New Division Announced

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 31, 1998)

The NASCAR Winston Racing Series, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's program for weekly short track racing, is expanding to include a second division that will be known as the Winston Shortrack Series.

Each of the nearly 100 NASCAR Winston Racing Series tracks across the country has designated a feature division that competes for local, regional and national recognition and a $1.3 million point fund. These same tracks now will select a second division to compete in the new Winston Shortrack Series.

"The NASCAR Winston Racing Series has developed a reputation for hosting the finest weekly short track racers in the country," said Tom Deery, NASCAR vice president for Winston Racing Series. "NASCAR is built on people, and the new Winston Shortrack Series is designed to provide enhanced recognition for more of the talented competitors who have helped build NASCAR racing into the leading form of motorsports in the country."

The Winston Shortrack Series, designated by each track, will include divisions such as Sportsman, Street Stock, Modified and Truck classes.

"Winston is pleased to help provide additional recognition to these talented and hard-working competitors," said Dan Henley, senior manager for the Winston Racing Series. "The Winston Shortrack Series also will help raise that track's designated series to a higher level."

To be eligible for a regional, and therefore national, championship recognition, drivers must compete in at least 16 events. The same rules and geographic regions will be administered as in the NASCAR Winston Racing Series. Regional standings will be posted on Thursdays. The final day of competition is Sunday, Sept. 13.

Each of the 10 regional champions, and the national champion, will be recognized and will receive a trophy at the NASCAR Winston Racing Series banquet at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.

The NASCAR Winston Racing Series, composed of both paved and dirt tracks, is the country's premier series for weekly short track racing. There are nearly 100 selected short tracks divided into 10 geographic regions ranging from Palmer, Ala., to Barberville, Fla., and from Tucson, Ariz., to Scarborough, Maine.

Source: NASCAR Online