Friday 3rd February 1978
Doug Wolfgang won the opening 40-lap feature of the 1978 Southern Sprint Car Nationals at the East Bay Speedway, Gibsonton, Florida, US. Charlie Swartz , driving the Loretta Lynn Special, finished second followed by Dub May, Paul Pitzer, Shane Carson, Dick Tobias, Rick Nichols, Kramer Williamson, Fred Linder and Steve Smith.