Wikipedia

1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

(Redirected from 1997 NASCAR Cup Series)

The 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 49th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 26th modern-era NASCAR Cup series. It began on February 9 and ended on November 16. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won his second Cup championship at the end of the season.

It was the last season until 2019 without Matt Kenseth.

1997 Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon
Dale Jarrett finished second behind Gordon by only 14 points
Mark Martin finished third in the championship
Mike Skinner, the 1997 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year.

Teams and drivers

edit

Complete schedule

edit
Manufacturer Team No. Race driver Crew chief
Chevrolet American Equipment Racing 96 David Green (R) Sammy Johns
Andy Petree Racing 33 Ken Schrader Andy Petree
Darrell Waltrip Motorsports 17 Darrell Waltrip Jeff Hammond
Diamond Ridge Motorsports 29 Robert Pressley 10 Wes Ward
Jeff Green 22
Hendrick Motorsports 5 Terry Labonte Gary DeHart
24 Jeff Gordon Ray Evernham
25 Ricky Craven 30 Phil Hammer 1
Andy Graves 31
Todd Bodine 1
Jack Sprague 1
Larry Hedrick Motorsports 41 Steve Grissom Charley Pressley
Marcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis Bob Marcis
Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Sterling Marlin Robert Larkins
Richard Childress Racing 3 Dale Earnhardt Larry McReynolds
31 Mike Skinner (R) Kevin Hamlin
Team SABCO 40 Robby Gordon (R) 21 Mike Hillman
Joe Nemechek 1
Wally Dallenbach Jr. 1
Greg Sacks 7
Steve Park 1
Elliott Sadler 1
42 Joe Nemechek 31 Tony Glover
Phil Parsons 1
Ford Bill Elliott Racing 94 Bill Elliott Mike Beam
Brett Bodine Racing 11 Brett Bodine Donnie Richeson
Butch Mock Motorsports 75 Rick Mast Dave Charpentier
Cale Yarborough Motorsports 98 John Andretti Tony Furr
Donlavey Racing 90 Dick Trickle 31 Bob Johnson 4
Tommy Baldwin Jr. 21
Dorsey Schroeder 1
FILMAR Racing 81 Kenny Wallace Newt Moore
Geoff Bodine Racing 7 Geoff Bodine 31 Pat Tryson
Todd Bodine 1
Jasper Motorsports 77 Bobby Hillin Jr. 13 Terry Whooten
Morgan Shepherd 11
Robert Pressley 8
Kranefuss-Haas Racing 37 Jeremy Mayfield Paul Andrews
Penske Racing South 2 Rusty Wallace Robin Pemberton
Robert Yates Racing 28 Ernie Irvan Marc Reno
88 Dale Jarrett Todd Parrott
Rudd Performance Motorsports 10 Ricky Rudd Jim Long
Stavola Brothers Racing 8 Hut Stricklin Bill Ingle
Travis Carter Enterprises 23 Jimmy Spencer Donnie Wingo
Triad Motorsports 78 Billy Standridge 16 Bill Hayes 7
Bob Johnson 20
Tom Hubert 1
Bobby Hillin Jr. 3
Gary Bradberry 12
Wood Brothers Racing 21 Michael Waltrip Leonard Wood
Roush Racing 6 Mark Martin Jimmy Fennig
16 Ted Musgrave James Ince
99 Jeff Burton Buddy Parrott
97 Chad Little All Harold Holly
Pontiac Mark Rypien Motorsports
Bahari Racing 30 Johnny Benson Doug Hewitt
Bill Davis Racing 22 Ward Burton Chris Hussey
Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Bobby Labonte Jimmy Makar
MB2 Motorsports 36 Derrike Cope Ryan Pemberton
Petty Enterprises 43 Bobby Hamilton Robbie Loomis
PE2 44 Kyle Petty Bobby Kennedy
Precision Products Racing 1 Morgan Shepherd 20 Michael McSwain
Jerry Nadeau 5
Mike Wallace 1
Lance Hooper 6

Limited schedule

edit
Manufacturer Team No. Race driver Crew chief Races
Chevrolet BACE Motorsports 74 Randy LaJoie 1
Barkdoll Racing 73 Joe Nemechek 1
Phil Barkdoll 1
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 14 Steve Park Philippe Lopez 8
Darrell Waltrip Motorsports 26 Rich Bickle Dave McCarty 1
Ken Schrader Racing 52 Jack Sprague 1
LAR Motorsports 12 Jeff Purvis Philippe Lopez 3
LJ Racing 91 Mike Wallace Doug Richert ? 15
Loy Allen Jr. 1
Greg Sacks 2
Ron Hornaday Jr. 1
Kevin Lepage 4
Miller Racing 08 Mike Miller 1
Norm Benning Racing 84 Norm Benning 1
Team SABCO 46 Wally Dallenbach Jr. Terry Shirley 24
T.R.I.X. Racing 79 Randy MacDonald 3
Ford A. J. Foyt Enterprises 50 A. J. Foyt 1
Bill Elliott Racing 92 Ron Barfield 1
Bud Moore Engineering 15 Larry Pearson 2
Greg Sacks 1
David Blair Motorsports 27 Rick Wilson Slugger Labbe 4
Kenny Irwin Jr. 5
H. L. Waters Racing 0 Delma Cowart 1
H. S. Die Racing Team 61 Tim Steele 1
Melling Racing 9 Lake Speed Jeff Buice 25
Jeff Davis 1
Ranier-Walsh Racing 20 Greg Sacks Tommy Baldwin Jr. 8
Lance Hooper 2
Sadler Brothers Racing 95 Gary Bradberry Lee Leslie 2
Ed Berrier 12
Standridge Motorsports 47 Billy Standridge 1
TriStar Motorsports 19 Loy Allen Jr. Peter Sospenzo 2
Gary Bradberry 12
Ultra Motorsports 02 Mike Bliss 2
Pontiac Bailey Racing 66 H. B. Bailey 1
Buckshot Racing 00 Buckshot Jones Ricky Pearson 1
ISM Racing 35 Todd Bodine 2

Schedule

edit
No. Race Title Track Date
Busch Clash Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach February 9
Gatorade 125s February 13
1 Daytona 500 February 16
2 Goodwrench Service 400 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham February 23
3 Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond March 2
4 Primestar 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton March 9
5 TranSouth Financial 400 Darlington Raceway, Darlington March 23
6 Interstate Batteries 500 Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth April 6
7 Food City 500 Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol April 13
8 Goody's Headache Powder 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway April 20
9 Save Mart Supermarkets 300 Sears Point Raceway, Sonoma May 4
10 Winston 500 Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega May 10
Winston Open Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord May 17
The Winston
11 Coca-Cola 600 May 25
12 Miller 500 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover June 1
13 Pocono 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond June 8
14 Miller 400 Michigan Speedway, Brooklyn June 15
15 California 500 presented by NAPA California Speedway, Fontana June 22
16 Pepsi 400 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach July 5
17 Jiffy Lube 300 New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon July 13
18 Pennsylvania 500 Pocono Raceway, Long Pond July 20
19 Brickyard 400 Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway August 2
20 The Bud at The Glen Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen August 10
21 DeVilbiss 400 Michigan Speedway, Brooklyn August 17
22 Goody's Headache Powder 500 Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol August 23
23 Mountain Dew Southern 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington August 31
24 Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400 Richmond International Raceway, Richmond September 6
25 CMT 300 New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon September 14
26 MBNA 400 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover September 21
27 Hanes 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway September 29
28 UAW-GM Quality 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord October 5
29 DieHard 500 Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega October 12
30 AC Delco 400 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham October 27
31 Dura Lube 500 presented by Kmart Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix November 2
32 NAPA 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton November 16
NASCAR Thunder Special Suzuka Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka November 23

