Winston Western 500

Winston Western 500
Venue Riverside International Raceway
Sponsor Winston
First race 1958
Distance 311.8 miles (502 km)
Laps 119
Previous names

Crown America 500 (1958)

Unnamed (1961)

Riverside 500 (1963)

Motor Trend 500 (19641971)

The Winston Western 500 was an annual NASCAR Winston Cup race held at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California, USA, in January, and then in later years, November. From 1963 to 1981, the race was held in January and was the season opening race. NASCAR elected to start its season with the Daytona 500 beginning in 1982, so a second Winston Western 500 was run in November to accommodate the change; the change resulted in Riverside hosting three Winston Cup races in 1981. The race ran in November from 1981 to 1987, serving as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series' final race of the year from 1981 to 1986. The race distance was 500 miles until 1977 when it was shortened to 311 miles (500 kilometers). The other race held at Riverside, the Budweiser 400, was held in June.

Contents

Race winners

Winston Western 500

Motor Trend 500

Riverside 500

Unnamed race

Crown America 500

Television broadcasters

Year Network Lap-by-lap Color commentator(s)
1987 TBS Ken Squier Johnny Hayes and Buddy Baker
1986 TBS Ken Squier Phil Parsons
1985 TBS Ken Squier Benny Parsons
1984 TBS Ken Squier Phil Parsons
1983 TBS Ken Squier Cale Yarborough
1982 NASCAR on TBS Ken Squier Buddy Baker

References

External links