NASCAR on television in the 1970s
One of the earliest telecasts of a NASCAR race was the 1960 Daytona 500, parts of which was presented as part of CBS Sports Spectacular, with announcer Bud Palmer.[1]
In the ensuing years, but before 1979, there were three main sources of NASCAR telecasts:[citation needed]
- ABC's Wide World of Sports, the sports anthology program, provided coverage of select NASCAR Winston Cup races in the 1970s. In 1971, it presented a 200-lap race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in its entirety, the first such broadcast of a NASCAR race. Throughout the 1970s, ABC presented portions of the Daytona 500, Southern 500, and other important races.
- In the late 1970s, CBS Sports Spectacular aired some races; like Wide World of Sports, they were taped and edited.
- Car and Track, a weekly auto racing show hosted by Bud Lindemann, recapped all of NASCAR's top-series races in the 1960s and 1970s in a weekly 30-minute syndicated show.
CBS Sports President Neal Pilson and motor-sports editor Ken Squier believed that America would watch an entire stock car race live on television. On February 18, 1979, CBS presented the first flag-to-flag coverage of the Daytona 500.[2] Richard Petty won NASCAR's crown-jewel race for the sixth time, but the big story was the post-race fight on the track's infield between Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison, who crashed together on the final lap while leading.[2] The race drew incredible ratings, in part due to the compelling action both on and off the track, and in part because a major snowstorm on the East Coast kept millions of viewers indoors.[3]
List of races televised
1970-1971
From 1962 to 1978, the Daytona 500 was shown on ABC's Wide World of Sports.[citation needed] During the 1960s and early 1970s, the race was filmed and an edited highlight package aired the following weekend.
During the period on Wide World of Sports, the booth announcers typically served as roving pit reporters during the running of the race, as well as interviewing in victory lane. The booth commentary was recorded in post-production.
Date | Event | Network | Lap-by-lap | Color commentator(s) | Reporters |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2/17 | Daytona 125 | ABC | Keith Jackson[31] | Chris Economaki | |
2/20 | Daytona 500[32] | ABC[33] | Keith Jackson | Chris Economaki | |
3/5 | Miller High Life 500 (Ontario) | ABC[34] | Jim McKay | Jackie Stewart[35] | Chris Economaki |
3/12 | Carolina 500 (Rockingham) | ABC[36] | Keith Jackson | Donnie Allison | Gary Campbell |
3/26 | Atlanta 500 | ABC[37] | Keith Jackson | Chris Economaki | Gary Campbell |
4/16 | Rebel 400 (Darlington) | ABC | Bill Flemming | Donnie Allison | |
7/4 | Firecracker 400 (Daytona) | ABC | Keith Jackson | Chris Economaki | |
9/4 | Southern 500[38] (Darlington) | ABC | Chris Economaki[39] | ||
10/8 | National 500 (Charlotte) | ABC | Keith Jackson | Roger Penske | Chris Economaki |
Date | Event | Network | Lap-by-lap | Color commentator(s) | Reporters |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2/15 | Twin 125's (Daytona) | ABC[40] | Jim McKay | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
2/18 | Daytona 500 | ABC[41] | Jim McKay | Jackie Stewart[42] | Chris Economaki |
4/1 | Atlanta 500 | ABC[43][44] | Keith Jackson | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
4/15 | Rebel 500 (Darlington) | ABC[45] | Bill Flemming | Jackie Stewart | |
7/4 | Firecracker 400 (Daytona) | ABC | Keith Jackson | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
8/12 | Talladega 500 (Talladega) | ABC | Bill Flemming | Jackie Stewart | |
9/3 | Southern 500 (Darlington) | ABC | Bill Flemming | Chris Economaki | |
10/7 | National 500 (Charlotte) | ABC | Keith Jackson | Roger Penske |
Date | Event | Network | Lap-by-lap | Color commentator(s) | Reporters |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2/14 | Twin 125's | ABC[46] | Keith Jackson | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
2/17 | Daytona 500[47] | ABC[48][49][50][51] | Keith Jackson | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
3/24 | Atlanta 500 (Atlanta) | ABC[52] | Keith Jackson[53] | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki[54] |
5/19 | Mason Dixon 500 (Dover) | ABC[55] | Bill Flemming | Chris Economaki | |
7/4 | Firecracker 400 (Daytona) | ABC[56] | Keith Jackson | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
8/11 | Talladega 500 (Talladega) | ABC[57] | Bill Flemming | Jackie Stewart | |
9/2 | Southern 500 (Darlington) | ABC[58][59] | Chris Economaki | Jackie Stewart | |
10/6 | National 500 (Charlotte) | ABC[60] | Jim McKay | Chris Economaki |
In 1974, ABC began the first semi-live coverage (joined-in-progress) of the Daytona 500. Coverage was normally timed to begin when the race was halfway over. Brief taped highlights of the start and early segments were shown, then ABC joined the race live already in progress, picking up approximately the last 90 minutes of the race. This format continued through 1978.
