The Daytona 500 That Changed Everything: Speedweeks 1988

most of the field has qualified at over 200 miles per hour the leaders will compete this afternoon speeds over 200 miles per hour another aspect of this track unfortunately is the violence bobby allison with a horrible accident here on the frontstretch is ripped off in a full section of protective railings, he didn't make it to the fence but he also didn't make it to the stands and he came close, although he tore off a large area of ​​railing that protects the crowd from the racetrack and was very, very close to reaching the stands. , the car went up into the air and literally flew into that wall and caught the fence, but fortunately stayed on the track.

The

1988

Speedweeks were the biggest moment of change NASCAR had seen in years, it was a week full of new rules, new environments. Controversy, uncertainty and chaos on the track, the biggest change entering the

1988

season was the reintroduction of restrictor plates for a few years starting in 1971. NASCAR used the plates to slow down large engines and make smaller engines were more competitive. The plates returned to 88 to slow down. cars on super tracks with speeds exceeding 210 miles per hour, the death of innocent bystanders was becoming more and more likely a problem we have had with our cars recently, when they fly through the air, they go so fast that they try to fly a stock car so fast they threatened to fly into the grandstands and kill people, speeds have to be limited, that was waking up, so to speak, yes when everyone was saying we had to slow these cars down, particularly at Daytona and Talladega before , when I left and enters the grandstand, well, 200 miles per hour too fast After Bobby Allison's terrifying accident at Talladega last year, insurance companies warned NASCAR to get these unguided missiles under control or it would lose coverage of his insurance, which was a sobering threat and it was obvious that the tests were open for the next one.

At this month's Daytona 500, NASCAR took it very seriously. The 1988 model cars are capable of running more than 200 miles per hour and that's fast, insurance companies say, so NASCAR reduced speeds by requiring carburetor restrictor plates. The first plates NASCAR tested didn't slow down. Enough cars were issued only until mid-19, now speeds are in the 180s, that's fine, but officials also realize that at least some of the drivers are now deliberately posting slower test speeds to stay away from even stricter restrictions. What we're trying to do at Daytona and Talladega we can't send cars flying through the air we can't stop the discussion despite the stated intent of making racing safer by slowing down cars on their supertracks NASCAR's mandate to carburetor plate could intensify the competition to an incredible level On the track, several manufacturers

changed

models to improve aerodynamics in the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup and you will see some body changes in different ways.

Buick Oldsmobile and Pontiac will have completely different bodies. What you are looking at here is a new Buick Regal. Last year's 87 LeSabre that was raced on the Winston Cup circuit. This is a new Regal. Many changes have been made. The Erol dynamics continued with a smaller roof leading to a rear window that should bring air to the spoiler much better. Around the corner here it's nice and smooth and makes the air follow you to the back of the spoiler compared to the LeSabre which didn't have this nice curvature. Overall, it's a good-looking race car. It should go very well.

Fast-paced NASCAR also had a new tire, the small Hoosier tire company with 16 employees challenged Goodyear's monopoly by entering the sport, while the tire war was a big part of 1988, both brands performing equally well in the 500. Daytona miles to comply with the new rules, new cars and new tires, there were also some equipment changes. Mark Martin returned to Cup racing full-time with Roush Racing expanding from road racing into NASCAR. Ricky Rudd moved to Kenny Bernstein's team, but now had more of Brett Bodine in his car. Dale Earnhardt was now driving. a black Goodwrench car instead of its familiar Wrangler colors and Obama returned to the track after a broken pelvis and a wrecked Lake ended his season in 1987.

NASCAR was also looking good in 1988, as nearly 70 cars would be purchased for 42 Field positions during the Daytona 500 were not only making NASCAR a more popular form of racing for car owners, but also for marketing and promotional executives, and more importantly, more than 30 automobiles. Renowned Doorn products on the sides of their race cars sponsor some teams worth up to two million. dollars to complete the full schedule of Winston Cup events. Ken Schrader moved to Hendrick Motorsports replacing an ailing Tim Richmond who resigned at the end of 1987, although the unemployed Richmond would be a major story during speed weeks, while Tim won nine times between 86 and 87, he disappeared.

