Some media members and drivers argue that the Bristol Night Race is a Crown Jewel event as well.
From 1985 to 1997, NASCAR Cup Series sponsor Winston (cigarette) offered a one-million-dollar bonus to any driver who won three out of the four races in a single season.
Nine drivers have completed a Grand Slam, including Jeff Gordon, Bobby Allison, and Jimmie Johnson, who have accomplished the feat three different times.
The long established and recognized major events were as follows: Prior to 1985, no driver had ever won all four races in the same season.
LeeRoy Yarbrough won Daytona, Charlotte, and Darlington in 1969, prior to the introduction of Talladega Superspeedway.
From 1985 to 1997, R. J. Reynolds and brand sponsor Winston offered a US$1 million bonus to any driver who won three out of the four races (a "Small Slam") in a single calendar year season.
In the Winston Million program's first year (1985), Bill Elliott captured the million-dollar bonus, and the victory thrust him into superstardom.
After suffering mechanical problems at Charlotte, Elliott captured the million dollar bonus at Darlington, taking command after Cale Yarborough lost power steering.
The relative ease with which Elliott had won the Winston Million led many to believe that the bonus would be awarded fairly often in subsequent seasons.
Gordon clinched the Winston Million by winning the Southern 500, holding off a hard-charging Jeff Burton on the final lap.
A Brinks truck led him around the victory lap, spewing bags of Winston play money.
In 1998, in preparations for the 50th anniversary of NASCAR, R. J. Reynolds decided to revamp and reintroduce the million dollar award program.
In 1994, the inaugural Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was held, and for several years, actually dethroned the Daytona 500 as the richest race of the season.
The new program for 1998, titled the No Bull 5 (after a Winston marketing campaign) consisted of three legs of the original Grand Slam (Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500) along with the Brickyard 400.
[4][5][6] Some drivers and media members consider the Bristol Night Race as a fifth Crown Jewel event.
With the addition of this race, it became possible to win all four majors in a season to complete a Grand Slam, although that feat has never been accomplished.
With the move, NASCAR, the media, and drivers no longer referred to the event as a Crown Jewel during the time.