Races

edit
No. Race Pole position Most laps led Winning driver Manufacturer
Busch Clash Terry Labonte Terry Labonte Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
Gatorade 125 #1 Mike Skinner Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Ford
Gatorade 125 #2 Steve Grissom Dale Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet
1 Daytona 500 Mike Skinner Mark Martin Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
2 Goodwrench Service 400 Mark Martin Dale Jarrett Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
3 Pontiac Excitement 400 Terry Labonte Dale Jarrett Rusty Wallace Ford
4 Primestar 500 Robby Gordon Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Ford
5 TranSouth Financial 400 Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Ford
6 Interstate Batteries 500 Dale Jarrett Terry Labonte Jeff Burton Ford
7 Food City 500 Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
8 Goody's Headache Powder 500 Kenny Wallace Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
9 Save Mart Supermarkets 300 Mark Martin Mark Martin Mark Martin Ford
10 Winston 500 John Andretti Dale Earnhardt Mark Martin Ford
Winston Open Chad Little Ricky Craven Ricky Craven Chevrolet
The Winston Bill Elliott Bobby Labonte Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
11 Coca-Cola 600 Jeff Gordon Ernie Irvan Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
12 Miller 500 Bobby Labonte Dale Jarrett Ricky Rudd Ford
13 Pocono 500 Bobby Hamilton Ward Burton Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
14 Miller 400 Dale Jarrett Ted Musgrave Ernie Irvan Ford
15 California 500 pres. by NAPA Joe Nemechek Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
16 Pepsi 400 Mike Skinner John Andretti John Andretti Ford
17 Jiffy Lube 300 Ken Schrader Jeff Burton Jeff Burton Ford
18 Pennsylvania 500 Joe Nemechek Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Ford
19 Brickyard 400 Ernie Irvan Ernie Irvan Ricky Rudd Ford
20 The Bud at The Glen Todd Bodine Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
21 DeVilbiss 400 Johnny Benson Jr. Mark Martin Mark Martin Ford
22 Goody's Headache Powder 500 Kenny Wallace Dale Jarrett Dale Jarrett Ford
23 Mountain Dew Southern 500 Bobby Labonte Bill Elliott Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
24 Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400 Bill Elliott Jeff Burton Dale Jarrett Ford
25 CMT 300 Ken Schrader Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Chevrolet
26 MBNA 400 Mark Martin Mark Martin Mark Martin Ford
27 Hanes 500 Ward Burton Rusty Wallace Jeff Burton Ford
28 UAW-GM Quality 500 Geoff Bodine Bobby Labonte Dale Jarrett Ford
29 DieHard 500 Ernie Irvan Terry Labonte Terry Labonte Chevrolet
30 AC Delco 400 Bobby Labonte Ricky Craven Bobby Hamilton Pontiac
31 Dura Lube 500 pres. by Kmart Bobby Hamilton Rusty Wallace Dale Jarrett Ford
32 NAPA 500 Geoff Bodine Bobby Labonte Bobby Labonte Pontiac

Busch Clash

edit

The Busch Clash, a race for pole winners from the previous season, and drivers who have won the event before was run on February 9 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Terry Labonte drew the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 2-Rusty Wallace
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 22-Ward Burton
  5. 28-Ernie Irvan
  6. 6-Mark Martin
  7. 88-Dale Jarrett
  8. 25-Ricky Craven
  9. 30-Johnny Benson
  10. 37-Jeremy Mayfield

Gatorade 125s

edit

The Gatorade Twin 125s were run on February 13 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Mike Skinner and Steve Grissom were the pole sitters for races one and two, respectively. The races were broadcast tape-delayed on CBS just prior to the Daytona 500.

Race one results

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 31-Mike Skinner
  3. 28-Ernie Irvan
  4. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  5. 4-Sterling Marlin
  6. 6-Mark Martin
  7. 10-Ricky Rudd
  8. 18-Bobby Labonte
  9. 22-Ward Burton
  10. 29-Robert Pressley

Race two results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 94-Bill Elliott
  4. 33-Ken Schrader
  5. 21-Michael Waltrip
  6. 2-Rusty Wallace
  7. 30-Johnny Benson
  8. 5-Terry Labonte
  9. 40-Robby Gordon
  10. 17-Darrell Waltrip

39th Daytona 500

edit
Main article: 1997 Daytona 500

The 1997 Daytona 500 was run on February 16 at Daytona International Speedway. The #31 of Mike Skinner won the pole. The race ended under caution after a big crash with five laps remaining involved several cars. The race was broadcast on CBS.

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 25-Ricky Craven
  4. 94-Bill Elliott
  5. 4-Sterling Marlin
  6. 37-Jeremy Mayfield
  7. 6-Mark Martin
  8. 22-Ward Burton
  9. 10-Ricky Rudd
  10. 17-Darrell Waltrip

Failed to qualify: 91-Mike Wallace, 95-Gary Bradberry, 78-Billy Standridge, 15-Larry Pearson, 42-Joe Nemechek, 97-Chad Little, 75-Rick Mast, 96-David Green*, 0-Delma Cowart, and 84-Norm Benning.

  • Robert Pressley's car caught air after he spun on lap 10. The rear of the car lifted so much, the car was temporarily sliding across the track on its nose. The landing was quite hard, so after the crew repaired the car, then Busch Series competitor and future 2-time Camping World Truck Series Champion Todd Bodine hopped in to complete more laps.
  • Joe Nemechek's car owner Felix Sabates bought the #73 entry of Phil Barkdoll, who had qualified 38th. Nemechek went to the #73 for the 500.
  • Dale Earnhardt rolled his #3 Chevrolet in a crash with the #28 Ford of Ernie Irvan while in a four-way battle for the lead with 12 laps to go. In the crash, the hood of Irvan's car flew into the backstretch grandstand, injuring some fans. Earnhardt famously noticed that his tires were still on the car after the roll, had his car taken off the hook, and drove it back to pit road. The car was repaired and Earnhardt finished the race, 5 laps down in 31st. The car can be found in a diecast form in 1:64 and 1:24 scale and is known to collectors as the "crash car".
  • At age 25, Jeff Gordon became the youngest Daytona 500 winner ever until Trevor Bayne in 2011. Richard Petty had previously been the youngest winner in 1964 when he won the 500 at age 26.
  • Hendrick Motorsports posted a 1-2-3 finish with Gordon winning the race, Terry Labonte finishing second, and Ricky Craven finishing in third.

Goodwrench Service 400

edit

The Goodwrench Service 400 was run on February 23 at North Carolina Speedway. The #6 of Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 99-Jeff Burton
  4. 10-Ricky Rudd
  5. 25-Ricky Craven
  6. 2-Rusty Wallace
  7. 5-Terry Labonte
  8. 7-Geoff Bodine
  9. 28-Ernie Irvan
  10. 1-Morgan Shepherd
  • With this victory, Jeff Gordon became the fourth driver to win the Daytona 500 and the second race of the season.

Pontiac Excitement 400

edit

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held March 2 at Richmond International Raceway. Terry Labonte won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

  1. 2-Rusty Wallace
  2. 7-Geoff Bodine
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 24-Jeff Gordon (-1)
  5. 43-Bobby Hamilton (-1)
  6. 10-Ricky Rudd (-1)
  7. 5-Terry Labonte (-1)
  8. 18-Bobby Labonte (-1)
  9. 30-Johnny Benson (-1)
  10. 44-Kyle Petty (-2)
  • During the post-race inspection, Rusty Wallace's engine failed to meet the proper 14:1 compression ratio. Due to this, NASCAR suspended Wallace's victory and confiscated his car's motor. After conducting another test the following day, the cooler temperature engine met the required compression ratio. As a result, Wallace's victory was certified official.
  • Only 3 cars finished on the lead lap in this race.
  • This was the last Winston Cup race at Richmond International Raceway scheduled for the daytime (excluding three races that were rain-delayed from Saturday night) until 2016, and the last time that the first Richmond race of the season was held in March, due to the cold, wet weather that is often seen at Richmond in late winter.