For months while they claimed he had pneumonia, rumors said he had a drug problem. Has there ever been a time when drivers felt that another competitor had a problem and should not be allowed to compete in that event? Yes, this has happened in the past. year a couple of times no, there was no drug problem although I suppose it would have been appropriate to say I guess the status symbol used to be the tennis courts and the swimming pools and now it became going to the Betty Ford Center, actually no no there was no drug problem involved we don't know what we were we don't know if we were alarmed by drugs or it was something else it's hard to say we didn't have you know we weren't testing so I didn't know and it's a deal where you just look a gun and you say I think he's doing drugs, that's a tough call.

You know, the other rumors obviously in today's culture were that you had some kind of terminal condition. cancer or through an infectious disease was incurable that you wouldn't come back now I mean, you know they had cancer, they had AIDS, you know I had

everything

I could have while Richmond was secretly fighting AIDS. NASCAR was concerned about the rumors surrounding him, a response that created a drug testing policy for 1988 Richmond was excited about the testing as it would show that he was not a drug user Tim, do you have a drug problem? I'm sorry, but that question has been asked more than once here, more than once, by everyone. and I'm not going to answer that question.

I'm going to let the Daytona drug test answer it and NASCAR can answer it for all of you, if you don't answer it the right way, then I'll have my little bottle and there will be another answer because I know if it's dirty or clean, and it's clean because he won a poll in 1987. Tim was eligible to run in the 20-lap crash with Busch, while his health would likely not allow him to run. the Daytona 500 this could be your last chance to drive a race car with all these stories the 1988 Daytona 500 promised to be the climax of one of the most chaotic weeks of speed anyone can remember.

The stock car portion of Speedweeks 88 began. On Wednesday, February 3 with practice for Iraq and ARCA all eyes were on the return of IndyCar star Roberto Guerrero in 1987 Guerrero lost the Indy 500 after hitting a loose wheel and breaking the clutch of his car while the wheel killed a spectator in the stands. The Colombian pilot escaped with his life after he came within inches of hitting his head in September. Guerrero once again died four days after winning in mid-ohio he crashed while testing in Indianapolis while testing tires in Indianapolis his car's rear suspension broke on the wall, the right front tire came back and hit Guerrero in the head , unconscious and in critical condition at the Methodist Hospital and not very optimistic prognoses from the neurosurgeon Dr.

Michael Turner It will be between six months to a year before we are completely sure how much he will recover and because the recovery phase of a head injury actually lasts one to two years, they will continue to improve over that long period in a coma for more than three weeks Guerrero was given experimental levels of near-toxic barbiturates by dr. Stephen ol V to reduce the pressure on his brain miraculously the pilot fully recovered and rehabilitated his brain to pre-accident conditions. The IROC event five months later was going to be his first race back, but in practice the feel-good story ended up racing in a Chip Robinson spun Guerrero in the three-car draft and hit the wall in turn three, giving him They diagnosed a fracture in the foot and would miss the IROC race.

The comeback story ended before the starting positions began in Thursday's Busch crash with Jeff Bodean claiming the pole Tim Richmond was negotiating to drive Ken Reagan's car in the event and He hoped to close a deal on Saturday afternoon. Richmond took his drug tests and the sample was transported overnight: NASCAR's official drug tester, dr. Forrest Tennant in California Tennant was also the tester for the NFL practice that began Friday with NASCAR inspectors tearing up illegal cars this week, busy crews were doing corrective surgery on Pontiac deck lids that were an inch too long and It was practically not an isolated case. every act of going to the bathroom on the course was cut Neil Bonnett says it's mono-see mono-do just like I've always raced and everyone who comes to the Daytona races when they give you a set of rules, you try to push yourself to the limit Roos and where the cars were a little longer than NASCAR had wanted and there were some cars down here so we had a car like that.

