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NASCAR on television in the 1970s

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Main article: NASCAR on television and radio

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

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1970-1971

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Year Date Event Track Network Coverage Lap-by-lap Color commentator(s) Reporters
1970 February 22 Daytona 500[4] Daytona ABC Highlights Keith Jackson Chris Economaki
April 22 Alabama 500[5] Talladega ABC[6][7][8] Live Bill Flemming[9] Keith Jackson Bob Montgomery
April 18 Gwyn Staley 400[10] North Wilkesboro ABC[11] Live Jim McKay Chris Economaki Bob Montgomery
May 9 Rebel 400[12] Darlington ABC[13] Live Jim McKay Ned Jarrett Bob Montgomery
May 24 World 600 Charlotte ABC Live Keith Jackson Chris Economaki Bob Montgomery
July 4 Firecracker 400[14] Daytona ABC Highlights Jim McKay Chris Economaki Bob Montgomery
July 25 Nashville 420[15] Fairgrounds ABC[16][17] Live Jim McKay Chris Economaki Bob Montgomery
September 7 Southern 500[18] Darlington ABC Highlights Bill Flemming Chris Economaki
October 4 Wilkes 400 North Wilkesboro ABC Highlights Jim McKay Chris Economaki
October 11 National 500[19] Charlotte ABC Highlights Jim McKay Chris Economaki
1971 February 11 Twin 125's Daytona ABC Highlights Keith Jackson Chris Economaki
February 14 Daytona 500[20] Daytona ABC[21] Highlights Keith Jackson[22] Chris Economaki
April 4 Atlanta 500 Atlanta ABC[23][24] Live Bill Flemming Chris Economaki
April 10 Greenville 200[25] Greenville-Pickens ABC[26][27] Live Jim McKay[28] Chris Economaki Ken Squier
May 2 Rebel 400 Darlington ABC Highlights Keith Jackson Chris Economaki
May 16 Winston 500 Talladega ABC[29] Highlights Bill Flemming Chris Economaki
July 4 Firecracker 400 Daytona ABC Highlights Keith Jackson Chris Economaki[30]
August 6 Myers Brothers 250 Bowman Gray ABC Highlights Jim McKay Chris Economaki
September 6 Southern 500 Darlington ABC Highlights Bill Flemming Chris Economaki
October 10 National 500 Charlotte ABC Highlights Keith Jackson Chris Economaki

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. In the event of a three person team only the pit reporter would be reporting while commentary was separately recording. The booth commentary was recorded in post-production.

1972

[edit]
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

1973

[edit]
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

1974

[edit]
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.

1975

[edit]
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

1976

[edit]
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 Lee Petty Ned Jarrett
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.

