Destruction derby

The race was to be very destructive. Within six laps, many of the cars would spin wildly, hit walls or smack each other like never. After leading the two first laps, David Hobbs would relinquish the lead to Danny Ongais. While leading the race, he spun in the infield portion of the course and hit a van. Jim Busby retired Gary Belcher's Porsche 934 with a blown turbo in the very first lap. David Hobbs was hit by another car while trying to pass Danny Ongais and broke a water line. Bits of fiberglass and metal soon were to be found all around the track. Many cars would experience tire cuts and Al Holbert would damage the suspension of his Chevrolet Monza on the banking. The race would be red-flagged for a fifty minute span. While the race was being stopped, Ted Field would hit Johnny Rutherford's similar car. By lap eleven, some twenty were out of the race! By the restart, Hurley Haywood had grabbed the lead over George Dyer and John Paul. Both drivers would not make it to the finish, as George Dyer spun twice and later could not restart from the pit lane after a refueling. John Paul retired thirteen laps from the finish. When George Dyer was out of the race, Hurley Haywood was on his own, without anybody to fight with. He just motored around to the chequered. Kenper Miller drove his BMW 3,0CSL to second place, which would be his best result ever. Third was Milt Minter and Cliff Kearns, in the latter's Porsche 934, after losing two laps in the early stages of the race, due to a puncture. Fourth place was to be taken by Daytona residents Lamar Mann and Guido Levetto, who drove their Chevrolet Corvette to the finish after starting from the 29th place on the grid. Mauricio de Narvaez finished fifth in his Porsche Carrera RSR. The GTU race was somewhat different from the season's plot, with Sam Posey and Walt Maas not competing in this race. This led to a Porsche domination with Rusty Bond and Ren Tilton coming out on top, with Chiqui Soldevilla finishing in second place. George Drolsom and Hugh Davenport finished third. All of them drove Porsche 911s. The race would be red-flagged for a fifty minute span. While the race was being stopped, Ted Field would hit Johnny Rutherford's similar car. By lap eleven, some twenty were out of the race! By the restart, Hurley Haywood had grabbed the lead over George Dyer and John Paul. Both drivers would not make it to the finish, as George Dyer spun twice and later could not restart from the pit lane after a refueling. John Paul retired thirteen laps from the finish.

Hurley Haywood survived a terrific race.