The 1997 NASCAR Busch Series began February 15 and ended November 9. Randy LaJoie of BACE Motorsports won the championship.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Randy_LaJoie.jpg/220px-Randy_LaJoie.jpg)
Teams and drivers
editComplete schedule
editList of full-time teams at the start of 1997.
Part-time schedule
editNo. | Driver | Make | Team | 1996 result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 | Ricky Craven | Chevrolet | Ricky Craven Racing | 29th |
22 | Scott Lagasse | Chevrolet | Super Sports Racing | new team |
24 | David Hutto | Chevrolet | Hutto Racing | 104th |
49 | Kyle Petty | Chevrolet | Shaver Racing | 72nd |
51 | Jim Bown | Chevrolet | Bown Racing | 33rd |
68 | Jamie Aube | Chevrolet | Wegner Motorsports | none |
70 | Dale Fischlein | Chevrolet | Mike Stegall Racing | 61st |
81 | Stanton Barrett | Chevrolet | Pro Tech Motorsports | 3rd |
87 | Joe Nemechek | Chevrolet | NEMCO Motorsports | 34th |
91 | Doug Reid III (R) | Chevrolet | Barney Walker Motorsports, Inc. | new team |
Schedule
editNo. | Race Title | Track | Date |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Gargoyles 300 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | February 15 |
2 | GM Goodwrench Service 200 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham | February 22 |
3 | Hardee's Fried Chicken 250 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond | March 1 |
4 | Stihl Outdoor Power Tools 300 | Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton | March 8 |
5 | Las Vegas 300 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas | March 16 |
6 | Diamond Hill Plywood 200 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington | March 22 |
7 | Galaxy Foods 300 | Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory | March 29 |
8 | Coca-Cola 300 | Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth | April 5 |
9 | Moore's Snacks 250 | Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol | April 12 |
10 | BellSouth Mobility/Opryland 320 | Nashville Speedway USA, Nashville | April 19 |
11 | Birmingham Auto Dealers Easycare 500k | Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega | April 26 |
12 | United States Cellular 200 | New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon | May 10 |
13 | CoreStates Advantage 200 | Nazareth Speedway, Nazareth | May 18 |
14 | Carquest Auto Parts 300 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | May 24 |
15 | GM Goodwrench/Delco Battery 200 | Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover | May 31 |
16 | Winston Motorsports 300 | South Boston Speedway, South Boston | June 13 |
17 | Lysol 200 | Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen | June 29 |
18 | Sears Auto Center 250 | The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis | July 6 |
19 | Advance Auto Parts 250 | Myrtle Beach Speedway, Myrtle Beach | July 12 |
20 | Gateway 300 | Gateway International Raceway, Madison | July 26 |
21 | Kroger NASCAR 200 Presented by Ziploc | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Brownsburg | August 1 |
22 | Detroit Gasket 200 | Michigan Speedway, Brooklyn | August 16 |
23 | Food City 250 | Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol | August 22 |
24 | Dura Lube 200 Presented by Trak Automotive | Darlington Raceway, Darlington | August 30 |
25 | Autolite Platinum 250 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond | September 5 |
26 | MBNA 200 | Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover | September 20 |
27 | All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | October 4 |
28 | Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 | California Speedway, Fontana | October 19 |
29 | AC Delco 200 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham | October 25 |
30 | Jiffy Lube Miami 300 | Homestead Motorsports Complex, Homestead | November 9 |
Races
editGargoyles 300
editThe Gargoyles 300 was held on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole.
Top ten results
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 21–Michael Waltrip
- 87–Joe Nemechek
- 63–Tracy Leslie
- 45–Greg Sacks
- 3–Steve Park
- 37–Mark Green
- 4–Jeff Purvis
- 10–Phil Parsons
Goodwrench Service 200
editThe Goodwrench Service 200 was held on February 22 at North Carolina Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.
Top ten results
- 60–Mark Martin
- 32–Dale Jarrett
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 10–Phil Parsons
- 29–Elliott Sadler
- 2–Ricky Craven
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 99–Glenn Allen Jr.
- 33–Tim Fedewa
Hardee's Fried Chicken 250
editThe Hardee's Fried Chicken 250 was held on March 1 at Richmond International Raceway. Randy LaJoie won the pole.
