1988 Daytona 500
Network: CBS
Date and time: February 14, 1988, 12:00 PM
Format: Live
Length: 4 hours (scheduled for 3 and a half hours)
Viewership: 10.0 million (-19%)
The race was televised live and flag-to-flag on CBS, billed as a "CBS Sports Special".
David Hobbs served as a "roving reporter", going around the track and interviewing various fans and other figures.
The race was marred by a lengthy caution flag for a severe wreck involving Richard Petty, which lasted 21 laps. During this period CBS filled time with various interviews, as well as a feature about Dale Earnhardt. Due to the caution, the coverage ran long, signing off at 4:00 PM instead of the planned 3:30 PM. This pre-empted coverage of a NBA game between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. Thus, the post-race coverage was limited to just a short interview with winner Bobby Allison, and technical credits were not shown. As well, at around 3:35 PM and 3:50 PM, CBS briefly cut away from Daytona for reports on the game.
Personnel:
Announcers: Ken Squier, Ned Jarrett, Chris Economaki
Pit reporters: Mike Joy, Dave Despain
Roving reporter: David Hobbs
Director: Bob Fishman
Cameras: Neil McCaffrey
A presentation of CBS Sports