Geoff Bodine was fastest in practice and was the favorite to win pole position. Also Bobby Allison. had an illegal car Bobby what's the story well I don't know, I think it swelled a little in the truck on the way here we were going to buy, we pressed for an answer but Bobby kept his tongue firmly in his cheek, well, you I can't say you know you put them on a diet and you give them special things to eat so they go fast and sometimes they move in the wrong places on Saturday morning. Tim Richmond was ordered to the NASCAR carrier where he was told he failed a drug test he was told he had tested positive for amphetamines and opiates he was suspended indefinitely Richmond gave a second sample that would be tested again at the Daytona 500 qualifying speeds were almost 20 miles per hour slower than in 1987 it was Ken Schrader who posted the fastest speed from Daytona International Speedway CBS Sports is pleased to bring you live the 1988 Busch plant pace car is in the field is ready to go I want to start with the brakes coming with him now completely dying Jeff bodean on the bottom side going for the lead Half way down the backstretch for the first time and here comes Richard Childress in a big black machine on the outside hanging right against the wall, being pressed hard there, but for a moment there might be contact.

Davey Allison, 26, is simply overwhelmed. Rusty Wallace takes up second Allisyn up in third Davey Allison his little son right there in second can't get out he tries again Bobby Allison and that flight deal encourages Chevrolet first Ford second Buick third is just a wad of test Next Sunday's Daytona 500 I think, here they come to the line going down for the ladies Earnhardt is out front Davey Allison trying to move on the line it will be Dale Earnhardt / Davey Allison will take second Bobby Allison finishing in third place Sunday afternoons are Caray saw Mickey Gibbs hold off the red farmer for the win, but the one who received the most attention was the fourth-place finisher, Jay Summers, who told a surprising story: he is the most recent winner of the Lottery of Michigan for a sum of 5.7 million dollars and the first thing he did with all that money was anarchic son of Haas Ellington qualified in fourth place finished in fourth place in his first start at Daytona.

Hi Jay, how does it feel to be a millionaire race car driver? I haven't

changed

my habits at all and now I can run. and I do things the way I want and I make the decisions because now I own the cars, a day after the crash with Busch, NASCAR announced that Tim Richmond had passed a drug test and on Tuesday officials revealed that until he passes a drug test physically can't run. and he cannot pass the physical examination unless he presents medical records from his 1987 stay at a Cleveland hospital where he was reportedly treated for pneumonia.

Tim Richmond, ineligible to drive a Winston Cup car following two controversial drug tests,He is discussing his next step. with his lawyer that lawyer is Barry Slotnick defense lawyer for the so-called subway vigilante Bernard gets on the track the drivers were struggling with the poorly handling cars now the face of stock car racing has changed new rules have affected the way in which These cars behave and even to old veterans. I have not discovered the answers to all the questions, as we will see. To overcome slower speeds, teams reduce drag by lowering their spoilers to almost horizontal levels.

The lack of downforce meant the cars were harder to drive than ever. it becomes a guessing game and a compromise flat spoiler go fast, get up and you will be saved we will see what they decide about a 500 with the car now running in tighter packs a carnage was expected the fear of flying cars returned on Wednesday in training of the Cup Charlie Rudolph overturned his car on the tri-oval trying to pass Ernie Irvan apparently Rudolph's engine exploded when he spun on Ervin's nose Richard Peddie suffered damage when Bobby Hillin spun him while decelerating for the day of the accident, the day of the account for drivers seeking a victory in the Daytona 500 tomorrow 69 cars participated in Thursday's twin 125 seeking 42 starting positions in the Daytona 500 21 cars crashed in the two races in the 60 years of In the history of the Daytona 500, there have never been more cars crashed in qualifying races than in that day in 1988, on the sixth lap of the first twin-engine 125, Bobby Way Wick suffered two crushed vertebrae and eye injuries when his engine He lost fluid and hit the wall in turn three.

The accident ended his career at the end of the race. Richard Petty's week just got even worse. backThe end gets a little loose in Petty's No. 43 Pontiac, he loses it, tries to correct it, and then spins all the way around. Penny can still consider himself lucky. Look, what happened to Jimmy Horton's from New Jersey taking over the outside wall and they could have easily picked him up? by one of those 190 mile per hour missiles, including his own son riding in turn two, look what happened to Ernie Irvan here later in the race, Phil Bock is behind and they touched and Ernie Irvan made a of the wildest races in In its first 125 miles, Brad Teague spins and the red and white car is Marc Staal of California, clearing a man in front of him.

