1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
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Champions \| Seasons

The 1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was the third season of the Craftsman Truck Series, the third highest stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. Jack Sprague of Hendrick Motorsports won the title.

Teams & drivers[]

List of full-time teams at the start of 1997.

Team	Truck(s)	#	Driver(s)	Listed owner(s)	Crew chief
AAG Racing	Chevrolet C/K	65	Kenny Allen
	Chevrolet C/K	12	Doug George
Brevak Racing	Ford F-150	31	Tony Roper (R)		Bob Brevak
	Chevrolet C/K	35	Dave Rezendes		Tony Gibson
	Chevrolet C/K	6	Rick Carelli
Circle Bar Racing	Ford F-150	14	Rick Crawford (R)		Roland Wlodyka
	Chevrolet C/K	23	T. J. Clark
	Ford F-150	57
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.	Chevrolet C/K	16	Ron Hornaday Jr.	Dale Earnhardt
Darrell Waltrip Motorsports	Chevrolet C/K	17	Rich Bickle	Darrell Waltrip
Geoff Bodine Racing	Ford F-150	7	Tammy Jo Kirk (R)	Geoff Bodine	Ernie Cope
Hendrick Motorsports	Chevrolet C/K	24	Jack Sprague	Rick Hendrick
Impact Motorsports	Ford F-150	86	Stacy Compton (R)
	Ford F-150	44	Boris Said (R)	Mark Simo
K Automotive Racing	Dodge Ram	29	Bob Keselowski	Ron Keselowski	Ron Keselowski
Ken Schrader Racing	Chevrolet C/K	52	Tobey Butler	Ken Schrader
	Dodge Ram	90	Lance Norick	Ron Norick
Liberty Racing	Ford F-150	98	Kenny Irwin Jr. (R)
Petty Enterprises	Dodge Ram	43	Jimmy Hensley		Richard Petty
	Ford F-150	66	Bryan Reffner
	Ford F-150	27	Rob Rizzo (R)	Rob Rizzo
Richard Childress Racing	Chevrolet C/K	3	Jay Sauter	Richard Childress	Todd Berrier
Roehrig Motorsports	Dodge Ram	18	Michael Dokken	Kurt Roehrig
Roehrig Motorsports	Dodge Ram	19	Tony Raines (R)
Roush Racing	Ford F-150	80	Joe Ruttman	Jack Roush
Roush Racing	Ford F-150	99	Chuck Bown	Jack Roush
Spears Motorsports	Chevrolet C/K	75
ThorSport Racing	Chevrolet C/K	88	Terry Cook (R)
Ultra Motorsports	Ford F-150	2	Mike Bliss	Marlene Smith
Walker Evans Racing	Chevrolet C/K	20	Butch Miller
Xpress Motorsports	Chevrolet C/K	61	Randy Tolsma (R)	Steve Coulter

Races[]

Chevy Trucks Challenge[]

The inaugural Chevy Trucks Challenge was held January 19 at Walt Disney World Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 01-, 04-, 08-, 9-, 19-Tony Raines, 22-, 23-T. J. Clark, 25-Andy Genzman, 26-Andy Belmont, 27-Rob Rizzo, 39-Jeff Spraker, 41-Randy Renfrow, 45-, 51-, 52-Tobey Butler, 54-, 56-Darin Brassfield, 59-, 61-Randy Tolsma, 64-, 69-, 73-Bob Schacht, 88-Terry Cook, 92-Mark Kinser

Tobey Butler replaced Bob Brevak in the #34 truck in the race.

NAPA 200[]

The NAPA 200 was held March 1 at Tucson Raceway Park. The #18 of Michael Dokken won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 07-Tammy Jo Kirk, 09-, 9-, 11-, 15-Mike Cope, 23-T. J. Clark, 25-Andy Genzman, 26-Andy Belmont, 31-Tony Roper, 32-Curtis Markham, 45-, 52-Tobey Butler, 53-Scott Hansen, 54-, 55-Lance Hooper, 56-Darin Brassfield, 63-, 65-Kenny Allen, 73-Scott Grissom, 88-Terry Cook, 90-Lance Norick

Tony Roper replaced Bob Brevak in the #34 truck in the race.