Top ten results
- 60–Mark Martin
- 8–Jeff Green
- 3–Steve Park
- 10–Phil Parsons
- 57–Jason Keller
- 9–Jeff Burton
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 94–Ron Barfield
- 44–Bobby Labonte
Stihl Outdoor Power Tools 300
editThe Stihl Outdoor Power Tools 300 was held on March 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Tim Bender won the pole.
Top ten results
- 60–Mark Martin
- 38–Elton Sawyer
- 44–Bobby Labonte
- 00–Buckshot Jones
- 87–Joe Nemechek
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 33–Tim Fedewa
- 10–Phil Parsons
- 29–Elliott Sadler
- 5–Terry Labonte
Las Vegas 300
editThe inaugural Las Vegas 300 was held on March 16 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.
Top ten results
- 8–Jeff Green
- 64–Dick Trickle
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 21–Michael Waltrip
- 4–Tim Steele
- 45–Greg Sacks
- 10–Phil Parsons
- 3–Steve Park
- 99–Glenn Allen Jr.
- 72–Mike Dillon
Diamond Hill Plywood 200
editThe Diamond Hill Plywood 200 was held on March 22 at Darlington Raceway. Elliott Sadler won the pole.
Top ten results
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 9–Jeff Burton
- 64–Dick Trickle
- 60–Mark Martin
- 10–Phil Parsons
- 00–Buckshot Jones
- 47–Jeff Fuller
- 8–Jeff Green
- 63–Tracy Leslie
- 36–Todd Bodine
Galaxy Foods 300
editThe Galaxy Foods 300 was held on March 29 at Hickory Motor Speedway. Todd Bodine won the pole.
Top ten results
- 64–Dick Trickle
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 33–Tim Fedewa
- 8–Jeff Green
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 38–Elton Sawyer
- 57–Jason Keller
- 39–Elliott Sadler
- 37–Mark Green
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
Coca-Cola 300
editThe inaugural Coca-Cola 300 was held on April 5 at Texas Motor Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.
- 60–Mark Martin
- 20–Jimmy Spencer
- 9–Jeff Burton
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 10–Phil Parsons
- 00–Buckshot Jones
- 88–Kevin Lepage
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 63–Tracy Leslie
Moore's Snacks 250
editThe Moore's Snacks 250 was held on April 12 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Hermie Sadler won the pole.
Top ten results
- 9–Jeff Burton
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 21–Michael Waltrip
- 64–Dick Trickle
- 3–Steve Park
- 33–Tim Fedewa
- 10–Phil Parsons
- 57–Jason Keller
- 00–Buckshot Jones
BellSouth Mobility/Opryland 320
editThe BellSouth Mobility/Opryland 320 was held on April 19 at Nashville Speedway USA. Mike McLaughlin won the pole.
Top ten results
- 3–Steve Park
- 8–Jeff Green
- 33–Tim Fedewa
- 28–Jeff Purvis
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 1–Hermie Sadler
- 88–Kevin Lepage
- 43–Dennis Setzer
- 00–Buckshot Jones
Birmingham Auto Dealers 500K
editThe Birmingham Auto Dealers 500K was held on April 26 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.
Top ten results
- 60–Mark Martin
- 3–Steve Park
- 8–Jeff Green
- 49–Kyle Petty
- 33–Tim Fedewa
- 4–Tim Steele
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 94–Ron Barfield
- 64–Dick Trickle
United States Cellular 200
editThe United States Cellular 200 was held on May 10 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Randy LaJoie won the pole.
Top ten results
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 3–Steve Park
- 47–Jeff Fuller
- 38–Elton Sawyer
- 10–Phil Parsons
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 80–Mark Krogh
- 76–Tom Bolles
- 4–Dale Shaw
CoreStates Advantage 200
editThe CoreStates Advantage 200 was held on May 18 at Nazareth Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole.
Top ten results
- 29–Elliott Sadler
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 8–Jeff Green
- 4–Dale Shaw
- 6–Joe Bessey
- 57–Jason Keller
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 00–Buckshot Jones
- 43–Dennis Setzer
Carquest Auto Parts 300
editThe Carquest Auto Parts 300 was held on May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.
