Eligibility rules for The Winston:
1st criteria: Drivers and car owners who have won races in the current and preceding year. If a driver leaves a team with which he has won a race, he remains eligible and the car owner's new driver also is eligible(through the last race before The Winston)
2nd criteria: Drivers who are past Winston Cup champions
3rd criteria: Drivers who have won The Winston in the last 5 years(1998-2002)
4th criteria: The winning driver of the Winston Open
5th criteria: Drivers who have won in previous years, not eligible by the above(not owners, just drivers)