ChronoFive
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Setting the scene
NASCAR's Daytona 500 had long been its crown jewel, but national broadcasters rarely carried the full race live; the 1979 season opener offered CBS a chance to test flag-to-flag coverage.
What happened
The 1979 Daytona 500 aired nationally on February 18, 1979; Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison crashed on the last lap, then fought Richard Petty's brother Bobby on the infield grass while Petty won the race.
Why it still matters
The televised crash and pit-fight drama introduced millions of casual viewers to stock-car racing's personalities and rivalries. Memorable detail: a snowstorm in the Northeast boosted TV ratings because trapped viewers had little else to watch.
Background
The last-lap crash and pit fight boosted NASCAR's popularity.