1976 Daytona 500

Race: Daytona 500
Date: February 15, 1976
Track: Daytona International Speedway
Broadcast Affiliate: ABC
Pole Winner: Ramo Stott
Race Winner: David Pearson
Race Results: https://www.racing-reference.info/race/1976_Daytona_500/W

Competitiveness Rating: 7
There were a total of 36 lead changes. A.J. Foyt led the most laps with 66 but none of his time at the lead was broadcast due to the nature of ABC's Wide World Of Sports coverage. Judging by lead changes alone, the race was one of the most competitive of the 1976 season. There were only two cars on the lead lap as the race neared its finish and there were only two lead changes in the final 20 laps. That said for its time and the footage that was available, this was a good race.

Finish Rating: 10
The finish of the 1976 Daytona 500 is one of the greatest and most memorable in NASCAR history. It serves as proof that you don't need multiple cars racing for the lead at the end for a finish to be good or memorable. The finish is aided by the fact that two of the greatest drivers ever raced balls out for the win, crashed and the winner was decided by such a crazy set of circumstances.

Race Broadcast Rating: 7.5
As a fan, the thing I want from a race broadcast is for the announcers to not detract from my enjoyment. Lead commentator Bill Fleming, color analyst Jackie Stewart and pit reporter Chris Economacki did not do so at any point of the race for me. If the race were a flag-to-flag broadcast my opinion may have been different. Stewart's feature segment on the safety of NASCAR cars of the day was quite interesting and showed how far safety has advanced in the sport.

Memorability: 8
While the racing was good throughout, the only thing that people will remember from this race is its finish. That doesn't meant here wasn't anything good between laps 1 through 199 but there is nothing in that time that could come close to rivaling the epic finish.

Race Rating: 7.5
The 1976 Daytona 500 isn't a race I would say is underrated or disrespected but there isn't anything in the race that stands out other than the finish. Again, that doesn't mean the race is bad. It speaks more to just how spectacular the finish is than anything.

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