I'm pretty sure this was not a WoO sanctioned event, but a made for TV race, and I think in February(?). I'm not sure which network televised it, but I remember watching it. Notice Economaki diving in for the interview. Venard did win the Pacific Coast Nationals that year, which was a WoO sanctioned event, but was in the fall and a night race.
On these older clips i can't believe how close to the track the photographers stood, especially when you see a car getting inside the tires on occasion.
I love the track conditions. People gripe about the track conditions we have today. Maybe they should watch more of these old videos to realize how good we have it now.
This was an open show, non-sanctioned, dubbed the Midwinter Sprint Car Championships. Actually from February 18, 1979. Warm day (70's), beating down sun caused the track to dry out and tire wear the biggest issue. Several drivers had tires actually explode in the race. Buster Venard pitted with a worn tire on lap 36, re-started in the back (14th) and passed Doug Wolfgang on the 50th and final lap. Buster had won the previous year's Pacific Coast Open and the Don Peabody Classic at Ascot in October and November of 1978. ABC Wide World of Sports taped the event for later airing. For a day race, it was pretty entertaining