Primestar 500

edit

The Primestar 500 was run on March 9 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. The #40 of Robby Gordon won the pole. The race was broadcast on ABC.

Top ten results

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 28-Ernie Irvan
  3. 1-Morgan Shepherd
  4. 18-Bobby Labonte
  5. 99-Jeff Burton
  6. 6-Mark Martin
  7. 21-Michael Waltrip
  8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  9. 5-Terry Labonte
  10. 43-Bobby Hamilton

Failed to qualify: 29-Robert Pressley, 36-Derrike Cope, 46-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Bobby Hillin Jr., 95-Ed Berrier, 08-Mike Miller

  • This was the final race held on the 1.522-mile (2.449 km) configuration of Atlanta Motor Speedway. Renovations had already started that would turn the racetrack into a 1.54-mile (2.48 km) quad-oval.
  • This race was red-flagged on lap 282 due to a crash involving the #41 of Steve Grissom. The #23 of Jimmy Spencer had spun out off Turn 2 and was hit by the #31 of Mike Skinner. Grissom spun to avoid this wreck and hit the inside wall near where there was a gate allowing infield access for motorhomes. Because of this, the car hit the wall tail first, breaking the wall, shearing the fuel cell out of the car, and putting Grissom on his roof. The #91 of Mike Wallace backed off the throttle upon seeing the accident, which caused his exhaust to throw flames right over the fuel cell (which was sitting along the outside wall at the end of the backstretch). This caused a significant fire. Grissom was not seriously injured.

TranSouth Financial 400

edit

The TranSouth Financial 400 was held March 23 at Darlington Raceway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 16-Ted Musgrave
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 99-Jeff Burton
  5. 18-Bobby Labonte
  6. 2-Rusty Wallace
  7. 21-Michael Waltrip
  8. 33-Ken Schrader
  9. 7-Geoff Bodine
  10. 30-Johnny Benson

Failed to qualify: 41-Steve Grissom, 78-Billy Standridge, 90-Dick Trickle

  • Phil Parsons substituted for Joe Nemechek, who was with family after his younger brother John's death. This was Parsons' final career Cup Series start.
  • First of only 2 times that Dale Jarrett would score back-to-back victories. The second time would come in 2001.
  • Until Kevin Harvick's win in this event on April 12, 2014, this would be the last Darlington race to be won by a driver who sat on the pole.

Interstate Batteries 500

edit
Main article: 1997 Interstate Batteries 500

The inaugural Interstate Batteries 500 was held April 6 at Texas Motor Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. This was the first race held at the track and the first NASCAR race in the state of Texas since 1981. The race was broadcast on CBS.

Top ten results

  1. 99-Jeff Burton*
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 18-Bobby Labonte
  4. 5-Terry Labonte
  5. 10-Ricky Rudd
  6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  7. 22-Ward Burton
  8. 4-Sterling Marlin
  9. 21-Michael Waltrip
  10. 41-Steve Grissom

Failed to qualify: 19-Gary Bradberry, 27-Rick Wilson, 29-Robert Pressley, 46-Wally Dallenbach Jr., 66-H. B. Bailey, 74-Randy LaJoie, 95-Ed Berrier, 96-David Green, 02-Mike Bliss

  • This was Jeff Burton's first career Winston Cup victory.
  • Even though this race was the inaugural event, the race date was acquired as part of the purchase of North Wilkesboro Speedway in 1996.
  • On the first lap of the race, 15 cars were involved in a multi-car accident in turns 1 and 2. Dale Earnhardt was involved in the incident, but was able to continue.
  • On lap 162, an 8-car crash on the tri-oval began when Mike Skinner, Brett Bodine and Sterling Marlin spun into the infield coming off turn 4, and Rusty Wallace struck the outside wall after getting into some oil. Later, Ernie Irvan rear-ended Greg Sacks at over 140 mph while trying to race leader Terry Labonte back to the flag to get his lap back and hit the outside wall. Jeff Gordon ran into the back of Irvan trying to avoid Sacks.
  • Ricky Craven suffered a concussion in a practice crash and was forced to sit out. This was the beginning of a series of injuries that adversely affected Craven's career over the next 4 years. Todd Bodine subbed for Craven in this race and ran very well until he crashed out of the lead.

Food City 500

edit

The Food City 500 was held on April 13 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 2-Rusty Wallace
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 88-Dale Jarrett
  5. 6-Mark Martin
  6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  7. 94-Bill Elliott
  8. 97-Chad Little
  9. 37-Jeremy Mayfield
  10. 11-Brett Bodine

Failed to qualify: 20-Greg Sacks, 77-Bobby Hillin Jr., 78-Billy Standridge, 91-Mike Wallace

  • This race had 20 cautions for 132 laps. The 20 cautions at the time tied a record for most cautions with the 1989 spring event at Bristol. However, this race had an additional 34 laps run under caution compared to the 1989 event.
  • On the last lap, Jeff Gordon bumped Rusty Wallace out of the way in Turn 4 to win the race. Wallace barely was able to hold off Terry Labonte for 2nd.
  • Jack Sprague subbed for Ricky Craven in this race due to Craven's injury at Texas last weekend.

Goody's Headache Powder 500

edit

The Goody's Headache Powder 500 was held April 20 at Martinsville Speedway. Kenny Wallace won the pole. It was FILMAR Racing's first career pole of the season. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 5-Terry Labonte
  5. 2-Rusty Wallace
  6. 81-Kenny Wallace
  7. 37-Jeremy Mayfield
  8. 18-Bobby Labonte
  9. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  10. 33-Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: 19-Gary Bradberry, 20-Lance Hooper, 78-Billy Standridge, 79-Randy MacDonald, 96-David Green

  • Winner Jeff Gordon was spun out at one point of the race by Jimmy Spencer but was able to recover from the spin to win the race.
  • Ricky Craven returned to the #25 Chevrolet after missing 2 races due to the concussion he suffered at Texas. He finished 22nd, 2 laps down.
  • Jeff Gordon led 431 of the 500 laps in this race, the most laps he has led in a single race in his career.

Save Mart Supermarkets 300

edit

The Save Mart Supermarkets 300 was held May 4 at Sears Point Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 88-Dale Jarrett
  5. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  6. 11-Brett Bodine
  7. 21-Michael Waltrip
  8. 28-Ernie Irvan
  9. 99-Jeff Burton
  10. 22-Ward Burton

Failed to qualify: 29-Robert Pressley, 42-Joe Nemechek, 45-Gary Smith, 75-Rick Mast, 78w-Chuck Pruitt, 90-Dick Trickle, 96-David Green, 97-Chad Little, 09-R. K. Smith

  • The Melling Racing #9 team technically did not make the trip to Sears Point due to a lack of funding. However, they allowed Jeff Davis' Winston West Series team to use their number on their Ford so that the Melling team could get the owners' points. Davis ended up crashing out of the race, finishing 37th.
  • This was the last race for the Winston Cup Series on the 2.52-mile (4.06 km) configuration at Sears Point Raceway until 2019. After this event, a purpose-built section was added for the NASCAR weekend.
  • After David Green failed to qualify, Caterpillar put their logos on the #35 Ford was driven by Larry Gunselman, one of the Winston West teams. Gunselman started the race, but Green did get in the car and drive at one point.
  • The #19 Child Support Recovery Ford for Tri-Star Motorsports that was driven by Gary Bradberry in the race was actually qualified by Ken Pedersen, a driver in Winston West at the time.
  • The #78 Ford for Triad Motorsports tapped Tom Hubert, a crew member for Bahari Racing, to qualify the #78 in 2nd round qualifying. When Hubert (who had some road racing experience in other classes) qualified fast enough to earn the 27th starting spot in the race, Hubert was put in the car for the race to temporarily replace the team's regular driver, Billy Standridge.
  • This was the final race at Sears Point held in May, as it had been for the previous 5 years. In 1998, the race moved to the last Sunday in June, where it would remain through 2017.
  • Geoff Bodine Racing's sponsor; QVC, ran an unusual promotion in which a lucky fan would get their name and face on Geoff Bodine's #7 QVC Ford, with the winner being Mississippi native Dawn Gillis. Ultimately, however, Bodine would finish in last place.

