1997 NASCAR Busch Series

American motorsport season March 2026 October 2020 NASCAR Busch Series 1997 1996 1998 1996 NASCAR Busch Series 1998 NASCAR Busch Series Champions | Seasons thumb|Randy LaJoie, the 1997 Busch Series champion The 1997 NASCAR Busch Series began February 15 and ended November 9. Randy LaJoie of BACE Motorsports won the championship. Teams and drivers Complete schedule List of full-time teams at the start of 1997. TeamCar(s)No. Car numberDriver(s)Listed owner(s) Akins-Sutton Motorsports Ford Thunderbird38 Elton Sawyer Bob Sutton BACE Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo33 Tim Fedewa Barbara Baumgardner74 Randy LaJoie Bill Baumgardner Bill Elliott Racing Ford Thunderbird94 Ron Barfield Bill Elliott Brewco Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo37 Mark Green Clarence Brewer Buckshot Racing Pontiac Grand Prix00 Buckshot Jones Billy Jones Crestinger Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo20 Jimmy Spencer Allen CrestingerDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet Monte Carlo3 Steve Park (R)Dale Earnhardt31 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 8 7, 10, 17, 20, 22, 27, 29-30 Diamond Ridge Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo1 Hermie Sadler Gary Bechtel8 Jeff Green29 Elliott Sadler Donald Laird Racing Ford Thunderbird96 Stevie Reeves Donald Laird Ridling Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo43 Dennis Setzer David Ridling88 Kevin Lepage Hensley Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo63 Tracy Leslie Hubert Hensley DAJ Racing Ford Thunderbird32 Dale Jarrett Horace Isenhower J&J Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo99 Glenn Allen Jr. Bill Papke Joe Bessey Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo6 Joe Bessey Nancy Bessey KEL Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo57 Jason Keller Joe Keller Key Motorsports Ford Thunderbird11 Jimmy Foster (R) Curtis KeyLabonte MotorsportsPontiac Grand Prix Chevrolet Monte Carlo 44 Bobby Labonte 15 2-5, 8, 14-15, 17-18, 20, 22-24, 26, 28Bobby LabonteTerry Labonte Tony Stewart 5 21, 25, 27, 29-305 Andy Hillenburg 1 1 Terry Labonte 14 3-5, 7, 14-15, 17, 20, 22-24, 26-28 Brad Leighton 1 12 Steve Grissom 1 25 Jeff Fuller 1 30 Laughin Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo45 Greg Sacks Mike Laughlin Michael Waltrip Racing Ford Thunderbird21 Michael Waltrip Buffy Waltrip NorthStar Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo89 Johnny Chapman (R) Meredith Ruark Parker Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo72 Mike Dillon Ron Parker Phil Parsons Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo10 Phil Parsons Marcia Parsons Phoenix Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo4 Dale Shaw James Finch Porter Racing Ford Thunderbird48 Randy Porter James Porter PRW Racing Ford Thunderbird77 Jeff McClure (R) John Walsh Reiser Enterprises Chevrolet Monte Carlo17 Tim Bender 8 1-8 Robbie Reiser Robbie Reiser 1 9 Matt Kenseth (R) 20 10-30 Roush Racing Ford Thunderbird9 Jeff Burton Jack Roush60 Mark Martin Shoemaker Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo64 Dick Trickle Dennis Shoemaker ST Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo47 Jeff Fuller Tad Geschickter Stegall Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo85 Shane Hall Don Stegall Taylor Motorsports Ford Thunderbird40Jerry Robertson Doug Taylor Team 34 Chevrolet Monte Carlo34 Mike McLaughlin Frank Cicci Pontiac Grand Prix36 Todd Bodine Scott WelliverWellrich MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo7 Mike Wallace 6 1, 4-5, 9, 11, 14Ed Whitaker Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2 23, 28 Part-time schedule No. Car number Driver Make Team 1996 result2 Ricky Craven Chevrolet Ricky Craven Racing 29th22 Scott Lagasse Chevrolet Super Sports Racing new team24 David Hutto Chevrolet Hutto Racing 104th49 Kyle Petty Chevrolet Shaver Racing 72nd51 Jim Bown Chevrolet Bown Racing 33rd68 Jamie Aube Chevrolet Wegner Motorsports none70 Dale Fischlein Chevrolet Mike Stegall Racing 61st81 Stanton Barrett Chevrolet Pro Tech Motorsports 3rd87 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet NEMCO Motorsports 34th91 Doug Reid III (R) Chevrolet Barney Walker Motorsports, Inc. new team Schedule No. Race title Track Date1Gargoyles 300Daytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachFebruary 152GM Goodwrench Service 200North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamFebruary 223Hardee's Fried Chicken 250Richmond International Raceway, RichmondMarch 14Stihl Outdoor Power Tools 300Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonMarch 85Las Vegas 300Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las VegasMarch 166Diamond Hill Plywood 200Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonMarch 227Galaxy Foods 300Hickory Motor Speedway, HickoryMarch 298Coca-Cola 300Texas Motor Speedway, Fort WorthApril 59Moore's Snacks 250Bristol Motor Speedway, BristolApril 1210BellSouth Mobility/Opryland 320Nashville Speedway USA, NashvilleApril 1911Birmingham Auto Dealers Easycare 500kTalladega Superspeedway, TalladegaApril 2612United States Cellular 200New Hampshire International Speedway, LoudonMay 1013CoreStates Advantage 200Nazareth Speedway, NazarethMay 1814Carquest Auto Parts 300Charlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordMay 2415GM Goodwrench/Delco Battery 200Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverMay 3116Winston Motorsports 300South Boston Speedway, South BostonJune 1317Lysol 200Watkins Glen International, Watkins GlenJune 2918Sears Auto Center 250The Milwaukee Mile, West AllisJuly 619Advance Auto Parts 250Myrtle Beach Speedway, Myrtle BeachJuly 1220Gateway 300Gateway International Raceway, MadisonJuly 2621Kroger NASCAR 200 Presented by ZiplocIndianapolis Raceway Park, BrownsburgAugust 122Detroit Gasket 200Michigan Speedway, BrooklynAugust 1623Food City 250Bristol Motor Speedway, BristolAugust 2224Dura Lube 200 Presented by Trak AutomotiveDarlington Raceway, DarlingtonAugust 3025Autolite Platinum 250Richmond International Raceway, RichmondSeptember 526MBNA 200Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverSeptember 2027All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300Charlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordOctober 428Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300California Speedway, FontanaOctober 1929AC Delco 200North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamOctober 2530Jiffy Lube Miami 300Homestead Motorsports Complex, HomesteadNovember 9 Races Gargoyles 300 The Gargoyles 300 was held on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-lajoie-wins-gargoyles/192972712/ LaJoie wins Gargoyles; Sadler content Sandra McKee The Baltimore Sun February 16, 1997 17C Newspapers.com 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 The 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 List of NASCAR points scoring systems (key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led. Pos Position 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 Points Scored 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 1 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 Position 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 Points Scored 1 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 Steve 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. See also 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series 1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 1997 NASCAR Winston West Series 1997 NASCAR Goody's Dash Series References External links Busch Series standings and statistics for 1997 * Category:NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series seasons