Date | Event | Network | Lap-by-lap | Color commentator(s) | Reporters |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2/13 | Twin 125's (Daytona) | ABC | Chris Economaki | Jackie Stewart | |
2/16 | Daytona 500 | ABC | Bill Flemming | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
3/23 | Atlanta 500 (Atlanta) | ABC | Jim McKay | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
4/19 | Rebel 500 (Darlington) | ABC | Keith Jackson | ||
5/4 | Winston 500 (Talladega) | CBS | Ken Squier | ||
5/25 | World 600 (Charlotte) | CBS | Ken Squier | ||
7/4 | Firecracker 400 (Daytona) | ABC | Keith Jackson | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
8/24 | Champion Spark Plug 400 (Michigan) | CBS | Ken Squier | Johnny Rutherford | |
9/1 | Southern 500 (Darlington) | ABC | Keith Jackson | Darel Dieringer | |
10/5 | National 500 (Charlotte) | ABC | Jim McKay | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
11/9 | Dixie 500 (Atlanta) | CBS | Ken Squier | Johnny Rutherford |
Date | Event | Network | Lap-by-lap | Color commentator(s) | Reporters |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2/15 | Daytona 500[61] | ABC | Bill Flemming | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
3/21 | Atlanta 500 | ABC | Bill Flemming | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
4/11 | Rebel 500 (Darlington) | ABC | |||
5/2 | Winston 500 (Talladega) | CBS | Ken Squier | ||
5/30 | World 600 (Charlotte) | CBS | Ken Squier | ||
6/13 | Riverside 400 | CBS | Ken Squier | Richard Petty | |
7/4 | Firecracker 400 (Daytona) | ABC | Bill Flemming | Sam Posey | Chris Economaki |
8/8 | Talladega 500 | CBS | Ken Squier | Lee Petty | |
8/22 | Champion Spark Plug 400 (Michigan) | CBS | Ken Squier | Bobby Unser and Ned Jarrett | |
9/6 | Southern 500 (Darlington) | ABC | Bill Flemming | Jackie Stewart | |
10/10 | National 500 (Charlotte) | ABC | Keith Jackson | Chris Economaki | |
11/7 | Dixie 500 (Atlanta) | CBS | Ken Squier | ||
11/21 | Los Angeles Times 500 (Ontario) | ABC | Jim McKay | Chris Economaki |
The 1976 Daytona 500 was held on the same day of the final day of competition in the Winter Olympics (also broadcast on ABC). ABC carried 30 minutes of live coverage of the start of the race, then switched to the Olympics for 90 minutes to carry taped coverage of the final two competitive events (a cross-country ski race and the final runs in the bobsled), held earlier that day. Then it was back to Daytona for about an hour-and-a-half for the finish.
