What Is 1983 NASCAR Winston West Series

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1983 NASCAR Winston West Series was the 25th season of the regional stock car racing series, featuring 17 races across the western United States, with Roy Smith winning the championship by a narrow margin over Jim Williams.

Key Facts

The 1983 NASCAR Winston West Series was the 25th season of the regional touring series
Roy Smith won the 1983 championship with 4,460 points, narrowly defeating Jim Williams
There were 17 total races held from March to November 1983
The series visited 11 different tracks, including Phoenix International Raceway and Mesa Marin
Jim Williams won the most races in 1983 with 4 victories

Overview

The 1983 NASCAR Winston West Series marked the 25th season of one of NASCAR’s longest-running regional touring divisions. Designed to develop talent and promote stock car racing in the western United States, the series served as a crucial stepping stone for drivers aiming for the national Winston Cup Series.

This season featured a competitive 17-race schedule across California, Arizona, and Washington, drawing regional legends and rising stars. The championship battle came down to the wire, highlighting the series' growing prestige and tight competition.

Roy Smith captured his second Winston West title in 1983, finishing with 4,460 points just ahead of Jim Williams.
The season began on March 20, 1983, at Phoenix International Raceway, where Jim Williams claimed the opening victory.
There were 17 official races held between March and November, making it one of the more condensed regional schedules of the era.
Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, California, hosted four events, the most of any track during the 1983 season.
Jim Williams won a series-high 4 races but finished second in points due to consistency issues later in the season.

How It Works

The NASCAR Winston West Series operated under a points-based championship system similar to NASCAR’s national series, rewarding consistency, finishes, and race wins. Each event contributed to the driver’s overall standing, with bonus points for leading laps and winning.

Points System: Drivers earned points based on finishing position, with 175 points for a win and scaled reductions down to last place. Bonus points were awarded for leading a lap and leading the most laps.
Race Format: Most races were 100 to 200 miles long, typically lasting under two hours, and featured 25 to 30 entries depending on the track.
Eligible Cars: Vehicles had to meet Generation 3 NASCAR specifications, including V8 engines, rear-wheel drive, and strict body templates to ensure parity.
Driver Eligibility: Competitors needed a valid NASCAR license and had to qualify individually for each event through time trials or provisional entries.
Track Types: The series raced on a mix of ovals from 0.25 to 1.0 mile, including short tracks, paved bullrings, and one intermediate circuit at Phoenix.
Sponsorship Model: The series was titled-sponsored by R.J. Reynolds' Winston brand, which also backed the national series, providing prize money and promotional support.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1983 NASCAR Winston West Series with the contemporary NASCAR Winston Cup Series:

Feature	Winston West Series	Winston Cup Series
Number of Races	17	30
Champion	Roy Smith	Darrell Waltrip
Top Car Count	30 cars (Mesa Marin)	40+ cars (Daytona 500)
Prize Pool (Avg. per Race)	$15,000–$25,000	$100,000–$200,000
Primary Sponsor	Winston (R.J. Reynolds)	Winston (R.J. Reynolds)

The Winston West Series operated on a much smaller scale than the national Winston Cup Series but played a vital role in driver development. Many competitors used it as a proving ground before moving east to compete in NASCAR’s top division. Despite lower purses and media attention, the competition remained fierce and technically demanding.

Why It Matters

The 1983 season was pivotal in cementing the Winston West Series as a respected developmental league within NASCAR’s ecosystem. Its role in nurturing regional talent and maintaining grassroots racing culture cannot be overstated.

Roy Smith’s championship made him one of the few drivers to win multiple Winston West titles, boosting his national profile.
The series helped launch the careers of future Cup drivers, including Geoff Bodine, who ran select West races.
Tracks like Mesa Marin became iconic due to their frequent inclusion, preserving short-track racing traditions.
NASCAR used the series to test rule changes and safety innovations before national rollout.
The Winston sponsorship unified branding across divisions, strengthening NASCAR’s market presence.
Regional series like this ensured NASCAR maintained a coast-to-coast footprint, expanding its national appeal.

Ultimately, the 1983 NASCAR Winston West Series was more than just a regional circuit—it was a cornerstone of stock car racing’s growth, blending competition, opportunity, and community in a way that still influences NASCAR’s structure today.