Claim: The 1971 1971 Motor Trend 500 was the first race in NASCAR's Winston Cup era (as it was sponsored by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company cigarette brand Winston), that saw Richard Petty finish first followed by Bobby Allison and Ray Elder in second and third place, respectively.
Evidence: The 1971 Motor Trend 500 was the first race in NASCAR's Winston Cup era (also known as the Winston Cup Grand National Series) that took place on January 10, 1971. From 1972, R.J. Reynolds was a title sponsor of the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and until 1993, the IMSA Camel GT for sportscars. Richard Petty Bobby Allison Ray Elder