Australian Tony Spano spins and lands right in the center of the track. Lots of action at some point during the first race. someone stole JD mcguffey's driving gloves he entered the second race without any now the second place finisher of 125 offered further proof that the mysterious world of aerodynamics and racing cars is often just a mystery The second place finisher of 125 on Thursday could be surprised by the green flag twice 500 winner Bill Elliott left the line with a broken transmission the defending champion will start 31st in today's big race on lap 3 there was a shock of a different kind The Pontiac of jakey mcDuffie exploded in flames after a three-way tangle with Delma Coward and Ralph Jones everyone held their breath as McDuffie stopped in the field and struggled to escape his charred race car.

He was taken to the hospital with moderate burns to his hands and face. Here's a slow-motion look at the side-by-side aerodynamic effects. -Side Race Cale Yarborough gets into the choppy air beneath Darrell Waltrip and the rear wheels come loose. He now he looks at the windshield as the force of the air literally sucks him out of the car, the right side tires explode almost simultaneously and Kailah crashes into the wall, but the action. is all behind him when 12 cars were caught in a chain reaction crash that left the infield looking like a chop shop. The revelation of the race was Waltrip still looking for that first win in the 500.

Darrel showed he could run anywhere on the track in the last one. Back he showed it by keeping first Davey Allison and then Dale Earnhardt at bay, he looked like the devil Waltrip of yesteryear. I just, man, I'm so excited I don't know what to do, it's almost like winning the 500, but not quite after the twins. NASCAR's 125 revealed that Tim Richmond's initial failed drug tests showed high levels of Advil and Sudafed drugs that sometimes cause false positives for amphetamines and opiates. Richmond still refused to hand over his medical records in the Dash Series compact car race Friday morning as a pair of female drivers made NASCAR history by finishing second and third in Friday's race.

Defending champion Larry Cottle found himself in a 10-lap battle taking the checkered flag with his former teammate Karen Schultz, 22, Schultz now driving Cottle's 87-time title-winning car. two do not like each other entered the door-to-door action although they were called will manage to hold off Schultz for the second year in a row a final of two three women by Schultz truck racer Shauna Robinson was the first in NASCAR The IROC race That afternoon was quiet. Chip Robinson's scratch on the wall was the only incident of the event. Bill Elliott was untouchable leading every lap on his way to victory Saturday morning.

Tim Richmond held a press conference at the Daytona Beach Hilton to address the media and Eira's complaints. Richmond says his extravagant lifestyle and past criticism of NASCAR have made him a target, and he cites negative results from two independent drug tests to back him up. "I didn't and I still don't contrast" NASCAR briefly, we only have a short time. Is NASCAR trying to keep Tim Richmond out of stock car racing? Not at all, as far as I can see, Tim Richmond is trying to do it. Two months later, Richmond would sue NASCAR for the initial false drug test that kept him out of the crash with Busch.

A confidential agreement was reached. In early 1989, during the Daytona 500, Richmond chartered a plane to fly over the track. His words to the fans were the last mention of Tim Richmond on a race track for quite some time talking about restrictor plates, albeit with the top down, the big Winston Cup cars. almost no one has mentioned that restrictor plates were warned by Busch Grand National machines that they will be using restrictors this season and in yesterday's goodies 300 we found out that slowing cars down doesn't necessarily mean making them safer, there were a lot of Winstons. The Cup stars in the race, most of whom qualified behind, surprise polesitter Mike Swain led early as the Winston Cup guys tried to weave through traffic.