Top ten results
- 87–Joe Nemechek
- 88–Kevin Lepage
- 60–Mark Martin
- 20–Jimmy Spencer
- 10–Phil Parsons
- 00–Buckshot Jones
- 34–Todd Bodine
- 57–Jason Keller
- 1–Hermie Sadler
- 74–Randy LaJoie
GM Goodwrench/Delco Battery 200
editThe GM Goodwrench/Delco Battery 200 was held on May 31 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Dick Trickle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 44–Bobby Labonte
- 9–Jeff Burton
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 88–Kevin Lepage
- 3–Steve Park
- 32–Dale Jarrett
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 5–Terry Labonte
- 38–Elton Sawyer
- 21–Michael Waltrip
Winston Motorsports 300
editThe Winston Motorsports 300 was held on June 13 at South Boston Speedway. Shane Hall won the pole.
Top ten results
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 4–Dale Shaw
- 00–Buckshot Jones
- 88–Kevin Lepage
- 38–Elton Sawyer
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 57–Jason Keller
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 6–Joe Bessey
Lysol 200
editThe Lysol 200 was held on June 29 at Watkins Glen International. Joe Nemechek won the pole.
Top ten results
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 87–Joe Nemechek
- 20–Jimmy Spencer
- 5–Terry Labonte
- 3–Steve Park
- 44–Bobby Labonte
- 32–Dale Jarrett
- 1–Hermie Sadler
- 85–Shane Hall
Sears Auto Center 250
editThe Sears Auto Center 250 was held on July 6 at The Milwaukee Mile. Tim Fedewa won the pole.
Top ten results
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 29–Elliott Sadler
- 1–Hermie Sadler
- 00–Buckshot Jones
- 3–Steve Park
- 38–Elton Sawyer
- 10–Phil Parsons
- 4–Dale Shaw
- 63–Tracy Leslie
- 33–Tim Fedewa
Advance Auto Parts 250
editThe Advance Auto Parts 250 was held on July 12 at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole.
Top ten results
- 29–Elliott Sadler
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 38–Elton Sawyer
- 72–Mike Dillon
- 99–Glenn Allen Jr.
- 28–Jeff Purvis
- 3–Steve Park
- 00–Buckshot Jones
Gateway 300
editThe inaugural Gateway 300 was held on July 26 at Gateway International Raceway. Joe Bessey won the pole.
Top ten results
- 29–Elliott Sadler
- 57–Jason Keller
- 4–Dale Shaw
- 38–Elton Sawyer
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 33–Tim Fedewa
- 45–Jeff Fuller
- 37–Mark Green
- 6–Joe Bessey
- 43–Dennis Setzer
Kroger 200 presented by Ziploc
editThe Kroger 200 presented by Ziploc was held on August 1 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Randy LaJoie won the pole.
Top ten results
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 29–Elliott Sadler
- 38–Elton Sawyer
- 33–Tim Fedewa
- 83–Wayne Grubb
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 00–Buckshot Jones
- 3–Steve Park
- 56–Jeff Krogh
- 57–Jason Keller
Detroit Gasket 200
editThe Detroit Gasket 200 was held on August 16 at Michigan International Speedway. Hermie Sadler won the pole.
Top ten results
- 3–Steve Park
- 20–Jimmy Spencer
- 44–Bobby Labonte
- 9–Jeff Burton
- 00–Buckshot Jones
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 31–Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 10–Phil Parsons
- 4–Dale Shaw
Failed to qualify: Mark Day (#16), Lyndon Amick (#35), Greg Sacks (#50), Nathan Buttke (#78), Ron Barfield (#94), Doug Reid III (#97)
Food City 250
editThe Food City 250 was held on August 22 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Randy LaJoie won the pole. Buckshot Jones, who finished 26th, received a 50–point penalty after intentionally trying to wreck Randy LaJoie.
Top ten results
- 20–Jimmy Spencer
- 3–Steve Park
- 47–Robert Pressley
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 75–Rick Wilson
- 44–Bobby Labonte
- 96–Stevie Reeves
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 45–Jeff Fuller
- 88–Kevin Lepage
Dura Lube 200 presented by Trak Automotive
editThe Dura Lube 200 presented by Trak Automotive was held on August 30 at Darlington Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole. This was the first race run at the racetrack after the start-finish line was moved to the back straightaway.
Top ten results
- 9–Jeff Burton
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 64–Dick Trickle
- 44–Bobby Labonte
- 3–Steve Park
- 60–Mark Martin
- 1–Hermie Sadler
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 29–Elliott Sadler
- 2–Ricky Craven
Autolite Platinum 250
editThe Autolite Platinum 250 was held on September 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Michael Waltrip won the pole.