Florida Dodge Dealers 400[]

The Florida Dodge Dealers 400 was held March 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Joe Ruttman won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 00-Frank Kimmel, 10-, 23-T. J. Clark, 34-Bob Brevak, 45-, 51-Terry McCarthy, 54-, 55-Jim Bown, 61-Randy Tolsma, 62-Blaise Alexander, 68-Bobby Dotter, 68-, 73-Bob Schacht, 81-Jerry Glanville, 88-Terry Cook

Tragedy struck during the closing laps of this race when John Nemechek struck the wall in turn 2 on lap 144, suffering massive head injuries. He died five days later.

Chevy Desert Star Classic[]

The Chevy Desert Star Classic was held April 20 at Phoenix International Raceway. Jack Sprague won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 13-, 19-Tony Raines, 25-Andy Genzman, 26-Andy Belmont, 27-Rob Rizzo, 38-, 54-, 55-Jim Bown, 61-Randy Tolsma, 92-Mark Kinser, 04-Tommy Spangler

Craftsman 200[]

The Craftsman 200 was held May 3 at Portland Speedway. Rich Bickle won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 10-, 23-T. J. Clark, 25-Andy Genzman, 56-Brandon Butler, 57-

NAPACARD 200[]

The NAPACARD 200 was held May 10 at Evergreen Speedway. Rich Bickle won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 01-, 4-Bill Sedgwick, 57-, 77-Lonnie Rush Jr., 87-Jim Bown, 92-Mark Kinser

Western Auto/Parts America 200[]

The Western Auto/Parts America 200 was held May 24 at I-70 Speedway. Rich Bickle won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 27-Rob Rizzo, 37-Scot Walters, 46-, 61-Randy Tolsma, 90-Lance Norick, 92-Mark Kinser

This was Raines' first career Craftsman Truck Series win.

Pennzoil Discount Center 200[]

The Pennzoil Discount Center 200 was held May 31 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 39-Jeff Spraker, 47-

Pronto Auto Parts 400K[]

The inaugural Pronto Auto Parts 400K was held June 6 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: none

Loadhandler 200[]

The Loadhandler 200 was held June 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ron Hornaday Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 0-, 01-, 11-Eddie Johnson, 22-, 25-Andy Genzman, 57-, 70-Joe Buford

NAPA 200[]

The was held June 29 at Nazareth Speedway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: none

Sears DieHard 200[]

The Sears DieHard 200 was held July 5 at The Milwaukee Mile. Jack Sprague won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 4-Bill Sedgwick, 25-Andy Genzman, 63-, 73-Bob Schacht

Link-Belt Construction Equipment 225[]

The Link-Belt Construction Equipment 225 was held July 12 at Louisville Motor Speedway. Jimmy Hensley won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 06-Billy Pauch, 11-Eddie Johnson, 22-, 39-Jeff Spraker, 41-Bill Sedgwick, 91-

Ron Hornaday Jr. led every lap en route to the win.

Colorado 250 by Snap-On Tools[]

The Colorado 250 by Snap-On Tools was held July 19 at Colorado National Speedway. Ron Hornaday Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: none

Lund Look 275K[]

The Lund Look 275K was held July 27 at Heartland Park Topeka*. Joe Ruttman won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 5-, 45-, 54-, 82-

This was the first Craftsman Truck Series race at Heartland Park Topeka held on the 2.1 mile configuration. The previous two races were on the shorter 1.8 mile layout.

Cummins 200[]

The Cummins 200 was held July 31 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Jimmy Hensley won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 9-, 26-Jerry Robertson, 39-Jeff Spraker, 47-, 58-, 71-Gary St. Amant, 73-Bob Schacht, 77-Eliseo Salazar

Jimmy Hensley led the first 200 laps but lost the lead with 2 to go in the green-white-checker.

Stevens Beil/Genuine Parts 200[]

The Stevens Beil/Genuine Parts 200 was held August 9 at Flemington Speedway. Terry Cook won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 02-Eric Norris, 06-Billy Pauch, 11-Eddie Johnson, 12-Andy Genzman, 47-

Federated Auto Parts 300[]

The Federated Auto Parts 300 was held August 16 at Nashville Speedway USA. Mike Bliss won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 00-Frank Kimmel, 02-Eric Norris, 4-Bill Sedgwick, 13-, 57-, 62-Blaise Alexander, 77-Doug George

Parts America 150[]

The Parts America 150 was held August 24 at Watkins Glen International. Ron Fellows won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 12-Andy Genzman, 26-Doug George, 28-, 54-, 72-Tammy Jo Kirk, 88-Terry Cook, 90-Lance Norick

Virginia Is For Lovers 200[]

The Virginia Is For Lovers 200 was held September 4 at Richmond International Raceway. The #16 of Ron Hornaday Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 02-Eric Norris, 05-, 12-, 22-Tom Baldwin, 27-Rob Rizzo, 39-Jeff Spraker, 42-, 55-Kevin Grubb, 65-Andy Houston, 70-Joe Buford, 75-Kevin Harvick, 81-Philip Morris, 87-Robert Huffman, 88-Terry Cook, 92-Doug George, 93-

This was Bob Keselowski's one and only career victory in the Craftsman Truck Series.

