SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. - - An all-new comprehensive bonus plan for the top 20 teams, projected at $300,000, has been announced for drivers and car owners in the NASCAR Winston West Series for the 1998 season.
The plan was another of several major announcements made earlier this week at the NASCAR Winston West Series championship banquet in Las Vegas. NASCAR officials revealed that in addition to the new bonus plan, the series point fund would climb to $500,000 in 1998.
The bonus plan will be distributed to the top 20 drivers in the point standings and the top 10 owners in the standings. To qualify for the owner's plan, each owner must sign a performance contract and participate in each event. Drivers' awards will be based on point standings, rewarding the top drivers.
"This bonus plan offers a great reward to the drivers and teams that compete at every event on the schedule of the NASCAR Winston West Series," said Dennis Huth, vice president for administration at NASCAR. "This plan demonstrates the commitment that has been made by the host tracks to the series for 1998.
"We received a great response from the teams about this plan," Huth said. "They are very excited about the 1998 season, a year which will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of NASCAR."
The bonus paid to the drivers and owners will vary according to the event. Short-track races will offer a $15,000 bonus per event, while each superspeedway and road-course event will have a $20, -000 plan. A $45,000 bonus will be featured for each of the two biggest races of the season at Pikes Peak International Raceway and the season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
A race at Phoenix International Raceway and a second visit to California Speedway in Fontana, Calif.; highlight additions to the NASCAR Winston West Series schedule for 1998. The new events are tow of six superspeedway races on tap next season. An inaugural series race at Heartland Park Topeka (Kan.) will also be included in 1998.
In addition to the new bonus plan, representatives from NASCAR and series sponsor Winston this week announced a major increase to the series point fund for 1998. The Winston contribution will increase 500 percent, soaring form $50,000 to $300,000. The overall point fund amount, meanwhile, will climb to $500,000.
The series will kick off its season on Jan. 11 at Tucson (Ariz.) Raceway Park, with an event that is part of the venue's popular Winter Heat Program. Other events in 1998 include two stops at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif.; a race at Portland (Ore.) Speedway; a race at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash.; and a race at Altamont Raceway Park near Tracy, Calif.
In addition to the six superspeedway events on tap for 1998, there are six short-track races, along with the two road course events. The series will visit 11 tracks in seven states during the year.
Invited NASCAR Winston West Series drivers will join competitors from the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, the NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in a trip to Japan in November for a two-race stop at the 1.4 mile Suzuka Circuit road course in Suzuka City and the Twin Ring Motegi 1.49-mile superspeedway.