Top ten results
- 3–Steve Park
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 9–Jeff Burton
- 64–Dick Trickle
- 00–Buckshot Jones
- 4–Dale Shaw
- 57–Jason Keller
- 60–Mark Martin
- 33–Tim Fedewa
- 1–Hermie Sadler
MBNA 200
editThe MBNA 200 was held on September 20 at Dover International Speedway. Dick Trickle won the pole.
Top ten results
- 6–Joe Bessey
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 72–Mike Dillon
- 3–Steve Park
- 29–Elliott Sadler
- 63–Tracy Leslie
- 99–Glenn Allen Jr.
- 5–Terry Labonte
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- This would be the first and only win of Bessey's career.
All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300
editThe All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 was held on October 4 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.
Top ten results
- 20–Jimmy Spencer
- 60–Mark Martin
- 44–Tony Stewart
- 9–Jeff Burton
- 37–Mark Green
- 3–Steve Park
- 32–Dale Jarrett
- 87–Joe Nemechek
- 18–Bobby Labonte
- 00–Buckshot Jones
Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300
editThe inaugural Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 was held on October 19 at California Speedway. Steve Park won the pole.
Top ten results
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 3–Steve Park
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 21–Michael Waltrip
- 47–Robert Pressley
- 72–Mike Dillon
- 99–Glenn Allen Jr.
- 43–Dennis Setzer
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 74–Randy LaJoie
AC Delco 200
editThe AC Delco 200 was held on October 25 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeff Burton won the pole.
Top ten results
- 60–Mark Martin
- 64–Dick Trickle
- 2–Ricky Craven
- 9–Jeff Burton
- 1–Hermie Sadler
- 3–Steve Park
- 34–Mike McLaughlin
- 37–Mark Green
- 44–Tony Stewart
- 47–Robert Pressley
Jiffy Lube Miami 300
editThe Jiffy Lube Miami 300 was held on November 9 at Homestead Motorsports Complex. Mike McLaughlin won the pole.
Top ten results
- 87–Joe Nemechek
- 74–Randy LaJoie
- 60–Mark Martin
- 99–Glenn Allen Jr.
- 20–Jimmy Spencer
- 17–Matt Kenseth
- 36–Todd Bodine
- 88–Kevin Schwantz
- 6–Joe Bessey
- 33–Tim Fedewa
- This was a very emotional win for Nemechek, as his brother lost his life at HMS just 8 months earlier.
Full Drivers' Championship
edit(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.
Pos | Driver | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | LVS | DAR | HCY | TEX | BRI | NSV | TAL | NHA | NAZ | CLT | DOV | SBO | GLN | MIL | MYB | GTY | IRP | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | CLT | CAL | CAR | HOM | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Randy LaJoie | 1* | 3 | 8 | 16 | 29 | 1* | 2* | 9 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 1* | 21 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 1* | 17 | 4 | 18 | 2 | 2* | 15 | 10 | 20 | 2 | 4381 |
2 | Todd Bodine | 2 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 30 | 5 | 8 | 6* | 2 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 4 | 24 | 25 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 25 | 15 | 20 | 1 | 34 | 7 | 4115 |
3 | Steve Park (R) | 7 | 32 | 3 | 42 | 8 | 34 | 13 | 35 | 6 | 1* | 2 | 2 | 29 | 16 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 5* | 9 | 15 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 4080 |
4 | Mike McLaughlin | 33 | 8 | 27 | 17 | 24 | 33 | 10 | 5* | 2* | 13 | 35 | 1 | 8 | 33 | 23 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 5 | 37 | 13 | 16 | 2 | 32 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 22 | 3614 |
5 | Elliott Sadler | 15 | 5 | 26 | 9 | 30 | 29 | 8 | 20 | 14 | 30 | 16 | 34 | 1* | 21 | 12 | 22 | 11 | 2 | 1* | 1 | 2 | 18 | 41 | 9 | 21 | 6 | 14 | 26 | 28 | 15 | 3534 |
6 | Phil Parsons | 10 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 19 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 39 | 5 | 20 | 5 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 7 | 13 | 23 | 28 | 9 | 32 | 28 | 12 | 22 | 26 | 32 | 11 | 30 | 3523 |
7 | Buckshot Jones | 12 | 13 | 13 | 4 | 39 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 38 | 41 | 9 | 6 | 17 | 3 | 20 | 4 | 10 | 25 | 7 | 5 | 26 | 32 | 5 | 23 | 10 | 40 | 15 | 26 | 3437 |