This was Dodge's first win in the Truck Series.

Hanes 250[]

The Hanes 250 was held September 27 at Martinsville Speedway. Rich Bickle won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 03-Kirk Shelmerdine, 11-, 22-Tom Baldwin, 25-Andy Genzman, 26-Jerry Robertson, 39-Jeff Spraker, 40-Bill Sedgwick, 41-Randy Renfrow, 42-, 45-, 55-Kevin Grubb, 62-Blaise Alexander, 72-Tammy Jo Kirk, 75-, 83-, 88-Terry Cook, 90-Lance Norick

Kragen/Exide 151[]

The Kragen/Exide 151 was held October 5 at Sears Point Raceway. The #55 of Dave Rezendes won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 4-Bill Sedgwick, 40-, 83-, 85-

An incident between Boris Said and Rich Bickle with five laps to go (and subsequent retaliation) caused NASCAR to fine Said $5,000 and put him on probation for the rest of the year. Bickle was also put on probation.

Dave Rezendes was leading the event when he crashed on his own in the Esses with three laps to go.

Dodge California Truckstop 300[]

The Dodge California Truckstop 300 was held October 12 at Mesa Marin Raceway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: none

This was Randy Tolsma's first career Craftsman Truck Series victory.

The No Fear Challenge[]

The Inaugural No Fear Challenge was held October 18 at California Speedway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 9-Ron Esau, 46-, 63-Ricky Johnson, 82-

GM Goodwrench Delco 300[]

The GM Goodwrench Delco 300 was held November 1 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 06-Billy Pauch, 27-Kenny Hendrick, 40-Eddie Sharp, 77-Rob Morgan, 82-, 84-, 85-, 90-Lance Norick

Carquest Auto Parts 420K[]

The Carquest Auto Parts 420K was held November 9 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole.

Top ten results

Failed to qualify: 01-, 02-, 4-, 11-Brett Bodine, 12-, 15-Rob Morgan, 18-Kevin Cywinski, 22-Kenny Hendrick, 23-T. J. Clark, 26-, 27-Tammy Jo Kirk, 36-Jerry Robertson, 40-Eddie Sharp, 46-, 58-Wayne Jacks, 60-Tobey Butler, 65-Andy Houston, 69-, 82-, 84-, 85-, 88-Terry Cook

Final points standings[]

