1987 Firecracker 400

Network: ABC

Date and time: July 4, 1987, 4:00 PM

Format: Tape-delayed

Length: 1 hour

An hour-long highlighted version of the race was shown on same day tape-delay as part of ABC's Wide World of Sports, alongside the Bislett International Track and Field Meet. As shown on the satellite feed of the race however, ABC filmed the entire race live from the green flag at 10:00 AM, with the announcers doing commentary (a lot of which was replaced for the actual airing) despite the fact the race wasn't on the air, as well as running through segments which were re-done on the actual broadcast, and it was edited down to one hour of highlights for the airing on Wide World of Sports.

The finish of the race was controversial. Bobby Allison won the race, but both the official scoring and ABC thought he was a lap down. When Bobby Allison took the lead from Ken Schrader 2 laps to go, they continued to report Schrader as being the leader, and it wasn't until near the end of the last lap they realized Allison was in fact leading.

Personnel:

Announcers: Keith Jackson, Donnie Allison

Pit reporters: Jerry Gappens, Jerry Punch