1977-1979

[edit]
Year Date Event Track Network Coverage Commentary Pit Reporters
Lap-by-lap Color
1977 February 17 Twin 125's Daytona ABC Highlights Jim McKay Jackie Stewart Chris Economaki
February 20 Daytona 500 Daytona ABC Live Jim McKay Jackie Stewart Chris Economaki
March 20 Atlanta 500 Atlanta ABC Live Keith Jackson Jackie Stewart Chris Economaki
April 3 Rebel 500 Darlington ABC Live Keith Jackson Jackie Stewart Chris Economaki
May 29 World 600 Charlotte CBS Highlights Ken Squier David Hobbs Brock Yates
July 4 Firecracker 400 Daytona ABC Highlights Bill Flemming Chris Economaki
August 7 Talladega 500 Talladega CBS Highlights Ken Squier Lee Petty
September 5 Southern 500 Darlington ABC Highlights Bill Flemming Jackie Stewart
October 8 National 500 Charlotte ABC Highlights Al Michaels Chris Economaki
November 20 Los Angeles Times 500 Ontario CBS Highlights Ken Squier David Hobbs Brock Yates
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 8 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
August 6 Talladega 500 Talladega CBS Highlights Ken Squier Lee Petty
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
1979 February 11 Busch Clash Daytona CBS Live Ken Squier David Hobbs Brock Yates
February 15 Twin 125's Daytona CBS Highlights Ken Squier David Hobbs Ned Jarrett
Brock Yates
February 18 Daytona 500 Daytona CBS Live Ken Squier David Hobbs Ned Jarrett
Brock Yates
March 18 Atlanta 500 Atlanta ABC Highlights Al Michaels Jackie Stewart Chris Economaki
April 3 Rebel 500 Darlington ABC Live Jim McKay Jackie Stewart Chris Economaki
April 22 Virginia 500 Martinsville MRN TV Highlights Jack Arute Ned Jarrett
April 29 Winston 500 Talladega MRN TV Highlights Jack Arute Ned Jarrett
May 27 World 600 Charlotte CBS Highlights Ken Squier David Hobbs Ned Jarrett
Brock Yates
June 17 Gabriel 400 Michigan ABC Highlights Al Michaels Jackie Stewart Chris Economaki
July 4 Firecracker 400 Daytona ABC Highlights Keith Jackson Sam Posey Chris Economaki
August 5 Talladega 500 Talladega CBS Live Ken Squier Lee Petty Ned Jarrett
Brock Yates
September 3 Southern 500 Darlington ABC Highlights Bill Flemming Jackie Stewart
October 7 National 500 Charlotte NBC Highlights Paul Page Johnny Rutherford
November 18 Los Angeles Times 500 Ontario CBS Highlights Ken Squier David Hobbs Brock Yates

In 1979, CBS instituted the live "flag-to-flag" coverage policy.[62][63] 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

