NASCAR (partially found uncut footage of stock car races; 1960-present)

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Nascaruncut1.png

NASCAR Winston Cup Series logo used from 1989-1999.

Status: Partially Found

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is a sports organisation primarily known for its sanctioning of stock car races, including the three national series Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Camping World Truck Series. Since 1960, when prelude races to the Daytona 500 were broadcast by CBS, most of the major NASCAR races have been televised to a wide audience. However, for reasons ranging from needing to fit a strict television schedule, to broadcasting of commercials, not all footage of races captured by television companies is aired.

Background

Prior to 1970, when companies like ABC and CBS televised a race, they often only showcased limited highlights for its Wide World of Sports and CBS Sports Spectacular programs respectively.[1] Further, they would also showcase other events in-between the race with only as many laps shown.[2][1][3] For instance, when it televised the 1961 Firecracker 250 on 16th July 1961, only one hour of footage was showcased, while also having to contend with transmitting the water skiing championships.[3] In 1970, ABC did start televising some races live, beginning with the 1970 Alabama 500.[4][5] Even here, the race would not be shown in-full, as ABC refused to showcase flag-to-flag coverage and allocated only 90 minutes for the broadcast.[4][5] In this instance, while ABC showed the last hour of racing live, the rest would be recorded, with only 30 minutes of highlights being shown.[4][5] Considering that NASCAR events could last for four hours or more, the race had to be significantly condensed to fit ABC's schedule.[4]

Starting with CBS' coverage of the 1979 Daytona 500,[6] the majority of national NASCAR events would be shown live. Even then, races are interrupted by frequent commercial breaks that limit how much of the events are televised.[7] For example, analysis of the 2018 GEICO 500 indicated that of the 224 minute race duration, 177 were broadcast, with 47 dedicated to showcasing traditional commercials.[7]

Availability

Nevertheless, some races in their uncut forms are publicly available. Some viewers who purchased satellite dishes back in the day were able to modify their analogue receiver units and descramblers, thus accessing frequencies that otherwise could not be reached.[8] This included being able to view full races without commercial interruptions, but also even listen to the commentators talking in-between commercial breaks.[8] For NASCAR TV broadcast collectors like SMIFF TV, raw feeds are among the most coveted pieces of NASCAR media, with priority on gaining these broadcasts when buying and trading videos.[9] As of the present day, 218 of these raw feeds can be found on YouTube, with the oldest of these being the 1979 World 600 and 1979 NAPA National 500. The status of other uncut race footage remains unknown.

Gallery

Videos

1979 World 600 raw feed.

1979 NAPA National 500 raw feed.

See Also

External Link

References