Network: ESPN
Date and time:
August 9, 1987, 12:30 PM (rainout)
August 10, 1987, 1:00 PM (scheduled on 10th)
August 10, 1987, 11:00 AM (actual)
Format:
Live (rainout)
Tape-delayed (planned on 10th)
Live (actual)
Length:
3 and a half hours (rainout)
3 hours (actual)
The race was televised in full on ESPN.
It was scheduled to be run on August 9, 1987, but it was delayed by rain. ESPN filled time with various interviews, including a round-table with Darrell Waltrip, Neil Bonnett, and Benny Parsons, as well as diversions to alternate programs, including a SpeedWeek recap of the first half of the 1987 season, and a replay of the 1986 Budweiser at the Glen. After a 3 hour and 20 minute wait, at 3:50 PM it was announced the race would be postponed to the next day. ESPN signed off, and returned to regular programming.
ESPN was originally scheduled to televise the race live the next day, beginning at 11:00 AM, but due to commitments with the Volvo International Tennis Final, coincidentially also delayed by rain, it was instead changed to be shown on tape-delay, albeit in full. However, the Volvo International Tennis Final was postponed by rain another day, so ESPN were able to show the race live and in full after all, pre-empting other programming such as the scheduled tennis broadcast.
Personnel:
Announcers: Bob Jenkins, Larry Nuber
Pit reporters: Jerry Punch, Dick Berggren