Classic NASCAR Races of the 1980's Featured on TVS Sports.Com

Back in the 1980's the image of NASCAR on the TV Networks was minimal. CBS would run the Daytona 500 every year and ABC (remember Chris Economackie?) would carry the Firecracker 500. Other than that you were on your own. Then in the early 1980's the Mizlou TV Network came up with the idea to package a series of NASCAR races to independent TV stations across the USA. They pulled off the necessary station clearances by boiling own the races to one hour shows and allowing the stations to run them within a window of time when they had a free hour. The result was a healthy staton clearance and the establishment of NASCAR as a regular TV staple for race fans in the USA. Everyone knew Richard Petty, but the Mizlou shows allowed Bobby Allison, Neil Bonnett, Tin Richmond, Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliot, and Harry Gant to become national names. After a five year period, NASCAR was well on its way and their use for Mizlou was over. While Mizlou faded into oblivion in the 90's, NASCAR blossomed, and fans were treated to multi network live coverage of their now 'national' sport.