8 | Elton Sawyer | 16 | 12 | 11 | 2 | 31 | 17 | 6 | 11 | 32 | 17 | 42 | 4 | 23 | 43 | 9 | 5 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 34 | 13 | 31 | 16 | 22 | 19 | 12 | 32 | 3419 |
9 | Tim Fedewa | 34 | 10 | 18 | 7 | 15 | 14 | 3 | 38 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 39 | 11 | 35 | 15 | 19 | 32 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 25 | 27 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 27 | 33 | 19 | 10 | 3398 |
10 | Hermie Sadler | 17 | 18 | 16 | 25 | 21 | 11 | 11 | 19 | 21 | 7 | 19 | 33 | 12 | 9 | 14 | 27 | 9 | 3 | 19 | 11 | 29 | 20 | 28 | 7 | 10 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 5 | 25 | 3340 |
11 | Mark Green | 8 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 19 | 9 | 34 | 40 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 26 | 12 | 13 | 22 | 19 | 11 | 5 | 41 | 8 | 18 | 3261 |
12 | Kevin Lepage | 22 | 37 | 23 | 21 | 13 | 21 | 20 | 8 | 28 | 8 | 13 | 19 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 26 | 11 | 12 | 32 | 28 | 10 | 20 | 23 | 32 | 34 | 12 | 33 | 17 | 3248 |
13 | Jason Keller | 37 | 39 | 5 | 24 | 32 | 18 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 16 | 11 | 31 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 29 | 2 | 10 | 21 | 29 | 371 | 7 | 13 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 35 | 3242 |
14 | Dick Trickle | 19 | 11 | 32 | 18 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 5 | 15 | 10 | 27 | 11 | 37 | 17 | 30 | 14 | 21 | 27 | 42 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 38 | 39 | 25 | 2 | 41 | 3074 | ||
15 | Mike Dillon | 18 | 31 | 14 | 26 | 10 | 27 | 16 | 13 | 31 | 34 | 15 | 35 | 21 | 14 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 31 | 6 | 19 | 11 | 38 | 30 | 39 | 16 | 4 | 33 | 6 | 23 | 21 | 3008 |
16 | Glenn Allen Jr. | 31 | 9 | 25 | 41 | 9 | 22 | 24 | 37 | 18 | 35 | 33 | 25 | 16 | DNQ | 25 | 21 | 29 | 16 | 7 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 37 | 11 | 24 | 8 | 17 | 7 | 21 | 4 | 2969 |
17 | Tracy Leslie | 5 | 28 | 40 | 37 | 18 | 9 | 26 | 10 | 35 | 25 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 27 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 34 | 19 | 19 | 36 | 7 | 31 | 15 | 37 | 20 | 2880 | |
18 | Joe Bessey | 29 | 23 | 22 | 29 | 37 | 28 | 22 | 27 | 36 | 32 | 28 | 21 | 6 | 36 | 20 | 10 | 26 | 19 | 27 | 9 | 19 | 41 | 17 | 23 | 42 | 1 | 18 | 16 | 22 | 9 | 2835 |
19 | Dennis Setzer | DNQ | 20 | 31 | 23 | 18 | 29 | 23 | 9 | 37 | 11 | 10 | DNQ | 28 | 12 | 27 | 28 | 20 | 10 | 14 | 37 | 18 | 35 | 27 | 18 | 37 | 8 | 27 | 11 | 2541 | ||
20 | Stevie Reeves | 13 | 21 | 36 | 28 | 16 | 30 | 17 | 33 | 13 | 14 | 20 | 26 | 32 | 27 | 21 | DNQ | 16 | 27 | 24 | 42 | 21 | 29 | 7 | 17 | 43 | 20 | 24 | 37 | 26 | DNQ | 2528 |
21 | Jeff Fuller | 26 | 17 | 35 | 12 | 36 | 7 | 12 | 32 | 29 | 31 | 26 | 3 | 31 | 34 | 26 | 30 | 33 | 7 | 22 | 14 | 9 | 41 | 34 | 35 | 43 | 11 | 40 | 14 | 2515 | ||
22 | Matt Kenseth (R) | 11 | 7 | 40 | 34 | 22 | 11 | 6 | 36 | 12 | 17 | 27 | 6 | 8 | 20 | 12 | 22 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 32 | 6 | 2426 | |||||||||
23 | Shane Hall | 38 | 38 | 42 | 38 | 14 | 40 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 10 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 35 | 33 | 38 | 26 | 17 | 19 | DNQ | 36 | 13 | DNQ | 2285 |
24 | Mark Martin | 35 | 1* | 1 | 1* | 4 | 1 | 38 | 1* | 3 | 11* | 6 | 8 | 2* | 1 | 3 | 2104 | |||||||||||||||
25 | Johnny Chapman (R) | 23 | 27 | 21 | 27 | 20 | 39 | 28 | 24 | 15 | 23 | 29 | 30 | 22 | DNQ | 35 | 11 | 31 | 25 | 28 | 22 | 27 | 12 | 36 | 35 | 42 | 2016 | |||||
26 | Jeff Burton | 40 | 6* | 14 | 2 | 3 | 1* | 13 | 2 | 4 | 1* | 3* | 4 | 4* | 1948 | |||||||||||||||||
27 | Bobby Labonte | 41 | 10 | 3 | 12 | 28 | 30 | 1* | 7 | 18 | 20 | 3 | 6 | 4 | QL | 31 | 9 | 30* | 1912 | |||||||||||||
28 | Jeff Green | 14 | 34 | 2 | 11 | 1* | 8 | 4 | 15 | 12 | 2* | 3 | 13 | 4 | 31 | 1898 | ||||||||||||||||
29 | Michael Waltrip | 3 | 15 | 4 | 26 | 4 | 14 | 10 | 23 | 40 | 33 | 28 | 36 | 30 | 4 | 14 | 19 | 1738 | ||||||||||||||
