1981 Indianapolis 500
Network: ABC
Date and time: May 24, 1981, 8:00 PM
Format: Tape-delayed
Length: 3 hours
Viewership: 17.1 million (-8%)
A three-hour edited version of the race was broadcast on same-day tape-delay, billed as an "ABC Sports Exclusive". During the race, a report was also aired of the World 600 NASCAR race. Dave Diles discussed the results and injuries suffered to Donnie Allison and Dick Brooks.
Though most of the race was tape-delayed, a live report was aired at 10:45 PM. It consisted of interviews with Mario Andretti and Tom Binford about the Bobby Unser infraction and possible protests of his win, an interview with Dr. Terry Trammell about the condition of the various injured drivers in the race, and a rundown of the results.
Like the race itself, the broadcast of the race was very controversial. On lap 149, Bobby Unser passed 14 cars under the yellow flag, and Mario Andretti also passed one or two. Since the broadcast was on tape delay it was known at the time that the infraction had occured, and it was reported on, and the infraction was also reported on during the live report at the end as mentioned. According to Wikipedia.org and various other sources, the broadcast was considered misleading for several reasons, including suggesting that Unser's infraction was immediately noticed (the commentary was added in post-production, they were already aware), not focusing on Andretti's infraction, stating that Bobby Unser was not available for comment, despite the fact that he later claimed that he was in the Howard Johnson's down the street and could've been interviewed, and Stewart singling out Unser's mistake in the commentary and saying he "should've known better". According to a Detroit Free Press interview in 1982, Unser took Jackie Stewart's comments very personally.
Personnel:
Host: Dave Diles
Announcers: Jim McKay, Jackie Stewart
Pit reporter: Chris Economaki
Garage/hospital reporter: Sam Posey
Methodist Hospital reports: Bill Flemming
Executive producer: Roone Arledge
Producers: Chuck Howard, Bob Goodrich
Associate producer: Ben Harvey
Coordinating producer: Dennis Lewin
Directors: Chet Forte, Roger Goodman
Associate directors: Norm Samet, Ned Simon, Bob Lanning
Technical directors: Werner Gunther, Les Weiss
Post-production: Jim Jennett, Larry Kamm
Spotters: Gary Gieller, Bruce Jacobi