Login
Login

Winston Western 500

{{short description|Defunct auto race formerly held in Riverside, United States}}

{{More citations needed|date=October 2021}}

{{Infobox motor race

| Race title = Winston Western 500

| Logo = 100px

| Track map = 200px

| Series long = NASCAR Winston Cup Series

| Series short = Winston Cup Series

| Venue = Riverside International Raceway

| Location = Moreno Valley, California

| Sponsor = Winston

| First race = 1958 Crown America 500

| Last race = 1987 Winston Western 500

| Distance = 311.8 miles (502 km)

| Laps = 119

| Previous names = Crown America 500 (1958)
Unnamed (1961)
Riverside 500 (1963)
Motor Trend 500 (1964–1971)
Winston Western 500 (1972–1987)

| Most wins driver = Dan Gurney (5)

| Most wins manufacturer = Ford (11)

}}

The Winston Western 500 was an annual NASCAR Winston Cup race held at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California, United States, 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 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.

Past winners

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
rowspan="2"|Year

! rowspan="2"|Date

! rowspan="2"|{{Tooltip|No.|Car number}}

! rowspan="2"|Driver

! rowspan="2"|Team

! rowspan="2"|Manufacturer

! colspan="2"|Race Distance

! rowspan="2"|Race Time

! rowspan="2"|Average Speed
(mph)

! rowspan="2"|Report

! rowspan="2"|Ref

Laps

! Miles (km)

1958

| June 1

|align="center"|98

| Eddie Gray

| Vel Miletich

| Ford

|align="center"|190

|align="center"|499.89 (804.494)

|align="center"|6:17:00

|align="center"|79.481

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1958 Crown America 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1958_Crown_America_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

align=center|1959
–
1960

|colspan=11 align=center| Not held

1961

| May 21

|align="center"|44

| Lloyd Dane

| Lloyd Dane

| Chevrolet

|align="center"|39

|align="center"|100.62 (161.932)

|align="center"|1:13:10

|align="center"|82.512

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1961-22|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1961-22/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1962

|colspan=11 align=center| Not held

1963

| January 20

|align="center"|28

| Dan Gurney

| Holman-Moody

| Ford

|align="center"|185

|align="center"|499.5 (803.867)

|align="center"|5:53:20

|align="center"| 84.965

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1963 Riverside 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1963_Riverside_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1964

| January 19

|align="center"|121

| Dan Gurney

| Wood Brothers Racing

| Ford

|align="center"|185

|align="center"|499.5 (803.867)

|align="center"|5:28:47

|align="center"|91.245

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1964 Motor Trend 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1964_Motor_Trend_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1965

| January 17

|align="center"|121

| Dan Gurney

| Wood Brothers Racing

| Ford

|align="center"|185

|align="center"|499.5 (803.867)

|align="center"|5:41:42

|align="center"|87.708

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1965 Motor Trend 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1965_Motor_Trend_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1966

| January 23

|align="center"|121

| Dan Gurney

| Wood Brothers Racing

| Ford

|align="center"|185

|align="center"|499.5 (803.867)

|align="center"|5:05:58

|align="center"|97.952

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1966 Motor Trend 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1966_Motor_Trend_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1967

| January 22

|align="center"|115

| Parnelli Jones

| Bill Stroppe

| Ford

|align="center"|185

|align="center"|499.5 (803.867)

|align="center"|5:29:03

|align="center"|91.08

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1967 Motor Trend 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1967_Motor_Trend_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1968

| January 21

|align="center"|121

| Dan Gurney

| Wood Brothers Racing

| Ford

|align="center"|186

|align="center"|502.2 (808.212)

|align="center"|4:57:55

|align="center"|100.598

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1968 Motor Trend 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1968_Motor_Trend_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1969

| February 1

|align="center"|43

| Richard Petty

| Petty Enterprises

| Ford

|align="center"|186

|align="center"|502.2 (808.212)

|align="center"|4:45:37

|align="center"|105.498

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1969 Motor Trend 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1969_Motor_Trend_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1970

| January 18

|align="center"|11

| A. J. Foyt

| Jack Bowsher

| Ford

|align="center"|193

|align="center"|505.66 (813.78)

|align="center"|5:11:19

|align="center"|97.45

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1970 Motor Trend 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1970_Motor_Trend_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1971

| January 10

|align="center"|96

| Ray Elder

| Fred Elder

| Dodge

|align="center"|191

|align="center"|500.42 (805.347)

|align="center"|4:57:55

|align="center"|100.783

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1971 Motor Trend 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1971_Motor_Trend_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1972

| January 23

|align="center"|43

| Richard Petty

| Petty Enterprises

| Plymouth

|align="center"|149*

|align="center"|390.38 (628.255)

|align="center"|3:45:11

|align="center"|104.016

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1972 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1972_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1973

| January 21

|align="center"|16

| Mark Donohue

| Penske Racing

| Matador

|align="center"|191

|align="center"|500.42 (805.347)

|align="center"|4:48:33

|align="center"|104.055

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1973 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1973_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1974

| January 26

|align="center"|11

| Cale Yarborough

| Richard Howard

| Chevrolet

|align="center"|191

|align="center"|500.42 (805.347)