Kenny Schrader was hit against the wall after working from deep to take the lead and while he was writing it, Neil Bonnett was hit while he was trying to avoid disaster and then Dale Shaw really hit him. I know you're wondering about Bonnet's leg. He was fine. Now look at Geoff Bodine in yellow and Darrell Waltrip right behind him doing it. a little 180 mile per hour minuet in heavy traffic and the traffic was really the story of these 124 cars, more than half the field was involved in spins and accidents, this ten car crash in turn four took a big bite out of it to the list of registered and seven more. were hit when this freight train derailed, but this time a hood flew into the crowd and hit seven spectators, none of them were seriously hurt, in fact one fan said a quote: It was worth it to see Bobby Allison win and when Bobby Allison did it. he passed Geoff Bodine and a pigeon under Darrell Waltrip with one lap to go and ran towards the checkers no one could retaliate the new rules the spoilers were down the veterans stood up well I'm not too sure about that today I think you are The most important thing is that you had to be patient and that paid off today after a week of controversy and speculation.

Race morning was a welcome sight. The car parody, yes, I think we have it, but the driver parody, that's the big problem. Yes, the driver is. We will definitely be back on the scene once again and I think that was the evidence when Bobby Allison in the 125 mile qualifying race and the 300 mile race on Saturday, his experience was worth it. Drafting is definitely back in play and those who know how to do it. If they have run at slower speeds like they run today and those are the drivers who will prevail, you could say we have set the sport back four or five years and those who raced in that era are going to do well at the beginning of the restriction , is there a discussion about the restriction?

You said that slower cars running together was more dangerous than fast cars given what happened in the 125 races, you still feel that way, well, you know, I feel that way, you know, my car went flying in one of the races and the keel car flew through the air, it's just a situation that, looking at this race and the race we had last year, a year before, we went the wrong way with the copyrighted rules even though they reduced them 15 or 20 miles long. there has been a late development Davey Allison, the front row starter in the final minutes of practice yesterday after the goodies 300 hit the wall and damaged the right side of his Ford Thunderbird, worked on the car all night to fix it, but they will.

I don't know how it handles until the green flag drops now for Shack to fix the Alabama gang Davey Allison ed Hinton chooses his father Bobby Allison and I'm afraid we both have to agree that hidden Bobby Allison is going to win the Daytona 500 today many people are choosing Bobby Allison to win his third 500 here well, it is a true fact that this can be the car, so we will go to Victory Lane today it is mom Allison's car several things that We have talked in the last hour restrictors aerodynamics great sponsors agent experience, youth and enthusiasm, all come together this week.

I think this could be the best 500 ever and I think Dale Earnhardt, all the time, gentlemen, start your engines, forty-two competitors, 42 cars straining now going down at about 55 60 miles per hour and the green is displayed were going good start there in turn two over here comes Allison's first high speed corner with this crime rate in place the cars don't really get up to speed at about three quarters of a pound down Allison to the inside Bobby Allison sliding in down down on the racetrack the analysis father and son leading the first lap of the Daytona 500 that's Allison looking right under Darrell Waltrip's headlights at 190 miles per hour from that camera in the back of the car the point momentarily here comes Waltrip Remember Waltrip won a qualifying and here comes Rusty Wallace in the Pontiac going around Davey Allison and going into second place there are three and four behind the front car Davey Allison behind that front winter rolling into turn number one at 190 miles per hour later. 14 laps, David, the leaderboard looks like this as we watch Davey Allison press the inside and pull up next to his apartment there Allison against Allison father against son and the Sun comes out front and here comes Waltrip again, all the bone, no I want to go anywhere this is too good to lose here's Darrell Waltrip down the inside challenging he's coming up he's going for the lead notable because it's amazing that the warp star works so well in the lower part of the track and has the Pope of where to exit In the curves there is a smoker on the backstretch, that's Roush's car, that new number six Ford, Mark Martin from Arkansas, Jack Roush's driver and the engine is dying.

I mean, we have an accident and in turn four again, a car spins, slams. against the wall and it looks like Kayle Kayle, our burrow car, in fact, Cale Yarborough's machine sucked into the wall, but a couple of times then nailed it, which will bring out the third yellow flag of the day. Davey Allison, back in the 20th position, tried to make a move on the outside and barks the dog goes down to the bottom look at this while Kyle Petty is overwhelmed inside and out Davi approaches the guy who is writing communications Rusty Wallace loves towards Sunday Drive, which is what it is, but it's that a 500 pitch and him cutting the wheel now finding himself in another position Chris, you were talking about Dale Earnhardt a moment ago, we haven't seen much of him, well, maybe you can't wait Plus, maybe it's itchy because here he is now trying to move up. to third position tremendous battle continuing to third now trying to make the move Rusty Wallace is coming with him I had problems, serious problems, okay, a character, he is playing, Richard Petty's car flips seven or eight times when exiting the curve and just got hit by another car.

