In the years prior to 1979, the only way NASCAR
fans could follow the race live was either listen to the Motor Racing Network
or actually be at the track. Any race that was broadcast on television was on
a tape delay basis. Those watching on TV saw the results well after it
ended. That changed in 1979 at
Daytona, when CBS took a chance and became the first to broadcast a
race live. In the first of this series, we take a look at the impact of the
1979
Daytona 500.
Through the history of auto racing, fans unable to
be at the track or who didn't listen to the Motor Racing Network had to wait
until at least a couple of hours or so for the conclusion to see what
happened. Any race that was broadcasted on TV was always done so on a tape
delayed basis. There were some who considered broadcasting a race live to be
a bit of a gamble. The fans watching on TV, for example, didn't see that
famous 1976 finish at the
Daytona 500 between
David Pearson and
Richard Petty until well after the checkered flag had dropped.
Then, finally, someone had decided to take that
gamble. After negotiating with
Bill France Jr., CBS became the first to broadcast a race live, flag to
flag, at the 1979
Daytona 500. Ken Squier and David Hobbs were in the booth with Chris
Economaki reporting from the pits.
Buddy Baker won the pole for the race, but went out after 38 laps
because of engine failure. After some early race problems, Donnie Allison and
Cale Yarborough became the story of the race. Both drivers set
themselves up to be in contention at the end of the race. Little did they, or
anyone else know, that they would make NASCAR history.
It came down to the race's final lap. Allison led
with Yarborough right behind them. Going onto the backstretch, Yarborough
then dove to the inside, below Allison. The two drivers raced door to door,
making contact that nearly put Yarborough into the grass off the
straightaway. Then the two hit each other again as they drove towards turn
three. As they entered the turn, both drivers lost control, went into the
wall, then skidded back across the track and ended up in the grass by turns
three and four. After the wreck,
Richard Petty and
Darrell Waltrip, who were in third and fourth, were racing for the
win.
Richard Petty would win his sixth
Daytona 500, beating Waltrip to the checkered flag.
But, things were only just beginning.
Donnie Allison's brother Bobby pulled along side
him and
Cale Yarborough who were out of their cars. That started one of the
most famous moments in NASCAR history. CBS was showing Richard Petty driving
down pit road heading towards the winner's circle, then the cameras switched
quickly to the back stretch, where the fight was starting. Ken Squier
screaming into his microphone "There is a fight!" as the cameras showed the
punches between Yarborough and the Allisons being thrown.
While
NASCAR may have frowned at the actions of the three at the time, it's
undeniable that it's one of the most enduring images in the sport's history.
The finish and the following fight became a topic of discussion among many
people around the country. It was a sign that
NASCAR had arrived on the national sports scene. Another sign was that
the events at
Daytona were on the front page of the sports section the next day in
The New York Times.
The weather in the country may have also been a
big help. A major snowstorm over a good part of the country forced many to
stay inside. There were a lot fewer television options back then that we have
today. Many tuned in to see what this
NASCAR and
Daytona 500 was all about. Many people that day became NASCAR fans for
life after seeing the passion and spectacle that the sport brings. The nation
had found itself another sport to follow.
The gamble had paid off for both
NASCAR and CBS. It help set the stage for future television contracts
for the sport. As for CBS, they became the broadcast network for "The Great
American Race" for the next two decades. The network would carry the
Daytona 500 every year afterwards until 2000.
By: CrimsonCowboy