Date | Event | Network | Lap-by-lap | Color commentator(s) | Reporters |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2/17 | Twin 125's (Daytona) | ABC | Jim McKay | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
2/20 | Daytona 500 | ABC[62] | Jim McKay | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
3/20 | Atlanta 500 (Atlanta) | ABC[63] | Keith Jackson | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
4/3 | Rebel 500[64] (Darlington) | ABC[65][66] | Keith Jackson | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
5/29 | World 600[67] (Charlotte) | CBS[68] | Ken Squier | David Hobbs | Brock Yates |
7/4 | Firecracker 400 (Daytona) | ABC | Bill Flemming | Chris Economaki | |
9/5 | Southern 500 (Darlington) | ABC[69] | Bill Flemming | Jackie Stewart | |
10/9 | National 500[70] (Charlotte) | ABC | Al Michaels | Chris Economaki | |
11/20 | Los Angeles Times 500[71] (Ontario) | CBS[72] | Ken Squier | David Hobbs | Brock Yates |
Year | Date | Event | Track | Network | Coverage | Lap-by-lap | Color commentator(s) | Pit Reporters |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1978 | February 16 | Twin 125's | Daytona | ABC | Highlights | Jim McKay | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki |
February 19 | Daytona 500 | Daytona | ABC | Live | Jim McKay | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki | |
March 19 | Atlanta 500 | Atlanta | ABC | Live | Al Michaels | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki | |
April 9 | Rebel 500 | Darlington | ABC | Live | Jim McKay | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki | |
May 28 | World 600 | Charlotte | CBS | Highlights | Ken Squier | David Hobbs | Brock Yates | |
June 18 | Gabriel 400 | Michigan | ABC | Highlights | Al Michaels | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki | |
July 4 | Firecracker 400 | Daytona | ABC | Highlights | Jim McKay | Chris Economaki | ||
September 4 | Southern 500 | Darlington | ABC | Highlights | Keith Jackson | Chris Economaki | ||
October 8 | National 500 | Charlotte | ABC | Highlights | Jim McKay | Jackie Stewart | Chris Economaki | |
November 19 | Los Angeles Times 500 | Ontario | CBS | Highlights | Ken Squier | David Hobbs | Brock Yates |
In 1979, CBS instituted the live "flag-to-flag" coverage policy.[101][102] The ground-breaking 1979 broadcast ushered in the 22-year run of NASCAR on CBS.
During its entire run from 1979 to 2000, CBS also carried the Busch Clash (live), and in most years, carried the Twin 125s (tape-delayed).
See also
- NASCAR on television in the 1960s
- List of Daytona 500 broadcasters
- List of Wide World of Sports (American TV series) announcers
- List of events broadcast on Wide World of Sports (American TV series)
References
- ^ Ryan McGee (2007). ESPN Ultimate NASCAR. ESPN Books. pp. 42–43. ISBN 978-1-933060-25-5.
- ^ a b "1979: Petty winds up in 'fist' place". January 23, 2003. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
- ^ McGee, Ryan (January 14, 2008). "Dramatic '79 Daytona 500 put NASCAR on the worldwide map". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
- ^ 1970 Daytona 500 on YouTube
- ^ 1970 Alabama 500 on YouTube
- ^ Kahn, Bernard (April 10, 1970). "Db Dodgers Sef To Launch 1970 Season Bernard Kahn. Ports F. ..." Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ Smothers, Jimmy (March 15, 1970). "Gadsden Times - Page 5". Gadsden Times. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ Kahn, Bernard (April 13, 1970). "Viewers Wonder... Who Won - Page 10". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ "Alabama 500 Viewed Live And In Dolor - Page 26". Schenectady Gazette. April 11, 1970. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ 1970 NASCAR Grand National Gwyn Staley 400 @ North Wilkesboro (Full Race) on YouTube
- ^ "1970 Alabama 500". NASCAR on TV. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ 1970 Rebel 400 on YouTube
- ^ "Darlington Trials Begin Today. - Page 23". Youngstown Vindicator. May 6, 1970. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ 1970 Firecracker 400 on YouTube
- ^ 1970 Nashville 420 on YouTube
- ^ "Yarbrough In Pole Slot. - Page 14". The Tuscaloosa News. July 25, 1970. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ "Yarbrough Takes Nashville's Pole. - Page 10". Rome News-Tribune. July 26, 1970. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ 1970 SOUTHERN 500 on YouTube