Winston 500

edit
Main article: 1997 Winston 500

The Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway was originally scheduled for Sunday, April 27, but rain forced the race to be postponed. Teams returned on Saturday, May 10 (Mother's Day weekend), and the race was held under sunny skies.

John Andretti started from the pole position. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 18-Bobby Labonte
  4. 98-John Andretti
  5. 24-Jeff Gordon
  6. 5-Terry Labonte
  7. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  8. 99-Jeff Burton
  9. 30-Johnny Benson
  10. 28-Ernie Irvan

Failed to qualify: 19-Gary Bradberry, 42-Joe Nemechek*, 73-Phil Barkdoll, 78-Billy Standridge, 91-Mike Wallace, 95-Ed Berrier

  • The race was run caution-free, the first time in Talladega history. It also stands as the fastest 500-mile (800 km) race in NASCAR history (at 188.354 mph (303.126 km/h), a record that still stands).
  • Joe Nemechek drove the #40 Chevrolet in place of Robby Gordon during this race since Gordon was attempting to do the Indy-Charlotte double in 1997. As a result of the rescheduled race, it conflicted with Pole Day at Indianapolis. As part of the contract that Gordon signed with SABCO Racing, the owner Felix Sabates provided a team for Gordon to attempt Indianapolis with. As for Nemechek, he finished 19th, 1 lap down in Gordon's car.
  • This was the last race for the #20 Ford for Ranier-Walsh Racing. The acquisition of their sponsor Hardee's by CKE Restaurants resulted in the company pulling sponsorship of the team. Without sponsorship, the team shut its doors. The #20 car would remain inactive until 1999 when Tony Stewart drove it for Joe Gibbs Racing.
  • Final time in his career that Mark Martin would win back-to-back races.

Winston Open

edit

The Winston Open was held before The Winston All-Star Race on May 17 at Charlotte Motor Speedway as a last chance qualifier race for the cars that had not won a race yet in 1997 or late 1996 and was not a past champion. Chad Little won the pole. The winner of this race would qualify to be in The Winston All-Star Race.

Top ten results

  1. 25-Ricky Craven
  2. 41-Steve Grissom
  3. 9-Lake Speed
  4. 97-Chad Little
  5. 8-Hut Stricklin
  6. 46-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
  7. 30-Johnny Benson
  8. 33-Ken Schrader
  9. 98-John Andretti
  10. 31-Mike Skinner

The Winston

edit
Main article: 1997 The Winston

The Winston is the All-Star Race for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 17 after the Winston Open Race. Drivers have to qualify; Win a race since last year The Winston race, Win the Winston Open qualifier race, or Win one of The Winston All-Star Races from the past 5 years. This race was run in 3 segments with 2 30 lap segments and a 10 lap shootout segment for a total of 70 laps. Bill Elliott won the pole. Dale Jarrett won the first segment and Bobby Labonte won the second segment. The final segment results are posted in the top ten below. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten final segment results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 18-Bobby Labonte
  3. 5-Terry Labonte
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  6. 6-Mark Martin
  7. 88-Dale Jarrett
  8. 25-Ricky Craven
  9. 10-Ricky Rudd
  10. 94-Bill Elliott
  • The only caution came on the 3rd lap of the first segment when Bobby Labonte spun coming off turn 4.
  • Gordon started 19th because of a problem during his qualifying run.
  • After the first segment was completed, the finishing order would be inverted for the start of the 2nd segment. The finishing order of the 2nd segment determined how the field would line up for the final segment. Caution laps counted in the first two 30-lap stages; however, only green flag laps were recorded in the final 10-lap stage.
  • Speedvision carried a special live in-car simulcast of this race.
  • During the prerace activities for The Winston, Indy Racing League driver Tony Stewart, who had qualified 2nd for the Indianapolis 500, drove several laps around the track in his IndyCar to promote the IRL race to be held at Charlotte two months later.

Coca-Cola 600

edit
Main article: 1997 Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jeff Gordon won the pole. The race was shortened to 333 laps due to time issues after a long rain delay; it was after 1:00 am EDT when the race was completed. The race was broadcast on TBS.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 2-Rusty Wallace
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 94-Bill Elliott
  5. 99-Jeff Burton
  6. 18-Bobby Labonte
  7. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  8. 5-Terry Labonte
  9. 1-Morgan Shepherd
  10. 10-Ricky Rudd

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Bobby Hillin Jr., 91-Mike Wallace, 95-Ed Berrier, 97-Chad Little

  • Race shortened to 333 laps (499.5 Miles) due to rain.
  • Geoff Bodine suffered a concussion in a practice crash on the Wednesday before the race in Turn 1. As a result, Geoff tapped his younger brother Todd to drive his #7 Ford in the race. However, the engine blew after Todd had made a run up through the field, leaving him with a 42nd-place finish.
  • This was the final race for flagman Doyle Ford, who had spent 38 years as a NASCAR official.

Miller 500

edit

The Miller 500 was held June 1 at Dover Downs International Speedway. The #18 of Bobby Labonte won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

  1. 10-Ricky Rudd
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 99-Jeff Burton
  4. 37-Jeremy Mayfield
  5. 44-Kyle Petty
  6. 33-Ken Schrader
  7. 21-Michael Waltrip
  8. 94-Bill Elliott
  9. 31-Mike Skinner
  10. 4-Sterling Marlin

Failed to qualify: 78-Billy Standridge, 95-Ed Berrier

  • This was the last 500-mile (800 km) race held at Dover.
  • Robby Gordon, in a rather freak incident during the Indianapolis 500, suffered significant burns to his legs early on when an invisible fire started in the cockpit of his #42 Chevy-powered G-Force. This forced him to sit out for a couple of weeks. Wally Dallenbach Jr. subbed for Gordon at Dover, finishing 36th after suffering electrical problems. He was credited with completing 364 laps of the 500 lap distance.
  • Three different leaders had problems in the last 50 miles of the race. Second-place Jeff Gordon hit the back of leader Dale Jarrett while trying to avoid a spinning Kenny Wallace on lap 452. The contact broke Gordon's radiator and forced him behind the wall for repairs, eventually finishing 26th. Jarrett retook the lead after the caution, but blew an engine 5 laps after the restart; he finished 32nd. Jarrett's teammate Ernie Irvan inherited the lead and led the following 9 laps, but on lap 472, Chad Little broke a rear end in Turn 1 and dropped grease on the track. Irvan hit it, spun, and crashed out, finishing 30th. That gave the lead to Rudd, who held it the final 27 laps to win.

Pocono 500

edit

The Pocono 500 was held June 8 at Pocono Raceway. The #43 of Bobby Hamilton won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 99-Jeff Burton
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 6-Mark Martin
  5. 37-Jeremy Mayfield
  6. 16-Ted Musgrave
  7. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  8. 7-Geoff Bodine
  9. 5-Terry Labonte
  10. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  • Greg Sacks was tapped to sub for Robby Gordon in the #40 starting here at Pocono. He qualified 4th but spun into the wall coming out of Turn 1 on Lap 9 immediately in front of Jeff Gordon.

