1987 The Winston
The 1987 edition of The Winston was a stock car racing competition that took place on May 17, 1987. Held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, the 135-lap race was an exhibition race in the 1987 [NASCAR Winston Cup Series]. Bill Elliott of Melling Racing won the pole and led the most laps, but it was Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing who won the race in a move that would be known in NASCAR history as the Pass in the Grass.
This was Tim Richmond's second and final appearance in The Winston. Despite being eligible for the 1988 Winston, he opted not to participate due to a then-ongoing lawsuit against NASCAR after he was suspended for testing positive for banned substances early that year. He died of complications from AIDS on August 13, 1989.
Background
The 1987 All-Star Race featured a new eligibility rule that changed the race from the winners of the previous year to a new format that guaranteed a 20-car starting field. Exemptions to the race were awarded based on winners of the previous year and winners of the current season up to the last race before the All-Star Race, which for 1987 was the May Talladega round. In addition, the winner of the 1986 Atlanta Invitational, which is now regarded as the first All-Star Open, was invited to the race, along with the winner of the 1987 All-Star Open. As the field did not meet the minimum requirement of 19 cars, the remaining spots were awarded to the most recent winning drivers prior to the 1986 season.1987 The Winston drivers and eligibility
Race winners in 1986 and 1987
- 3-Dale Earnhardt
- 5-Geoff Bodine
- 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
- 9-Bill Elliott
- 11-Terry Labonte
- 15-Ricky Rudd
- 17-Darrell Waltrip
- 21-Kyle Petty
- 22-Bobby Allison
- 25-Tim Richmond
- 26-Morgan Shepherd
- 27-Rusty Wallace
- 28-Davey Allison
- 75-Neil Bonnett
1986 Atlanta Invitational winner
Race winners from previous years, not eligible by the above criteria, most recent win
- 29-Cale Yarborough
- 33-Harry Gant
- 50-Greg Sacks
- 43-Richard Petty
Winner of All-Star Open
- 88-Buddy Baker
Race summary
Segment 1
won the pole with a track record of. Buddy Baker made the starting grid by winning the Winston Open. Cale Yarborough served as the onboard camera car throughout the race. On the first lap, Dale Earnhardt and Geoff Bodine got loose and tangled with each other, with Earnhardt slightly hitting the turn three wall and both cars losing several positions in the process. Earnhardt eventually inched his way towards the top-five throughout the race. On lap 62, Neil Bonnett and Richard Petty collided in turn three, bringing out the first caution and ending their chances of finishing the race. Segment 1 ended on lap 76 with Elliott in first place.;Segment results
Segment 2
Baker retired on lap 95 due to a transmission failure while Harry Gant suffered engine problems on lap 121. Segment 2 ended on lap 126, with Elliott once again on the top spot.;Segment results
Segment 3
As Segment 3 began, Bodine attempted to pass in front of Elliott, but both cars tangled with Bodine spinning while Earnhardt took over the lead before the caution came out. With eight laps to go, Elliott closed in on Earnhardt and tapped him from behind. Earnhardt was sent to the infield grass, but he quickly recovered to maintain the lead in what has become known as the "pass in the grass". Both cars once again traded paint side-by-side, but the contact cut Elliott's left rear tire, forcing him to pit and go a lap down while Terry Labonte charged forward to challenge Earnhardt. Eventually, Earnhardt beat Labonte and Tim Richmond to win The Winston and earn $200,000.Following the race, a frustrated Elliott bumped Earnhardt before all cars returned to pit road and Earnhardt entered victory lane.