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NHRA: Winston Offers $3.3 Million No Bull Challenge Bonus

21 January 1999

LOS ANGELES -- NHRA Winston Drag Racing drivers will compete for bonuses totaling $3.3 million during the 1999 season, the 25th anniversary of the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. Greg Littell, vice president of operations for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.'s Sports Marketing Enterprises, today announced the creation of the Winston No Bull Challenge. At each of the 22 national events making up the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series, two drivers will be selected during pre-race ceremonies to compete for the Winston No Bull Challenge bonus. One driver will be selected from either Top Fuel or Funny Car and one driver will be selected from either Pro Stock or Pro Stock Motorcycle.

"We wanted to create a program that would be a fitting celebration of Winston's 25th anniversary," Littell said..

"The Winston No Bull Challenge will create additional race-day excitement during the 1999 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season. We wanted something the fans could follow that would celebrate our 25th anniversary and at the same time thank the competitors for their loyalty over the years."

The first pre-race drawing, held prior to final eliminations, will determine whether the contestant will come from Top Fuel or Funny Car. The next drawing will choose a number between one and 16, each representing one of the 16 qualifying positions. For example, if the No. 12 qualifier in Top Fuel is chosen and wins the race, that driver wins the $100,000 Winston No Bull Challenge bonus.

"It's a phenomenal program, said Kenny Bernstein, driver of the Budweiser King Top Fuel dragster. "It's absolutely outstanding. It's another wonderful program brought to us by Winston. They've done so much for this sport in the 25 years they've been involved, and the Winston No Bull Challenge will help the racers as well as the whole sport in general. We're very excited about the potential for a tremendous contribution to our bank accounts. When we put more funds in the accounts, it helps us continue to go on race."

The Pro Stock portion of the Winston No Bull Challenge will include Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle.

During events at which both classes compete, there will be a pre-race drawing to determine which class will be eligible. During events at which Pro Stock Motorcycle does not compete, a Pro Stock driver will be automatically eligible. Because they begin eliminations on Saturday, Pro Stock Trucks are not included in the Winston No Bull Challenge.

The Winston No Bull Challenge is worth $50,000 to the eligible Pro Stock winner and $25,000 to the eligible Pro Stock Motorcycle winner. If there is a winner in Top Fuel dragster/Funny Car portion of the Winston No Bull Challenge every week, a total of $2.2 million would be awarded. If there is a winner in the Pro Stock/Pro Stock Motorcycle portion every week, a total of $1.1 million could be awarded bringing the total Winston No Bull Challenge bonus to $3.3 million.