1981 Michigan 500

Network: NBC

Date and time:

July 19, 1981, 2:00 PM (planned)

July 25, 1981, 2:00 PM (actual)

Format: Live

Length:

3 and a half hours (planned for 19th)

1 and a half hours (19th)

4 hours (planned for 25th)

5 hours and 45 minutes (actual for 25th)

The race was televised live and flag-to-flag on NBC. It was the first 500-mile race to be televised live, and flag-to-flag.

The race was planned to be aired as part of NBC Sportsworld, along with coverage of the Tour De France, time permitting. However, due to rain, the start of the race was delayed, and at 3:20 PM, after 1 hour and 20 minutes of waiting, the race was announced to be postponed to Sunday. NBC filled the time with various interviews and features, as well as recap of the previous day's qualifying race, before going to Tour de France coverage.

When the race ran on Saturday, it was ran live and flag-to-flag as part of "NBC Sports Summer Season", alongside a baseball strike update and thoroughbred racing coverage, time permitting. During the race, a fire in the pits of Herm Johnson caused a 1 hour and 37 minute red flag. NBC filled the time with interviews and features, as well as briefly breaking away from the coverage for an update on 1981's MLB baseball strike, as well as for thoroughbred racing coverage. Due to the red flag as well as the length of the race in general, the coverage went well past the planned 6:00 PM sign-off time. In the west coast, coverage continued uninterrupted through the end of the race, and after nearly six hours the marathon broadcast signed off well past schedule at 7:45 PM. In the central and eastern time zones, many stations diverted coverage for NBC Nightly News at 6:30 PM, before coming back for the finish at 7:00 PM and staying through the end. The extended coverage pre-empted airings of various shows, such as Hee-Haw and The Muppet Show.

There was some technical difficulties with Bruce Jenner's mic, resulting in them not being heard well in some parts of the coverage.

Personnel:

Announcers: Charlie Jones, Paul Page

Pit reporters: Bruce Jenner, Gary Gerould