The 1988 The Winston was the fourth running of the NASCAR All‑Star Race, an exhibition event featuring drivers who had won a points race during the 1987 season or the previous season's Winston Cup Series championship. The race was held on May 20, 1988 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.
Event format
The 1988 edition retained the three‑segment format introduced in 1987: a 70‑lap first segment, a 50‑lap second segment, and a 20‑lap shootout to determine the overall winner. A mandatory pit stop was required between the first and second segments. The total distance covered was 140 laps (approximately 222 miles).
Eligibility and field
Drivers qualified by meeting any of the following criteria: winning a Winston Cup points race in the 1987 season, winning a points race in 1986, or being the reigning Winston Cup Series champion. A fan vote also added one driver to the field. The final grid comprised 19 drivers representing 15 different teams.
Race summary
Bill Elliott, driving the Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Melling Racing, led the most laps (46) and won the race after a decisive pass on Dale Earnhardt in the final segment. Elliott's victory marked his second All‑Star win; his first had come in the inaugural 1985 event. The race was notable for a multi‑car incident on lap 45 that eliminated several contenders, including Terry Labonte and Rusty Wallace.
Prize and significance
The winner received a purse of $250,000, the largest prize awarded in a NASCAR event at the time. The All‑Star Race, sponsored by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company under its Winston brand, served as a showcase for manufacturers and sponsors, and it contributed to the ongoing popularity of short‑track, high‑intensity racing formats within the sport.
Legacy
The 1988 race is frequently cited in retrospective analyses of NASCAR's All‑Star history for its competitive field and dramatic finish. It reinforced the All‑Star Race's reputation as a marquee event separate from the regular season championship schedule.