Darlington II: Record payoff awaits winner

Record payoff awaits winner of Mountain Dew Southern 500.

DARLINGTON, S.C. (Aug. 30, 2002) - A record purse topping $4 million will be on the line when the green flag waves for the 53rd running of the Mountain Dew Southern 500 on Sunday at Darlington Raceway.

The posted awards for Sunday's race are $4,074,160 with the winner pocketing a minimum $149,355. Also included in the purse is a $200,000 bonus from Winston that could be awarded to the winning driver if he's also the Winston Cup championship leader following the race.

Sterling Marlin, the current points leader, stands the best chance of pocketing the $200,000 bonus. Marlin, who won the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 earlier this spring at Darlington, leads the Winston Cup championship standings by 95 points over Mark Martin.

Race weekend at Darlington kicks off on Friday, August 30 with Bud Pole Qualifying for both the NASCAR Busch and Winston Cup Series, followed by the Gatorade 200 NASCAR Busch Series race on Saturday, August 31.

Sunday, September 1 will feature the 53rd running of the Mountain Dew Southern 500. Ward Burton is the defending champion of that event. For tickets or more information, contact the Raceway ticket hotline at (843) 395-8499, or log onto www.darlingtonraceway.com.

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