Fans vote to invert all 10 cars in final segment

CONCORD, N.C. -- The fans have spoken -- and NASCAR listened.

Martina McBride and NASCAR.com's Ryan Smithson display the voting results. Credit: Tim Packman/TSI

Fans' votes via Pick the Pack on NASCAR.com have determined that all 10 cars remaining for the final 20-lap segment of The Winston would be inverted. It turned out to be a great decision for Ryan Newman, who blew by Tony Stewart to capture the win.

Nearly 450,000 votes were counted, with 60 percent requesting to have the entire 10-car field inverted for the final 20-lap sprint. The next closest was a six-car inversion, which was favored by 18 percent. Eleven percent wanted four or eight cars switched.

“This is so exciting for the fans of NASCAR to have a vote on the lineup,” said R.J. Reynolds spokesman Denny Darnell. “Just like some other sports, the fans of NASCAR should have a vote in the all-star race.

“NASCAR.com is the main source for the race fans and it’s great that they got to vote the way they did. It was called Pick the Pack, and that’s what they did.

“We think it’s great they get involved with something like this, too.”

The 18th running of The Winston included three segments determining who is the best of the best in NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing. But through the fans vote the test became that much more exciting this year.

"We are pleased that we could provide an outlet for the fans to cast their vote via Pick the Pack for the second year in The Winston," said Scott Bailey, vice president of operations for Turner Sports Interactive. "It's great to have the NASCAR fans help determine the lineup for the final segment and influence the race.

"Working with R.J. Reynolds Inc. and Lowe’s Motor Speedway on this project has been great. Once again, it has shown that race fans want to have their say by being a part of the event. NASCAR.com continues to get the fans closer to the action.

"The only thing left is to drop the green and see who's the best of the best in The Winston. The fans have done their part with the voting for the inversion, the rest is up to the drivers."