The Winston Western 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series stock car race held annually at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. Renowned for being one of the few road course races on the NASCAR schedule during its era, it was a significant event that tested drivers' skills on a different type of circuit compared to the more common oval tracks.
History and Naming
The race's history can be traced back to earlier events at Riverside. The "Western 500" designation, often referring to a fall event, predated Winston's sponsorship. From 1971, when R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company became the title sponsor of NASCAR's premier series, the race adopted the "Winston" prefix, becoming the Winston Western 500.
For much of its history, Riverside International Raceway hosted two Winston Cup races annually. The "Winston Western 500" name was applied to different events over time:
- 1971-1980: The name was primarily used for the fall event at Riverside.
- 1981-1987: Following a restructuring of the schedule, the name "Winston Western 500" was applied to the early-season (January/February) race, often serving as the season opener or second race of the year. The other annual race at Riverside (usually held in June) adopted names such as the Warner W. Hodgdon 400 or Budweiser 400.
The "500" in the name typically referred to 500 kilometers (approximately 310 miles) for many of these races, rather than 500 miles, reflecting a common practice for NASCAR races on shorter or road courses.
The Track
Riverside International Raceway was a 2.62-mile (4.22 km) road course featuring a long front straightaway, tight turns, and elevation changes. Its challenging layout required a different driving approach and car setup compared to the speedways and short tracks that dominated the NASCAR calendar. This made the Winston Western 500 a unique proving ground for drivers who specialized in road course racing or those who could adapt their driving styles.
Significance and Legacy
The Winston Western 500 was instrumental in showcasing road course racing in NASCAR, a discipline that, while less prevalent, was highly respected. It provided opportunities for drivers with sports car backgrounds to compete against stock car veterans. Notable winners included road course specialists and NASCAR legends alike, such as Dan Gurney, Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, and Terry Labonte.
The race came to an end with the closure of Riverside International Raceway after the 1987 season. The loss of Riverside left a void for road course racing in NASCAR, though events at Watkins Glen International later helped fill this gap. The Winston Western 500 is remembered as a classic and challenging event from a bygone era of NASCAR.