30 | Jimmy Spencer | 39 | 27 | 2 | 21 | 4 | 4 | 40 | 2 | 1* | 11 | 1* | 5 | 1576 | ||||||||||||||||||
31 | Mark Krogh (R) | 40 | 19 | 35 | DNQ | 34 | 37 | 8 | 26 | 32 | DNQ | 23 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 24 | 33 | 24 | DNQ | 33 | DNQ | 39 | 30 | 42 | 1481 | ||||||
32 | Robert Pressley | DNQ | 31 | 38 | 21 | 32 | 37 | 18 | 35 | 3 | 14 | 15 | 27 | 16 | 5 | 10 | 31 | 1465 | ||||||||||||||
33 | Terry Labonte | 43 | 10 | 28 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 26 | 19 | 31 | 42 | 9 | 11 | 18 | 1455 | ||||||||||||||||
34 | Greg Sacks | 6 | 16 | 30 | DNQ | 6 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 33 | 34 | 18 | 15 | 38 | DNQ | 42 | 29 | 33 | 1420 | |||||||||||||
35 | Jeff Krogh (R) | DNQ | 20 | 26 | DNQ | 26 | 27 | 23 | DNQ | 30 | DNQ | 22 | 20 | 31 | DNQ | 9 | 30 | 14 | 27 | DNQ | 40 | DNQ | 24 | DNQ | 29 | 1416 | ||||||
36 | Dale Jarrett | 45 | 2 | 23 | 11 | 23 | DNQ | 20 | 6 | 8 | 40 | 39 | 20 | 7 | 16 | 1364 | ||||||||||||||||
37 | Ron Barfield Jr. | DNQ | 19 | 9 | 20 | 38 | 13 | 25 | 39 | 9 | 23 | 22 | DNQ | 24 | 16 | DNQ | 29 | DNQ | 22 | 1362 | ||||||||||||
38 | Randy Porter | 24 | 33 | 19 | 27 | 39 | 40 | 32 | 14 | DNQ | 29 | DNQ | 33 | 23 | 39 | 23 | 25 | 38 | DNQ | 41 | 35 | 24 | 1320 | |||||||||
39 | Dale Shaw | 30 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 35 | 3 | 24 | 10 | 42 | 31 | 6 | 34 | DNQ | 39 | 1258 | |||||||||||||||
40 | Joe Nemechek | 4 | 5 | 33 | 41 | 1* | 3* | 29* | 8 | 1* | 1162 | |||||||||||||||||||||
41 | Nathan Buttke | DNQ | 20 | 25 | 41 | DNQ | 14 | 36 | 18 | 33 | 16 | DNQ | 11 | 21 | 38 | 38 | 17 | 1135 | ||||||||||||||
42 | Lyndon Amick (R) | 44 | 35 | 38 | 40 | DNQ | 20 | 27 | 32 | 28 | 15 | DNQ | 23 | 29 | DNQ | 17 | 35 | 29 | 36 | DNQ | 1110 | |||||||||||
43 | Ricky Craven | 6 | 15 | Wth | 39 | 16 | 37 | 32 | 22 | 10 | 28 | 41 | 3 | 1063 | ||||||||||||||||||
44 | Jeff Purvis | 9 | 33 | 34 | 36 | 4 | 25 | 24 | 8 | 13 | 38 | 972 | ||||||||||||||||||||
45 | Rodney Combs | 11 | 15 | 31 | 33 | 17 | 32 | DNQ | 20 | 28 | DNQ | 743 | ||||||||||||||||||||
46 | Tim Steele (R) | 5 | 37 | 25 | 21 | 19 | 26 | 6 | 736 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
47 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. (R) | DNQ | 39 | 39 | 38 | 7 | 22 | DNQ | 34 | 16 | 13 | 684 | ||||||||||||||||||||
48 | Ed Berrier | 26 | 25 | 18 | 12 | DNQ | 13 | 41 | 27 | 655 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
49 | Tim Bender (R) | 27 | 26 | 29 | 40 | 34 | 25 | 30 | 17 | 620 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
50 | Rick Wilson | 19 | 36 | 27 | 36 | 18 | 5 | DNQ | 36 | DNQ | 617 | |||||||||||||||||||||
51 | Jimmy Foster (R) | DNQ | 35 | 41 | 30 | 40 | 31 | 41 | 22 | 40 | 16 | 42 | 616 | |||||||||||||||||||
52 | Jeff McClure (R) | DNQ | 30 | DNQ | DNQ | 23 | DNQ | DNQ | 42 | 37 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 24 | DNQ | 36 | DNQ | 39 | 603 | |||||||||||||
53 | Scott Lagasse | 34 | 39 | 31 | 40 | 30 | 25 | 28 | 39 | 36 | 561 | |||||||||||||||||||||
54 | Larry Pearson | 11 | 18 | 24 | 25 | 31 | DNQ | 32 | 555 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
55 | Brad Teague | 22 | 34 | 13 | 20 | 21 | 485 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
56 | Doug Reid III (R) | 28 | 29 | 37 | 34 | 30 | 27 | DNQ | 40 | DNQ | DNQ | 466 | ||||||||||||||||||||
57 | Tony Stewart | 34 | 40 | 3 | 9 | 37 | 459 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
58 | Mike Wallace | 41 | 22 | 35 | 17 | 23 | 37 | 453 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
59 | Stanton Barrett (R) | 43 | 25 | 28 | 39 | DNQ | DNQ | 14 | 31 | 438 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
60 | Kyle Petty | 24 | DNQ | 4 | 38 | 35 | DNQ | 33 | 422 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
61 | Ted Christopher | 17 | 18 | 13 | 35 | 37 | 34 | 392 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
62 | Wayne Grubb | DNQ | DNQ | 36 | 25 | 5 | DNQ | 28 | 377 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
63 | Dale Fischlein | 32 | 32 | 25 | 41 | 36 | 36 | DNQ | 372 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