- ^ 1970 National 500 on YouTube
- ^ 1971 Daytona 500 on YouTube
- ^ Kahn, Bernard (February 6, 1971). "Jobs - Page 9". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ Lahman, Sean (May 11, 2018). "Auto racing legend Maynard Troyer dies at 79". Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Moore, Lee (November 29, 1970). "Network Of Sports. Auto Racing Key Sport Abc For Abc. - Page 32". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ "Atlanta 500 Off Today With A 40-Car Field. - Page 15". Times Daily. April 3, 1971. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ 1971 Greenville 200 on YouTube
- ^ Granger, Gene (March 18, 1971). "Squelches Retirement Rumors. Pearson Returns To Circuit In ..." Herald-Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ "Herald-Journal - Page 9". Herald-Journal. March 19, 1971. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ "Richest Race To Be Aired. - Page 10". The Sumter Daily Item. April 10, 1971. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ Chapman, Buddy (May 19, 1971). "The Times-News - Page 5". The Times-News. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ Carlson, Tim (July 5, 1971). "His Hood Is Down Now Bobby Isaac Sits On Winning Car In ... - Page 13". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ Kahn, Bernard (February 18, 1972). "Abc To Televise Iii Fated Races. - Page 10". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ 1972 Daytona 500 on YouTube
- ^ "Auto Racing Notes. - Page 13". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. February 6, 1972. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ Granger, Gene (March 28, 1972). "Airplane Oil Was Allison's Secret. - Page 6". Herald-Journal.
- ^ Allan, Chris (February 22, 1972). "Meet Jackie Stewart, Actor . - Page 32". The Montreal Gazette. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ Britt, Bloys (March 13, 1972). "Bobby Isaac Triumphs In Carolina 500 Race. - Page 7". Waycross Journal-Herald. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ "Bobby Allison Of Pole Sitter. - Page 26". The Telegraph-Herald. March 26, 1972. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ 1972 Southern 500 on YouTube
- ^ Granger, Gene (September 5, 1972). "After Southern 500 Wrecks. It Was Buck. Passing Time. - Page 6". Herald-Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ "Abc-Tv To Show Twin 125 Mile Races. - Page 86". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. February 11, 1973. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Commissioner Kuhn. Weekly Races Begin In March At Nsb. - Page 12". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. February 24, 1973. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Not Necessary, But It Probably Helps. - Page 9". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. February 17, 1973. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Stackers Running At Atlanta Sunday. - Page 36". Lewiston Morning Tribune. April 1, 1973. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Racers Ready For 14th Lual Atlanta 4500'. - Page 15". The Robesonian. April 1, 1973. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Auto Racing May Feel Fuel Shortage Effect. - Page 26". The Robesonian. April 12, 1973. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "1974 Twin 125s". NASCAR on TV. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ 1974 Daytona 500 on YouTube
- ^ "Daytona Beach Morning Journal - Page 10". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. February 11, 1974. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Granger, Gene (February 14, 1974). "South Carolina Blacked Out In Daytona Coverage. - Page 18". Herald-Journal. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Granger, Gene (February 16, 1974). "Pearson At Head Of Pack For Abbreviated 500. - Page 14". Herald-Journal. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "Pearson Wins 20th Pole. - Page 7". Post Daily News. February 12, 1974. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "A Pson Victory In In Atlanta 500 Sound Could Sound Endforbig ..." Gadsden Times. March 24, 1974. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "National Invitation Ornament Tournament Will Com. - Page 16". Frederick Daily Leader. March 24, 1974.