Miller 400

edit

The Miller 400 was held June 15 at Michigan Speedway. Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was broadcast on CBS.

Top ten results

  1. 28-Ernie Irvan*
  2. 94-Bill Elliott
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 16-Ted Musgrave
  5. 24-Jeff Gordon
  6. 88-Dale Jarrett
  7. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  8. 36-Derrike Cope
  9. 18-Bobby Labonte
  10. 30-Johnny Benson
  • This was Ernie Irvan's 15th and final Winston Cup victory, and it came at the very same track where he had almost lost his life three years earlier. He had tears in his eyes as he brought the 28 car into Victory Lane. The win also came in his last year with Robert Yates Racing.
  • This was the 1st career Winston Cup start for Jerry Nadeau in the #1 Pontiac for Precision Products Racing. He replaced Morgan Shepherd in the car.
  • This race would be the final CBS race that Ken Squier was the lap-by-lap announcer for. Starting with the DieHard 500 in October, all future races aired on CBS would have Mike Joy as the lap-by-lap announcer while Squier was transferred to serving as the studio host.

California 500 presented by NAPA

edit
Main article: 1997 California 500

The inaugural California 500 presented by NAPA was held on June 22 at California Speedway. The #42 of Joe Nemechek won the pole. The race was broadcast on ABC.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 10-Ricky Rudd
  4. 16-Ted Musgrave
  5. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  6. 18-Bobby Labonte
  7. 29-Jeff Green
  8. 88-Dale Jarrett
  9. 25-Ricky Craven
  10. 6-Mark Martin

Failed to qualify: 78-Billy Standridge, 81-Kenny Wallace, 91-Mike Wallace*

  • After Mike Wallace failed to qualify for the race, his team hastily entered the 200-mile (320 km) Winston West race which was run the day before the Winston Cup race. He finished 3rd to Ken Schrader in that race.
  • Mark Martin ran out of gas with 10 laps to go and was forced to the pits for additional fuel. However, they did not get enough fuel in the car. This resulted in Martin running out of gas again on the last lap and having to coast to the line.
  • This was the only Cup race at California Speedway run in June. The following year, the California 500 moved to the first week of May, swapping dates with Sears Point Raceway.

Pepsi 400

edit

The Pepsi 400 was held on July 5 at Daytona International Speedway. The #31 of Mike Skinner won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN for the last time.

Top ten results

  1. 98-John Andretti
  2. 5-Terry Labonte
  3. 4-Sterling Marlin
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 88-Dale Jarrett
  6. 2-Rusty Wallace
  7. 44-Kyle Petty
  8. 99-Jeff Burton
  9. 28-Ernie Irvan
  10. 18-Bobby Labonte

Failed to qualify: 7-Geoff Bodine, 29-Jeff Green, 91-Loy Allen Jr.

  • This was John Andretti's first Winston Cup career win.
  • This was the last July race at Daytona scheduled to run during the day. The 2014 Coke Zero 400 was run during the day, but only after being postponed due to rain the previous night.
  • The race ended with a 1 lap shootout, likely the last such shootout in the Winston Cup Series. John Andretti's crew chief Tony Furr employed a rather cynical strategy of brake-checking the field on the final restart, resulting in a stack-up of cars on the backstretch. As the field entered the final turns, cars spread out 3 and 4 wide, resulting in a multi-car wreck developed in turn 4. On ESPN's telecast of the race, the spotter for one of the drivers involved could be heard yelling "Goddammit."
  • It was also Cale Yarborough's first and only victory as a car owner.

Jiffy Lube 300

edit

The Jiffy Lube 300 was held July 13 at New Hampshire International Speedway. #33 of Ken Schrader won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

  1. 99-Jeff Burton
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 41-Steve Grissom
  5. 6-Mark Martin
  6. 94-Bill Elliott
  7. 5-Terry Labonte
  8. 28-Ernie Irvan
  9. 10-Ricky Rudd
  10. 7-Geoff Bodine

Pennsylvania 500

edit

The Pennsylvania 500 was held July 20 at Pocono Raceway. The #42 of Joe Nemechek won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.

Top ten results

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 99-Jeff Burton
  4. 16-Ted Musgrave
  5. 6-Mark Martin
  6. 31-Mike Skinner
  7. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  8. 44-Kyle Petty
  9. 37-Jeremy Mayfield
  10. 94-Bill Elliott

Brickyard 400

edit
Main article: 1997 Brickyard 400

The Brickyard 400 was held August 3 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole. The race was broadcast on ABC.

Top ten results

  1. 10-Ricky Rudd
  2. 18-Bobby Labonte
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 24-Jeff Gordon
  5. 37-Jeremy Mayfield
  6. 6-Mark Martin
  7. 30-Johnny Benson
  8. 94-Bill Elliott
  9. 31-Mike Skinner
  10. 28-Ernie Irvan

Failed to qualify: 1-Mike Wallace, 7-Geoff Bodine, 8-Hut Stricklin, 61-Tim Steele, 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Morgan Shepherd, 78-Bobby Hillin Jr., 90-Dick Trickle

  • First time since 1987 that Ricky Rudd win multiple races in a season.

The Bud at The Glen

edit

The Bud at The Glen was held August 10 at Watkins Glen International. The #34 of Todd Bodine (in a one-off Winston Cup race for Team 34 Racing, his Busch Series team at the time) won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 7-Geoff Bodine
  3. 2-Rusty Wallace
  4. 40-Robby Gordon
  5. 6-Mark Martin
  6. 16-Ted Musgrave
  7. 94-Bill Elliott
  8. 5-Terry Labonte
  9. 41-Steve Grissom
  10. 46-Wally Dallenbach Jr.
  • This was Jeff Gordon's 1st career victory on a road course, beginning a streak of 6 consecutive road course wins that lasted until 2000.
  • This race was the 1st career Winston Cup start for Steve Park, driving the #14 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Inc. He qualified well but ended up finishing 33rd, 2 laps down.

DeVilbiss 400

edit

The DeVilbiss 400 was held August 17 at Michigan Speedway. The #30 of Johnny Benson won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 24-Jeff Gordon
  3. 16-Ted Musgrave
  4. 28-Ernie Irvan
  5. 88-Dale Jarrett
  6. 18-Bobby Labonte
  7. 94-Bill Elliott
  8. 99-Jeff Burton
  9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  10. 5-Terry Labonte
  • Mark Martin won after coming from 2 laps down after suffering a blown left rear tire.
  • Roush Racing drivers dominated the day leading 177 of 200 laps.

Goody's Headache Powder 500

edit

The Goody's Headache Powder 500 was held August 23 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The #81 of Kenny Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 90-Dick Trickle
  4. 99-Jeff Burton
  5. 41-Steve Grissom
  6. 33-Ken Schrader
  7. 5-Terry Labonte
  8. 18-Bobby Labonte
  9. 7-Geoff Bodine*
  10. 4-Sterling Marlin

Failed to qualify: 40-Robby Gordon, 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Morgan Shepherd

  • Jeff Gordon was spun out of the lead by Jeremy Mayfield around the halfway point of the race.
  • David Green got on his side during a crash around lap 260. The ground along on his driver's side after getting bounced off the #36 of Derrike Cope into the wall coming off Turn 4. After sliding about 450 feet (140 m) with other cars spinning around him, the car flipped over once and got back on all 4 wheels. Green was ok.
  • Shortly after the halfway point, Geoff Bodine's crew chief Pat Tryson quit the team, apparently unhappy with the way the team was (or wasn't) being managed.