|align="center"|4:56:52

|align="center"|101.14

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1974 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1974_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1975

| January 19

|align="center"|16

| Bobby Allison

| Penske Racing

| Matador

|align="center"|191

|align="center"|500.42 (805.347)

|align="center"| 5:04:25

|align="center"|98.627

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1975 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1975_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1976

| January 18

|align="center"|21

| David Pearson

| Wood Brothers Racing

| Mercury

|align="center"|191

|align="center"|500.42 (805.347)

|align="center"|5:02:44

|align="center"|99.18

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1976 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1976_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1977

| January 16

|align="center"|21

| David Pearson

| Wood Brothers Racing

| Mercury

|align="center"|119

|align="center"|311.78 (501.761)

|align="center"|2:54:46

|align="center"|107.038

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1977 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1977_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1978

| January 22

|align="center"|11

| Cale Yarborough

| Junior Johnson & Associates

| Oldsmobile

|align="center"|119

|align="center"|311.78 (501.761)

|align="center"|3:02:55

|align="center"|102.269

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1978 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1978_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1979

| January 14

|align="center"|88

| Darrell Waltrip

| DiGard Motorsports

| Chevrolet

|align="center"|119

|align="center"|311.78 (501.761)

|align="center"|2:53:30

|align="center"|107.82

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1979 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1979_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1980

| January 13/19*

|align="center"|88

| Darrell Waltrip

| DiGard Motorsports

| Chevrolet

|align="center"|119

|align="center"|311.78 (501.761)

|align="center"|3:16:58

|align="center"|94.974

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1980 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1980_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

rowspan="2"| 1981

| January 11

|align="center"|28

| Bobby Allison

| Ranier-Lundy

| Chevrolet

|align="center"|119

|align="center"|311.78 (501.761)

|align="center"|3:16:18

|align="center"|95.263

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1981 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1981_Winston_Western_500_%28January%29/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

November 22

|align="center"|28

| Bobby Allison

| Ranier-Lundy

| Buick

|align="center"|119

|align="center"|311.78 (501.761)

|align="center"|3:16:19

|align="center"|95.288

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1981 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1981_Winston_Western_500_%28November%29/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1982

| November 21

|align="center"|2

| Tim Richmond

| Jim Stacy

| Buick

|align="center"|119

|align="center"|311.78 (501.761)

|align="center"|3:07:24

|align="center"|99.823

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1982 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1982_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1983

| November 20

|align="center"|9

| Bill Elliott

| Melling Racing

| Ford

|align="center"|119

|align="center"|311.78 (501.761)

|align="center"|3:15:09

|align="center"|95.859

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1983 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1983_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1984

| November 18

|align="center"|5

| Geoffrey Bodine

| All-Star Racing

| Chevrolet

|align="center"|119

|align="center"|311.78 (501.761)

|align="center"|3:10:01

|align="center"|98.448

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1984 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1984_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1985

| November 17

|align="center"|15

| Ricky Rudd

| Bud Moore Engineering

| Ford

|align="center"|119

|align="center"|311.78 (501.761)

|align="center"|2:58:03

|align="center"|105.065

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1985 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1985_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1986

| November 16

|align="center"|25

| Tim Richmond

| Hendrick Motorsports

| Chevrolet

|align="center"|119

|align="center"|311.78 (501.761)

|align="center"|3:04:48

|align="center"|101.246

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1986 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1986_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

1987

| November 8

|align="center"|27

| Rusty Wallace

| Blue Max Racing

| Pontiac

|align="center"|119

|align="center"|311.78 (501.761)

|align="center"|3:10:49

|align="center"|98.035

| Report

|align="center"|{{cite web|title=1987 Winston Western 500|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1987_Winston_Western_500/W/|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=November 18, 2021}}

  • 1964: Two-time defending champion Joe Weatherly was killed instantly when he struck the turn 6 wall on lap 86. Weatherly was 41 years old.
  • 1972: Race shortened due to fog.
  • 1980: Race started on January 13; finished on January 19 because of rain.
  • 1984: Race delayed several hours due to rain during the day - NASCAR was able to get the race in with darkness threatening. The race ended close to sunset (5 PM PT).

=Multiple winners (drivers)=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
# Wins

! Manufacturer

! Years Won

5

| Dan Gurney

| 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968

3

| Bobby Allison

| 1975, 1981 (Jan), 1981 (Nov)

rowspan="5" | 2

| Richard Petty

| 1969, 1972

David Pearson

| 1976, 1977

Cale Yarborough

| 1974, 1978

Darrell Waltrip

| 1979, 1980

Tim Richmond

| 1982, 1986

=Multiple winners (manufacturers)=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
# Wins

! Manufacturer

! Years Won

11

| Ford

| 1958, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1983, 1985

7

| Chevrolet

| 1961, 1974, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986

rowspan="3" | 2

| Matador

| 1973, 1975

Mercury

| 1976, 1977

Buick

| 1981, 1982

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{Racing-Reference track|Riverside_International_Raceway|Riverside International Raceway}}

{{NASCAR Sprint Cup races}}

Category:Former NASCAR races

Category:Sports in Riverside, California