1979 Daytona 500
Network: CBS
Date and time: February 18, 1979, 12:00 PM
Format: Live
Length: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Viewership: 15.1 million (-28%)
One of the most famous and important racing broadcasts ever. The Daytona 500 was the first ever 500-mile race televised live, flag-to-flag, and the first flag-to-flag live broadcast since 1971.
Setting aside nearly 4 hours for a race was a big gamble at the time, but it paid off. A snowstorm trapped most of the East Coast indoors, allowing the race to draw a wide audience. The race was known for it's exciting finish, where leaders Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison crashed on the last lap, later fighting in the infield along with Bobby Allison. The finish, shown to a nationwide TV audience, was instrumental in putting NASCAR on the map.
The broadcast introduced innovative in-car cameras and low angle "speed shots" which have since become broadcast staples.
Personnel:
Announcers: Ken Squier, David Hobbs
Pit reporters: Brock Yates, Ned Jarrett
Interviews: Marianne Bunch-Phelps