Mountain Dew Southern 500

edit
Main article: 1997 Mountain Dew Southern 500

The Mountain Dew Southern 500 was held August 31 at Darlington Raceway. Bobby Labonte won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon*
  2. 99-Jeff Burton
  3. 88-Dale Jarrett
  4. 94-Bill Elliott
  5. 10-Ricky Rudd
  6. 5-Terry Labonte
  7. 18-Bobby Labonte
  8. 6-Mark Martin
  9. 21-Michael Waltrip
  10. 33-Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Morgan Shepherd, 91-Greg Sacks

  • Jeff Gordon's victory made him the 2nd and final driver, joining Bill Elliott, to win the Winston Million. Ironically, the 2 drivers that won the Winston Million won it in the very first running in 1985, and in the very last running in 1997. The program was replaced the following season in 1998 with the No Bull 5 program, which offered five drivers (that finished in the Top 5 of the last No Bull 5 race) the chance to win 1 million dollars.
  • Dale Earnhardt mysteriously passed out during the pace laps for the race and hit the wall. Nobody is really sure what caused this, but Earnhardt had to step out of the car for the day. Once the car was repaired, Busch Series driver Mike Dillon (the son-in-law of car owner Richard Childress) was tapped to sub in the #3. Dillon drove the car to a 30th-place finish, 85 laps down.
  • "Jeff Burton will make a challenge off the corner onto the straightaway, but Jeff Gordon wins it!" - Bob Jenkins as Jeff Burton tried to challenge Gordon for the victory in the last corners

Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400

edit

The Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400 was held September 6 at Richmond International Raceway. The #94 of Bill Elliott won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 99-Jeff Burton
  3. 24-Jeff Gordon
  4. 7-Geoff Bodine
  5. 2-Rusty Wallace
  6. 42-Joe Nemechek
  7. 22-Ward Burton
  8. 27-Kenny Irwin Jr.*
  9. 16-Ted Musgrave
  10. 37-Jeremy Mayfield

CMT 300

edit

The CMT 300 was held September 14 at New Hampshire International Speedway. The #33 of Ken Schrader won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

  1. 24-Jeff Gordon
  2. 28-Ernie Irvan
  3. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  4. 41-Steve Grissom
  5. 25-Ricky Craven
  6. 88-Dale Jarrett
  7. 23-Jimmy Spencer
  8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  9. 6-Mark Martin
  10. 8-Hut Stricklin
  • This was the 1st September race held at New Hampshire International Speedway. The race date was acquired as part of the purchase of North Wilkesboro Speedway in 1996 that resulted in its dates being split.
  • Jeff Burton had an inner ear problem and required relief from Todd Bodine.
  • 10th and final win of 1997 for Jeff Gordon.
  • Jeff Gordon became the 1st driver since Darrell Waltrip in 1981 & 1982 to score 10 victories in back-to-back seasons. However, Darrell Waltrip scored 12 victories in each season.

MBNA 400

edit

The MBNA 400 was held September 21 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

  1. 6-Mark Martin
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 44-Kyle Petty
  4. 18-Bobby Labonte
  5. 88-Dale Jarrett
  6. 10-Ricky Rudd
  7. 24-Jeff Gordon
  8. 94-Bill Elliott
  9. 28-Ernie Irvan
  10. 75-Rick Mast

Failed to qualify: 14-Steve Park

  • This was the first 400-mile (640 km) race at Dover.
  • Mark Martin and Kyle Petty dominated this race, with Martin leading 194 laps and Petty leading 191. This would also be Kyle Petty's last top 5 finish until the 2007 Coca-Cola 600.

Hanes 500

edit

The Hanes 500 was held September 29 at Martinsville Speedway. Ward Burton won the pole. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top ten results

  1. 99-Jeff Burton
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  4. 24-Jeff Gordon
  5. 94-Bill Elliott
  6. 81-Kenny Wallace
  7. 22-Ward Burton
  8. 25-Ricky Craven
  9. 33-Ken Schrader
  10. 28-Ernie Irvan

UAW-GM Quality 500

edit

The UAW-GM Quality 500 was held October 5 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The #7 of Geoff Bodine won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.

Top ten results

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 18-Bobby Labonte
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 6-Mark Martin
  5. 24-Jeff Gordon
  6. 99-Jeff Burton
  7. 94-Bill Elliott
  8. 22-Ward Burton
  9. 44-Kyle Petty
  10. 30-Johnny Benson

Failed to qualify: 14-Steve Park, 15-Greg Sacks, 17-Darrell Waltrip, 31-Mike Skinner, 40-Elliott Sadler*, 71-Dave Marcis, 75-Rick Mast

  • Waltrip failed to qualify because Terry Labonte, who was higher in points, used the past champion's provisional. This was Waltrip's first DNQ in 23 years; last time was the 1974 Winston 500.[1]
  • This was Rick Wilson's final Cup start.
  • This was the first career start for Kevin Lepage in the #91 Chevrolet. He finished 40th after wrecking.
  • Early in the race, there was an unusual water seepage problem on the backstretch. This resulted in the track near the outside wall in the middle of the backstretch being wet to the point where cars were kicking up spray. This did not cause any problems, however.
  • This was the first race for ISM Racing's #35 Pontiac with Todd Bodine as the driver. The car qualified well, then sank to the rear of the field and eventually finished 26th, 4 laps down.

DieHard 500

edit

The DieHard 500 was held October 12 at Talladega Superspeedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole. Like many Talladega races, the story was "the Big One", collecting 23 cars on lap 140 after Jeff Gordon cut a tire and turned into traffic. Mark Martin was furious after the wreck, and made an infamous quote. "I hate restrictor plate racing," he said while being interviewed by a pit reporter. The race was broadcast on CBS.

Top ten results

  1. 5–Terry Labonte
  2. 18–Bobby Labonte
  3. 98–John Andretti
  4. 33–Ken Schrader
  5. 28–Ernie Irvan
  6. 25–Ricky Craven
  7. 44–Kyle Petty
  8. 7–Geoff Bodine
  9. 75–Rick Mast
  10. 2–Rusty Wallace

Failed to qualify: 8–Hut Stricklin, 22–Ward Burton, 29–Jeff Green, 78–Gary Bradberry, 95–Ed Berrier

  • The top 5 (T. Labonte, B. Labonte, Andretti, Schrader, Irvan) became the first drivers eligible for the Winston No Bull 5 million dollar bonus for next season, meaning that if any of them were to win the 1998 Daytona 500, they would receive an extra $1 million.
  • With this win Terry Labonte became only the second Chevrolet driver to win a race in 1997. Jeff Gordon had all of the other wins for Chevrolet in 1997.
  • Last top 5 finish for Ernie Irvan.
  • Last Talladega race to be broadcast by CBS. The network's acquisition of the AFC broadcasting rights for 1998, coupled with NASCAR's shifting the second Talladega race from July to October, meant that CBS's 22-year relationship with Talladega came to an end after the 1997 running.
  • This was the last time the DieHard brand sponsored the second Talladega race. Starting in 1998, DieHard and Winston, sponsor of the spring Winston 500 race, swapped race sponsorships.
  • This would be the first CBS race for Mike Joy as the lap-by-lap broadcaster.