- ^ Chapman, Buddy (April 2, 1974). "National Ii Remark Irks Cecil Gordon.. Marcis Ready To Race ..." The Times-News. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Dresser, Norman (May 15, 1974). "Toledo Blade - Page 1". Front Cover Toledo Blade. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "Detroit, Honolulu, New York, Orlando, Portland, And Hous Ton - Page 10". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. August 3, 1974. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "1974 Talladega 500". NASCAR on TV. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "The Dispatch - Page 14". The Dispatch. September 27, 1974. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "Globetrotters In London And Car Races. - Page 9". The Southeast Missourian. September 27, 1974. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "1974 National 500". NASCAR on TV. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ 1976 Daytona 500 on YouTube
- ^ "The Robesonian - Page 15". The Robesonian. February 20, 1977. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ Garrett, Jerry (March 17, 1977). "Speed Weeks Over But They're Still Riding At Big D. - Page 24". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ 1977 Rebel 500 on YouTube
- ^ "...I. S. Inning Rebel Rebel 500. Ends Under Caution Wreck ... - Page 14". The Bladen Journal. April 7, 1977. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ Hembree, Mike (April 2, 1977). "Familiar Drivers Favored At Rebel 500. - Page 48". Herald-Journal. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ 1977 World 600 on YouTube
- ^ "Baltimore Afro-American - Page 11". Baltimore Afro-American. June 11, 1977. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Leonard Pro Debut On Abc Wide World. - Page 28". Schenectady Gazette. September 24, 1977. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ 1977 NAPA National 500 on YouTube
- ^ 1977 Los Angeles Times 500 on YouTube
- ^ "Keebler Choc Drop Cookies. - Page 6". The Nevada Daily Mail. November 25, 1977. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Daytona Twin 125s (Full Highlight Program) on YouTube
- ^ "Saturday February 17. Mil Youngstown Vindicator Fifteen. ... - Page 10". Youngstown Vindicator. February 17, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ Full Race Replay: 1979 Daytona 500 on YouTube
- ^ Pearce, Hembree, Al, Mike (December 31, 2023). "How Cale Yarborough And CBS' Gamble On The 1979 Daytona 500 Put NASCAR On The Map".
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Jensen, Tom (April 19, 2023). "KEN SQUIER AND THE 1979 DAYTONA 500". NASCAR Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Television Highlights. - Page 6". Times-Union. February 16, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "The Robesonian - Page 42". The Robesonian. March 18, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ Bupp, Phillip (August 18, 2023). "New 'NASCAR Classics' site provides plenty of hidden gems, including Al Michaels on commentary". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ 1979 Winston Cup Rebel 500 part 1 of 3 on YouTube
- ^ "Waltrip Beats Petty, Allison In Rebel 500. - Page 66". The Victoria Advocate. April 7, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Building the Foundation of MRN". MRN.com. October 1, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Times-Union - Page 6". Times-Union. July 16, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Ongest Nascar Race. - Page 163". The Calgary Herald J. June 15, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Us Open Televised This Weekend. - Page 60". The Sumter Daily Item. June 13, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ 1979 Michigan 400 on YouTube
- ^ 1979 Firecracker 400 on YouTube
- ^ 1979 Talladega 500 on YouTube
- ^ Biddle, Joe (August 4, 1979). "Motorsports Joe Bidd. - Page 65". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ Parham, Steve (August 3, 1979). "By Steve Parham. - Page 7". The Times-News. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ Knowler, Brad (August 3, 1979). "Sports Notes. - Page 123". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ 1979 Southern 500 @ Darlington on YouTube
- ^ "...30 Minutes Once Upon - Page 39". The Daily Union Democrat. September 21, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup NAPA National 500 @ Charlotte Motor Speedway (Full Race) on YouTube
- ^ "Rimes-Union - Page 7". Times-Union. October 26, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Weekend Highlights. - Page 5". Times-Union. October 27, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Baker Readies For Napa 500. - Page 21". The Robesonian. October 21, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ 1979 Los Angeles Times 500 Part 1 of 3 on YouTube
- ^ "Ellensburg Daily Record - Page 8". Ellensburg Daily Record. December 1, 1979. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ Mark Aumann (January 23, 2003). "1979: Petty winds up in 'fist' place". Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved 2007-06-09.
- ^ "1979 Daytona 500". Amazon. 27 January 2004. Retrieved 2007-06-09.
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- t
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Lap-by-lap | |
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Color commentators | |
Pit reporters |
|
Studio anchors |
(Texas)
(Charlotte)
(Michigan)
(Daytona)
(Atlanta)
- CBS Sports Spectacular
- NASCAR on television and radio
- NASCAR on TNN
- Don Robertson
- Mark Wood (theme music composer, 1995-1997)