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ryan McGee (2007). ESPN Ultimate NASCAR. ESPN Books. pp. 42–43. ISBN 978-1-933060-25-5.
  2. ^ a b "1979: Petty winds up in 'fist' place". January 23, 2003. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  3. ^ McGee, Ryan (January 14, 2008). "Dramatic '79 Daytona 500 put NASCAR on the worldwide map". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  4. ^ 1970 Daytona 500 on YouTube
  5. ^ 1970 Alabama 500 on YouTube
  6. ^ Kahn, Bernard (April 10, 1970). "Db Dodgers Sef To Launch 1970 Season Bernard Kahn. Ports F. ..." Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  7. ^ Smothers, Jimmy (March 15, 1970). "Gadsden Times - Page 5". Gadsden Times. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  8. ^ Kahn, Bernard (April 13, 1970). "Viewers Wonder... Who Won - Page 10". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  9. ^ "Alabama 500 Viewed Live And In Dolor - Page 26". Schenectady Gazette. April 11, 1970. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  10. ^ 1970 NASCAR Grand National Gwyn Staley 400 @ North Wilkesboro (Full Race) on YouTube
  11. ^ "1970 Alabama 500". NASCAR on TV. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  12. ^ 1970 Rebel 400 on YouTube
  13. ^ "Darlington Trials Begin Today. - Page 23". Youngstown Vindicator. May 6, 1970. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  14. ^ 1970 Firecracker 400 on YouTube
  15. ^ 1970 Nashville 420 on YouTube
  16. ^ "Yarbrough In Pole Slot. - Page 14". The Tuscaloosa News. July 25, 1970. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  17. ^ "Yarbrough Takes Nashville's Pole. - Page 10". Rome News-Tribune. July 26, 1970. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  18. ^ 1970 SOUTHERN 500 on YouTube
  19. ^ 1970 National 500 on YouTube
  20. ^ 1971 Daytona 500 on YouTube
  21. ^ Kahn, Bernard (February 6, 1971). "Jobs - Page 9". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  22. ^ Lahman, Sean (May 11, 2018). "Auto racing legend Maynard Troyer dies at 79". Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ "Atlanta 500 Off Today With A 40-Car Field. - Page 15". Times Daily. April 3, 1971. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  25. ^ 1971 Greenville 200 on YouTube
  26. ^ Granger, Gene (March 18, 1971). "Squelches Retirement Rumors. Pearson Returns To Circuit In ..." Herald-Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  27. ^ "Herald-Journal - Page 9". Herald-Journal. March 19, 1971. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  28. ^ "Richest Race To Be Aired. - Page 10". The Sumter Daily Item. April 10, 1971. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  29. ^ Chapman, Buddy (May 19, 1971). "The Times-News - Page 5". The Times-News. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ Kahn, Bernard (February 18, 1972). "Abc To Televise Iii Fated Races. - Page 10". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  32. ^ 1972 Daytona 500 on YouTube
  33. ^ "Auto Racing Notes. - Page 13". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. February 6, 1972. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  34. ^ Granger, Gene (March 28, 1972). "Airplane Oil Was Allison's Secret. - Page 6". Herald-Journal.
  35. ^ Allan, Chris (February 22, 1972). "Meet Jackie Stewart, Actor . - Page 32". The Montreal Gazette. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  36. ^ Britt, Bloys (March 13, 1972). "Bobby Isaac Triumphs In Carolina 500 Race. - Page 7". Waycross Journal-Herald. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  37. ^ "Bobby Allison Of Pole Sitter. - Page 26". The Telegraph-Herald. March 26, 1972. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  38. ^ 1972 Southern 500 on YouTube
  39. ^ Granger, Gene (September 5, 1972). "After Southern 500 Wrecks. It Was Buck. Passing Time. - Page 6". Herald-Journal. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  40. ^ "Abc-Tv To Show Twin 125 Mile Races. - Page 86". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. February 11, 1973. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  41. ^ "Commissioner Kuhn. Weekly Races Begin In March At Nsb. - Page 12". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. February 24, 1973. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  42. ^ "Not Necessary, But It Probably Helps. - Page 9". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. February 17, 1973. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  43. ^ "Stackers Running At Atlanta Sunday. - Page 36". Lewiston Morning Tribune. April 1, 1973. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  44. ^ "Racers Ready For 14th Lual Atlanta 4500'. - Page 15". The Robesonian. April 1, 1973. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  45. ^ "Auto Racing May Feel Fuel Shortage Effect. - Page 26". The Robesonian. April 12, 1973. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  46. ^ "1974 Twin 125s". NASCAR on TV. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  47. ^ 1974 Daytona 500 on YouTube
  48. ^ "Daytona Beach Morning Journal - Page 10". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. February 11, 1974. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  49. ^ Granger, Gene (February 14, 1974). "South Carolina Blacked Out In Daytona Coverage. - Page 18". Herald-Journal. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  50. ^ Granger, Gene (February 16, 1974). "Pearson At Head Of Pack For Abbreviated 500. - Page 14". Herald-Journal. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  51. ^ "Pearson Wins 20th Pole. - Page 7". Post Daily News. February 12, 1974. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  52. ^ "A Pson Victory In In Atlanta 500 Sound Could Sound Endforbig ..." Gadsden Times. March 24, 1974. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  53. ^ "National Invitation Ornament Tournament Will Com. - Page 16". Frederick Daily Leader. March 24, 1974.
  54. ^ Chapman, Buddy (April 2, 1974). "National Ii Remark Irks Cecil Gordon.. Marcis Ready To Race ..." The Times-News. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  55. ^ Dresser, Norman (May 15, 1974). "Toledo Blade - Page 1". Front Cover Toledo Blade. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  56. ^ "Detroit, Honolulu, New York, Orlando, Portland, And Hous Ton - Page 10". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. August 3, 1974. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  57. ^ "1974 Talladega 500". NASCAR on TV. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  58. ^ "The Dispatch - Page 14". The Dispatch. September 27, 1974. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  59. ^ "Globetrotters In London And Car Races. - Page 9". The Southeast Missourian. September 27, 1974. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  60. ^ "1974 National 500". NASCAR on TV. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  61. ^ 1976 Daytona 500 on YouTube
  62. ^ 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.
  63. ^ "1979 Daytona 500". Amazon. 27 January 2004. Retrieved 2007-06-09.
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