AC Delco 400

edit

The AC Delco 400 was held on Monday, October 27 at North Carolina Speedway. Bobby Labonte won the pole. It was originally scheduled to be run on Sunday, October 26 but heavy rain pushed the start to Monday morning. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

  1. 43–Bobby Hamilton
  2. 88–Dale Jarrett
  3. 25–Ricky Craven
  4. 24–Jeff Gordon
  5. 90–Dick Trickle
  6. 6–Mark Martin
  7. 5–Terry Labonte
  8. 3–Dale Earnhardt
  9. 4–Sterling Marlin
  10. 42–Joe Nemechek

Failed to qualify: 11–Brett Bodine, 71–Dave Marcis

Dura Lube 500 presented by Kmart

edit

The Dura Lube 500 presented by Kmart was held November 2 at Phoenix International Raceway. Bobby Hamilton won the pole. Dale Jarrett's victory in this race marked the final victory for the Ford Thunderbird. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

  1. 88-Dale Jarrett
  2. 2-Rusty Wallace
  3. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  4. 33-Ken Schrader
  5. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  6. 6-Mark Martin
  7. 30-Johnny Benson
  8. 41-Steve Grissom
  9. 44-Kyle Petty
  10. 7-Geoff Bodine

Failed to qualify: 1-Morgan Shepherd

NAPA 500

edit

The 1997 championship season finale was the NAPA 500 held November 16 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole at a speed of 197.478 mph (317.810 km/h), which at the time was the fastest qualifying lap ever run outside of Daytona and Talladega. During the summer, the track had been reconfigured from a traditional oval to a quad-shaped oval. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Jeff Gordon entered the race with a 77-point advantage over Dale Jarrett and an 88-point advantage over Mark Martin. During a practice session on Saturday, Gordon was driving down the pit lane, scrubbing his tires to heat them up on what was a cold morning. Gordon lost control and crashed into the parked car of Bobby Hamilton. Gordon had to go to a backup car, and qualified a lowly 37th. Gordon had to finish 18th or better to clinch the championship, but starting deep in the field, he had charge his way up through the pack. Jarrett finished 2nd, Martin 3rd, and Gordon 17th, while Bobby Labonte took the victory, the first win for Joe Gibbs Racing since the team switched from Chevrolet to Pontiac. Gordon ultimately hung on and won the title by only 14 points over Jarrett and 29 points over Martin, the closest three-way points finish under the Bob Latford 1975 points system.

Top ten results

  1. 18-Bobby Labonte
  2. 88-Dale Jarrett
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 29-Jeff Green
  5. 36-Derrike Cope
  6. 44-Kyle Petty
  7. 43-Bobby Hamilton
  8. 42-Joe Nemechek
  9. 22-Ward Burton
  10. 30-Johnny Benson

Failed to qualify: 8-Hut Stricklin, 35-Todd Bodine, 40-Greg Sacks, 71-Dave Marcis, 77-Robert Pressley, 95-Ed Berrier, 96-David Green

  • Bobby Labonte won the first race on the new 1.54 mile configuration on Atlanta and became the first driver to win on both configurations of the track.

NASCAR Thunder Special Suzuka

edit

The NASCAR Thunder Special Suzuka was a non points exhibition race held November 23 on the Suzuka Circuit - East Circuit in Japan. Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast on TBS.

Top ten results

  1. 31-Mike Skinner
  2. 6-Mark Martin
  3. 74-Randy LaJoie
  4. 96-David Green
  5. 21-Michael Waltrip
  6. 09-Jim Richards
  7. 72-Kenny Wallace
  8. 38-Butch Gilliland
  9. 5-Jack Sprague
  10. 7-Geoff Bodine
  • This was the final race for Ford Thunderbirds. Mark Martin ran a Thunderbird and finished 2nd.
  • Bill France Jr. suffered a mild heart attack during the trip to Japan. He recovered to live nearly another 10 years.
  • Rain tires were used on Winston Cup cars for the first time ever during Qualifying and Practice sessions.

Results and standings

edit
Further information: List of NASCAR points scoring systems

Drivers' championship

edit

(key) Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.