64 | Danny Edwards Jr. | 30 | 41 | 12 | 30 | 39 | 359 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
65 | Chris Diamond (R) | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 33 | DNQ | 20 | 34 | DNQ | 31 | 36 | DNQ | DNQ | 38 | DNQ | 353 | ||||||||||||||||
66 | Kevin Schwantz | 29 | 31 | 38 | 8 | 337 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
67 | Jason Jarrett | 21 | 17 | 22 | DNQ | DNQ | 309 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
68 | Doug Heveron | 21 | 22 | 24 | DNQ | 288 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
69 | Sterling Marlin | 18 | 17 | 33 | 285 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
70 | Curtis Markham | 42 | 12 | 14 | 285 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
71 | Mark Day | DNQ | 36 | 38 | 31 | DNQ | 38 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 35 | DNQ | 281 | |||||||||||||||||||
72 | Mike Olsen | DNQ | 39 | 31 | DNQ | 29 | 26 | 29 | DNQ | 268 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
73 | Joey McCarthy | 42 | DNQ | DNQ | 37 | 28 | 35 | DNQ | 42 | 263 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
74 | Jerry Robertson | 22 | 29 | 31 | DNQ | 243 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
75 | Ed Spencer III | 36 | 15 | 42 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 210 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
76 | Brad Loney | 29 | 25 | 40 | 207 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
77 | Blaise Alexander | 20 | 24 | DNQ | 194 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
78 | Ted Musgrave | 12 | 36 | 182 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
79 | Kevin Grubb | DNQ | DNQ | 38 | 32 | 36 | DNQ | 21 | 171 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
80 | Andy Hillenburg | 20 | 34 | 164 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
81 | Jim Bown | 36 | 34 | 40 | 159 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
82 | Rick Fuller | 22 | 38 | DNQ | 146 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
83 | Tom Bolles | 9 | 17 | 138 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
84 | David Hutto (R) | 42 | 24 | DNQ | 128 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
85 | Andy Santerre | 15 | 118 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
86 | Jim Sauter | QL | QL | 16 | 115 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
87 | Johnny Rumley | DNQ | 42 | 30 | 110 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
88 | Rob Wilson | 32 | 41 | 107 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
89 | Chad Chaffin | 19 | 106 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
90 | Robbie Faggart | 19 | 106 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
91 | Bobby Dotter | 23 | 94 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
92 | Gary Laton | 23 | DNQ | 94 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
93 | Peter Gibbons | 23 | 94 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
94 | Hank Parker Jr. | 23 | 94 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
95 | John Preston | DNQ | DNQ | 24 | DNQ | DNQ | 91 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
96 | Ron Fellows | 25 | 88 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
97 | Hal Browning | 25 | 88 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
98 | Brad Payne | DNQ | DNQ | 26 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
99 | Kenny Wallace | DNQ | DNQ | 26 | 85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
100 | Brad Leighton | 27 | 82 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101 | Ernie Irvan | 28 | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
102 | Scott Gaylord | 28 | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
103 | Kevin Simmons | 29 | 30 | DNQ | DNQ | 73 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
104 | Russell Brown | 33 | 64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
105 | Joe Nott | 33 | 64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
106 | Joe Pezza | 34 | 61 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
107 | Bill Hoff | 35 | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
