The 1985 Winston was an important race for Bill Elliot. RJ Reynolds had put up $1 million prize and Elliott was in the running for it. Elliott led twenty-five laps in the early going, battling Kyle Petty, Cale Yarborough, and Dale Earnhardt for fist place. However on the 48th lap of the 188 lap race at Talladega, an oil scavenger line broke in a puff of smoke. Elliott had to pit and lost two laps (5 miles) while repairs were made. When Elliott made it back on the track he turned sizzling laps at 205 mph. By lap 125, he made one lap up, by lap 145 he was back on the lead lap. Elliott passed Cale Yarborough and the rest was history.