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Gordon, Martin and Jarrett Have Shot at Winston Leader Bonus

5 August 1997

    JEFF GORDON, MARTIN AND JARRETT HAVE SHOT AT WINSTON LEADER BONUS


WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston Leader Bonus has reached the $50,000 plateau 
for the second time this season as the NASCAR Winston Cop Series gears up for 
the annual Bud at the Glen.

Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and Dale Jarrett are the only drivers who have a 
mathematical chance at claiming the Winston Leader Bonus, which goes to any 
competitor who wins a race and is leading the NASCAR Winston Cup point 
standings at the conclusion of that event.

Gordon and Jarrett have combined to win all of the $150,000 paid out so far 
by Winston Leader Bonus sponsor R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Gordon has won 
$120,000, including an $80,000 payout after his win in the Pocono 500, while 
Jarrett owns $30,000.

The Winston Leader Bonus begins at $10,000 and increases by that same amount 
each week until there is a winner. A total of $320,000 will be awarded for 
the 1997 season. Since the Winston Leader Bonus was instituted at the start 
of the 1996 season, a total of $460,000 has been won with Gordon claiming 
$375,120.

Ricky Rudd's win in last week's Brickyard 400 moved him into eighth place in 
the NASCAR Winston Cup standings while Gordon's fourth-place showing helped 
him increase his points lead over second-place Martin to 79. Jarrett moved 
from fourth to third after the Brickyard 400 and trails Gordon by 147 points.

By Sports Marketing Enterprises