It's one of the most vile accidents we've seen at Daytona International Speedway here we are there Darrell Waltrip goes through Petty's car into the wall then one sideruns like a barrel from one end to the other and then from one side to the other again and again, so terrible Accident that robbed the man who won this race seven times over the years. Alan Kulwicki in the number seven car was involved as the cars limped to the pits and there's the damaged number 43 Pontiac STP if Richard Petty is on the track and we trust that penny. okay in the car, Schwarz pushing there, yeah, or a dog barking as Mark Knowles' car spins backwards to card number 73 and Patti's car stays up against the wall and you can see both tires flying off the car and other cars enter now.

Hitting B, that's what I'm worried about, it's the second crash, so even though, as you pointed out a few moments ago, Chris, they slowed down, that doesn't make them much safer now that the car was in the air and, surprisingly , I was going to go down. in the air when they are putting him into the ambulance. I got there and rode with him and he might have a broken Hank, oh yeah, a really bad sprain, there was no compound fracture, nothing, the doctors said they just had a neck brace, but he got up. out there so I don't think you'll hear it next and he just has a little scratch right there, nothing, the biggest lead or nothing.

Harel kinder has the flag in his hand running 13th buddy baker 14th terry labonte 15th on the restart here's the break Parsons pulling away great job his brothers next door there in the car back meanwhile here comes Earnhardt around Brad T up on Kenny Schrader three wide Michael Waltrip below your photo the yellow car returns immediately Darth Vader there here he comes united for the lead Neil Bonnett do you think? that car accident bothered these people is that all of a sudden she would be getting a little upset right now to win the Daytona 500 and here's Alison falling to the platform driving between cars in a single car and it seems like she's running very slowly and just They shovel the snow on it, but because it's been an incredibly polished race and this crowd has responded in kind, this is an electrified crowd and this is going to be a great finish down here, they've done it with my funding for Clash number 30 in The curve is Harry Gant's scar.

I think Waltrip's confidence level is very, very high on the track cars we've seen during the speed weeks here Alice, I'm going to make a move for you, the winner of the 125-mile qualifier loosens up Alison and go for it, it will be a psychological blow to the wall frame, well Davey is the key here and he will lead this race sir. Bowie stays behind his dad, he stops, he goes to second, dad goes to the front, Waltrip goes to third, so dad, look at Bobby, go. I don't think India is understood because here it comes, it's going to hit rock bottom, it's down, Bobby Allison. hi, Davey Allison planned the inside move Bobby Allison stops him, they come to the line and the 30th annual winner his son in the Mendes family's second performance today, the 1988 Daytona 500 is considered one of the best NASCAR moments with a father and son. race for the win the initial reaction was more negative, fans thought the cars were too slow and the drivers thought the race lacked competition.

Dale Earnhardt called following the leader and said the rule changes took away the entire race. Allyson led the final 18 laps and the finish was a single-file procession, among others. Earnhardt said the events were much more dangerous, with cars crashing into each other and even flipping over. the capture fence called him a fucking fiasco and he said they were going to kill someone. The restrictor ate it all. He made everyone the same speed and that made it probably more dangerous than when we were running 210. They took an approach that they thought would work. and as far as I'm concerned, it didn't work out well.

I really felt that a small engine with a small carburetor would be much more in tune with today's automotive world despite the different opinions, restrictor plates were the best way to slow cars down. At the time, supertrack racing became more common in the 1988 Daytona 500, laying the groundwork for modern NASCAR. After the race, Davi was quoted as saying that his father's car was much stronger than his and that there was no way he could have overtaken his father. That Davey would have been able to beat you if you two had swapped cars? That's really a dirty, rotten question, so no, he couldn't.