Pos Driver DAY CAR RCH ATL DAR TEX BRI MAR SON TAL CLT DOV POC MCH CAL DAY NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV MAR CLT TAL CAR PHO ATL Points
1 Jeff Gordon 1 1 4 42 3 30 1 1* 2 5 1 26 1 5 1* 21 23 2 4 1* 2 35 1 3 1* 7 4 5 35 4 17 17 4710
2 Dale Jarrett 23 2* 3* 1* 1* 2 4 16 4 35 27 32* 3 6 8 5 38 1* 3 32 5 1* 3 1 6 5 12 1 21 2 1 2 4696
3 Mark Martin 7* 13 13 6 24 38 5 3 1* 1 3 2 4 3 10 27 5 5 6 5 1* 2 8 25 9 1* 11 4 30 6 6 3 4681
4 Jeff Burton 11 3 42 5 4 1 42 15 9 8 5 3 2 14 30 8 1* 3 15 29 8 4 2 2* 14 11 1 6 14 38 13 34 4285
5 Dale Earnhardt 31 11 25 8 15 6 6 12 12 2* 7 16 10 7 16 4 2 12 29 16 9 14 30 15 8 2 2 3 29 8 5 16 4216
6 Terry Labonte 2 7 7 9 13 4* 3 4 3 6 8 14 9 39 2 2 7 35 40 8 10 7 6 17 41 37 22 11 1* 7 11 21 4177
7 Bobby Labonte 21 14 8 4 5 3 34 8 20 3 6 40 31 9 6 10 27 11 2 37 6 8 7 34 15 4 27 2* 2 11 23 1* 4101
8 Bill Elliott 4 22 15 38 16 11 7 37 32 18 4 8 32 2 32 33 6 10 8 7 7 16 4* 30 11 8 5 7 13 12 15 36 3836
9 Rusty Wallace 41 6 1 31 6 37 2* 5 40 37 2 39 22 29 14 6 3 37 38 3 13 12 43 5 21 16 15* 12 10 18 2* 32 3598
10 Ken Schrader 33 18 35 25 8 18 12 10 31 12 38 6 23 27 34 15 11 14 11 14 14 6 10 14 37 12 9 15 4 30 4 20 3576
11 Johnny Benson 28 27 9 11 10 28 31 17 21 9 15 21 27 10 13 16 18 13 7 11 24 18 19 13 19 28 19 10 19 36 7 10 3575
12 Ted Musgrave 13 12 20 34 2 35 38 24 11 24 23 11 6 4* 4 12 26 4 33 6 3 15 29 9 30 24 21 17 11 32 22 31 3556
13 Jeremy Mayfield 6 16 17 37 17 32 9 7 27 23 28 4 5 12 12 13 17 9 5 15 33 30 16 10 25 23 18 27 26 15 19 19 3547
14 Ernie Irvan 20 9 36 2 21 36 39 31 8 10 13* 30 29 1 37 9 8 40 10* 21 4 41 33 23 2 9 10 18 5 28 18 12 3534
15 Kyle Petty 14 29 10 13 33 27 29 40 13 40 14 5 14 26 31 7 13 8 13 26 23 36 32 20 12 3 26 9 7 22 9 6 3455
16 Bobby Hamilton 15 28 5 10 37 20 13 2 19 31 29 17 39 32 23 20 31 32 20 28 26 22 20 38 3 13 3 21 20 1 3 7 3450
17 Ricky Rudd 9 4 6 30 23 5 27 13 34 11 10 1 21 13 3 34 9 36 1 40 29 19 5 28 42 6 13 41 34 40 36 37 3330
18 Michael Waltrip 32 26 27 7 7 9 21 26 7 14 17 7 13 16 11 35 29 22 39 25 22 25 9 35 32 42 36 24 28 14 26 13 3173
19 Ricky Craven 3 5 14 35 40 22 39 27 37 13 16 18 9 37 16 18 16 17 12 13 31 18 5 41 8 25 6 3* 43 39 3108
20 Jimmy Spencer 35 40 22 32 22 39 15 11 14 7 18 22 19 15 5 31 12 7 24 34 19 27 28 11 7 36 33 42 24 43 14 24 3079
21 Steve Grissom 40 24 11 33 DNQ 10 32 20 17 41 11 24 18 38 17 38 4 30 26 9 25 5 21 12 4 21 40 13 32 24 8 28 3061
22 Geoff Bodine 34 8 2 20 9 14 33 29 44 43 42 8 40 35 DNQ 10 17 DNQ 2 11 9 12 4 16 14 28 43 8 19 10 33 3046
23 John Andretti 25 34 31 15 25 12 24 28 30 4 30 29 40 37 21 1* 14 24 17 20 35 11 37 22 17 15 29 32 3 31 39 22 3019
24 Ward Burton 8 23 24 12 18 7 18 18 10 42 36 34 38* 35 28 26 36 15 19 41 28 17 27 7 23 22 7 8 DNQ 26 42 9 2987
25 Sterling Marlin 5 20 19 23 32 8 20 21 26 39 40 10 15 17 36 3 22 20 43 13 43 10 40 39 39 27 39 20 38 9 27 11 2954
26 Darrell Waltrip 10 32 16 16 11 43 25 9 5 32 21 28 7 24 15 14 33 26 14 18 15 42 26 32 32 32 24 DNQ 37 29 12 40 2942
27 Derrike Cope 36 31 30 DNQ 20 41 16 34 18 13 12 20 11 8 29 28 20 16 41 38 16 32 14 16 26 30 36 33 18 20 16 5 2901
28 Joe Nemechek 27 35 39 39 29 19 19 DNQ 19 19 15 36 41 18 24 40 21 32 12 27 38 23 6 13 20 25 16 31 10 24 8 2754
29 Brett Bodine 18 17 23 18 35 19 10 27 6 33 26 33 25 19 26 23 42 29 18 39 31 31 15 21 33 26 17 30 22 DNQ 33 41 2716
30 Mike Skinner (R) 12 25 26 21 30 22 35 32 16 16 34 9 41 42 33 41 21 6 9 19 30 34 36 29 35 19 31 DNQ 33 23 28 23 2669
31 Dick Trickle 30 19 29 28 DNQ 23 11 30 DNQ 15 33 41 26 23 22 25 25 19 DNQ 39 3 13 19 22 18 42 14 23 5 40 14 2629
32 Rick Mast DNQ 21 18 17 19 31 17 36 DNQ 22 20 12 20 30 41 18 28 25 23 23 38 33 34 26 20 10 23 DNQ 9 42 31 35 2569
33 Kenny Wallace 22 41 40 29 14 13 41 6 36 24 39 27 34 43 DNQ 11 19 34 30 27 32 39 24 24 27 38 6 28 15 37 35 30 2462
34 Hut Stricklin 19 36 32 41 26 33 26 14 29 36 25 19 24 22 42 36 15 23 DNQ 36 36 23 17 27 10 17 16 35 DNQ 25 30 DNQ 2423
35 Lake Speed 24 15 12 22 36 16 36 25 21 24 11 20 29 12 21 29 18 36 18 14 38 36 17 37 26 2301
36 Chad Little DNQ DNQ 34 19 27 26 8 42 DNQ 34 DNQ 31 DNQ 25 19 42 30 28 42 42 42 20 11 40 28 29 35 23 40 16 25 18 2081
37 David Green (R) DNQ 38 33 24 41 DNQ 22 DNQ DNQ 38 16 18 28 28 25 19 24 39 35 22 20 40 37 40 25 20 31 16 27 29 DNQ 2038
38 Morgan Shepherd 29 10 43 3 12 24 28 35 23 28 9 38 12 DNQ 24 32 37 27 DNQ DNQ 40 DNQ DNQ DNQ 31 DNQ 22 12 34 DNQ 27 2033
39 Jeff Green (R) 22 37 35 31 7 DNQ 32 31 25 30 18 21 39 31 38 40 30 29 DNQ 21 32 4 1624
40 Robby Gordon (R) 16 33 28 14 34 34 43 41 41 QL 41 QL 22 34 42 28 4 17 DNQ 22 42 24 33 1495
41 Wally Dallenbach Jr. 42 DNQ DNQ 15 17 35 36 17 20 39 39 38 36 10 41 26 41 41 31 34 37 41 35 DNQ 38 1475
42 Dave Marcis 17 30 37 DNQ 28 15 30 38 25 30 DNQ 25 DNQ 34 40 17 35 41 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 29 34 DNQ DNQ 25 DNQ 34 DNQ 1405
43 Robert Pressley 39 37 21 DNQ 39 DNQ 14 23 DNQ 29 43 39 38 36 27 13 38 DNQ 984
44 Gary Bradberry DNQ DNQ 38 40 38 DNQ 37 DNQ 43 DNQ 31 35 33 DNQ 27 37 25 DNQ 34 35 DNQ 34 DNQ 40 DNQ 42 868
45 Greg Sacks 37 39 DNQ 27 29 40 DNQ 25 42 DNQ 27 DNQ 31 DNQ DNQ 39 39 21 DNQ 778
46 Mike Wallace DNQ DNQ DNQ 26 43 17 DNQ 39 22 DNQ DNQ 23 30 DNQ DNQ DNQ 541
47 Bobby Hillin Jr. 38 42 41 DNQ 42 42 DNQ 33 35 20 DNQ 43 37 DNQ DNQ DNQ 511
48 Lance Hooper DNQ 42 24 34 24 35 33 DNQ 402
49 Kenny Irwin Jr. 8 37 DNQ 20 25 390
50 Billy Standridge DNQ DNQ DNQ 36 DNQ 21 DNQ DNQ DNQ 32 DNQ DNQ 33 DNQ 40 DNQ 42 366
51 Steve Park DNQ 33 DNQ DNQ 41 DNQ 33 41 15 326
52 Todd Bodine 25 42 35 42 QL QL 26 DNQ 310
53 Rick Wilson DNQ 21 21 19 306
54 Jerry Nadeau 36 38 30 39 33 287
55 Ed Berrier DNQ DNQ 23 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 27 28 DNQ 255
56 Kevin Lepage DNQ 40 17 29 231
57 Jeff Purvis 37 38 39 152
58 Loy Allen Jr. 26 43 DNQ 119
59 Ron Barfield Jr. 22 97
60 Butch Gilliland 24 Wth 91
61 Tom Hubert 28 79
62 Phil Parsons 31 70
63 Dorsey Schroeder 31 70
64 Sean Woodside 33 64
65 Rich Bickle 34 61
66 Jeff Davis 37 52
67 Larry Gunselman 38 49
68 Jack Sprague 40 DNQ 43
69 Randy MacDonald DNQ 41 Wth 40
70 Buckshot Jones 43 34
71 Delma Cowart DNQ
72 Norm Benning DNQ
73 Larry Pearson DNQ Wth
74 Mike Miller DNQ
75 Randy LaJoie DNQ
76 H. B. Bailey DNQ
77 Mike Bliss DNQ DNQ
78 R. K. Smith DNQ
79 Gary Smith DNQ
80 Chuck Pruett DNQ
81 Bill McAnally DNQ
82 Scott Gaylord DNQ
83 Wayne Jacks DNQ
84 Rick Scribner DNQ
85 Phil Barkdoll QL DNQ
86 Tim Steele DNQ Wth
87 Ron Hornaday Jr. DNQ
88 A. J. Foyt Wth
Pos Driver DAY CAR RCH ATL DAR TEX BRI MAR SON TAL CLT DOV POC MCH CAL DAY NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV MAR CLT TAL CAR PHO ATL Points

NASCAR Rookie of the Year

edit

After running the Cup series part-time for a decade, Mike Skinner finally ran a full-time schedule, and walked away with three top-tens and the Rookie of the Year title. His closest runner-up was David Green, despite the fact Green did not finish any higher than sixteenth. Third place was Green's brother Jeff, who came into the season midway with Diamond Ridge Motorsports. The last place finisher was Robby Gordon, who suffered through a tumultuous season with Team SABCO, dealing with injuries and personal disputes.

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Martin, Mark (29 April 2005). NASCAR for Dummies. ISBN 9780471750987. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1997_NASCAR_Winston_Cup_Series&oldid=1242960227"