108 | Loy Allen Jr. | DNQ | DNQ | 35 | 58 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
109 | Louis Rettenmeier | 37 | 52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
110 | Tim Zock | 37 | 52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
111 | Brandon Butler | 38 | 49 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
112 | Patty Moise | 39 | DNQ | 46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
113 | David Bonnett | 39 | 46 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
114 | Steve Grissom | 39 | 46 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
115 | Morgan Shepherd | 16 | 40 | 32 | DNQ | 43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
116 | Robbie Reiser | 41 | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
117 | Michael Ritch | DNQ | 41 | DNQ | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
118 | Robbie Crouch | 42 | 37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
119 | Shawn Hendricks | 42 | 37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
120 | Perry Tripp | DNQ | 42 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
121 | Stacy Puryear | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
122 | Doug Taylor | 41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
123 | Brian Simo | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
124 | Rusty Wallace | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
125 | Jamie Aube | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
126 | Bryan Wall | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
127 | Mike Stefanik | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
128 | Kenny Irwin Jr. | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
129 | Junior Purcell | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
130 | Joe Bean | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
131 | Jerry Nadeau | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
132 | Eddie Beahr | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
133 | Lou Gigliotti | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
134 | Kat Teasdale | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
135 | Thomas Daw | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
136 | Bobby Hillin Jr. | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
137 | Scot Walters | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
138 | Greg Edwards | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
139 | Eddie Johnson | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
140 | Mark Whitaker | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
141 | Mike Skinner | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
142 | L. W. Miller | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
143 | J. D. Gibbs | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
144 | Martin Truex Sr. | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
145 | Shane Jenkins | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
146 | Jack Sprague | QL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
147 | Ron Hornaday Jr. | QL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pos | Driver | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | LVS | DAR | HCY | TEX | BRI | NSV | TAL | NHA | NAZ | CLT | DOV | SBO | GLN | MIL | MYB | GTY | IRP | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | CLT | CAL | CAR | HOM | Pts |
- ^ Jason Keller made an illegal driver change before the start of the race and thus was not awarded any points or money.
Rookie of the Year
editSteve Park was the only rookie candidate to compete full-time in 1997, picking up three wins and finishing 3rd in points. Matt Kenseth was the top runner-up, despite replacing fellow candidate Tim Bender several races into the season. Johnny Chapman began the year with NorthStar Motorsports, but was released with several races to go in the season. Brothers Jeff and Mark Krogh came in from the Northwest driving for their family-owned team, each posting one top-ten apiece. Lyndon Amick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were the only other rookie contenders in 1997.