Pos.	Driver	Races																										Points
Pos.	Driver	WDW	TUS	HOM	PHX	POR	EVG		NHA	TEX	BRI	NZH	MLW	LVL	CNS	HPT	IRP	FLM	NSV	GLN	RCH	MAR	SON	MMR	FON	PHX	LVS	Points
1	Jack Sprague	15*	7	5*	1*	4	2	10	2*	31	7	1*	4*	8	16	2	2	4	1	3*	2	10	5	10	6	3	2	3969
2	Rich Bickle	3	2	11	5	1*	1*	4	20	21	2	4	3	5	5	23	10	3	6	16	4	1*	12	5	26	18	16	3737
3	Joe Ruttman	1	28	26	2	13	4	6	9	9	5	2	9	2	12	1	4	2	19	4	12	12	1	19	29	1	1	3736
4	Mike Bliss	25	5	2	3	6	7	8	17	5*	30	3	23	13	2	17	19	10	9	2	7	3	22	3	1*	10	5*	3611
5	Ron Hornaday Jr.	30	1	6	4	2	9	22	29	27	1*	24	1	1*	1*	3*	1	1*	2*	5	16	32	26	28*	9	9	3	3574
6	Jay Sauter	4	3	19	11	10	30	31	1	11	3	9	2	31	4	16	31	6	13	12	3	7	3	4	25	7	4	3467
7	Rick Carelli	5	30	8	10	28	19	7	3	22	4	6	5	19	7	9	8	5	10	10	11	15	7	12	15	5	6	3461
8	Jimmy Hensley	6	8	13	14	11	25	2	23	12	8	25	8	3	8	7	3*	13	15	6	13	4	6	9	34	19	15	3385
9	Chuck Bown	12	9	3	8	27	14	3	10	4	9	7	10	22	26	20	12	12	7	34	8	16	14	14	16	2	9	3320
10	Kenny Irwin Jr. (R)	7	14	1	17	15	5	14	5	1	26	27	15	18	14	18	7	25	21	28	5	8	31	16	3	4	25	3220
11	Butch Miller	2	4	9	30	3	10	5	14	15	20	23	14	29	10	29	17	8	3	26	10	6	15	17	18	8	28	3186
12	Rick Crawford (R)	11	12	18	21	8	23	15	6	3	6	18	34	16	6	8	13	15	8	14	34	24	25	6	10	13	10	3149
13	Stacy Compton (R)	10	16	34	33	12	8	30	15	16	25	14	21	6	3	13	26	14	5	25	18	9	10	2	17	14	12	3057
14	Bob Keselowski	34	22	28	6	5	6	27	12	6	31	36	20	24	21	12	16	11	23	15	1*	28	13	21	8	17	13	2915
15	Tony Raines (R)	DNQ	15	30	DNQ	7	18	1*	34	32	22	10	7	4	9	10	27	16	11	33	22	23	24	11	13	36	11	2773
16	Boris Said (R)	26	18	32	24	26	27	12	4	2	18	20	11	9	22	22	14	20	27	11	17	26	20	23	33	20	37	2657
17	Dave Rezendes	14	10	7	7	17	13	13	7	7	11	31	30	25	11	27	9	17	4	30			21*	30		15	32	2613
18	Tony Roper (R)	32	29	12	36	23	15	9	19	20	17	33	17	20	13	25	33	9	17	24	27	21	17	13	14	24	27	2604
19	Bryan Reffner	21	31	31	34	21	24	20	8	30	10	11	13	23	15	19	15	21	29	19	15	29	32	32	32	30	38	2433
20	Tammy Jo Kirk (R)	24	DNQ	23	12	14	16	25	13	13	19	16	16	14	17	11	34	19	14	DNQ	30	DNQ			35		DNQ	2174
21	Doug George	18	25	17	20	19	17	11	26	29	36	17	19	26	29			24	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ		8	34	36	21	21	2057
22	Randy Tolsma (R)	DNQ	19	DNQ	DNQ		26	DNQ		8			31			15	6		32	32	9	14	18	1	5	33	30	1802
23	Mike Wallace												6	10	18	14	28	7	34	22	19	22	29	7	2	6	7	1788
24	Terry Cook (R)	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	19			23	25	33	27	15	27	15	19	24	24	18	33	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ			23	28	DNQ	1651
25	Lance Norick	33	DNQ	10	15	20	31	DNQ	21	17	28	35	33			34				DNQ		DNQ	19	25	21	DNQ	14	1620
26	Kevin Harvick (R)		21											11	20	30	23	23	16	23	DNQ		33	8	20	34	8	1355
27	Tobey Butler	20	DNQ	20	18	9	11	29	27	18	35	34							12		35					12	DNQ	1355
28	Michael Dokken	35	13*	35	28	29	3	26	31	24	23	5	32	17				22										1331
29	Rob Rizzo (R)	DNQ	6	16	DNQ	25		DNQ	39		16	30					30		30	31	DNQ		23	18	28	DNQ		1306
30	(R)			29	22	DNQ	DNQ		40		DNQ	19		21		28	25	28	DNQ	29			28		24	22	40	1265
31		28	32	14	27	18	21	28	30	26	21	12	25	28														1189
32	Lonnie Rush Jr. (R)	13	17	38	25	31	DNQ	19	28		24	32	18													29	35	1087
33	Bill Sedgwick					24	DNQ	18					DNQ	DNQ	24	32	22		DNQ			DNQ	DNQ	33	27			928
34	Kenny Allen	17	DNQ	15	23	30	20	21	22	28	38				28													911
35	Kelly Denton (R)	23	27	24	16						12										31	18		29				764
36	Barry Bodine			27															20		25	17			12	16	34	688
37	Bobby Dotter	16	23	DNQ	31				16				24					27								23		677
38	Curtis Markham	9	DNQ	33	13			16			34																20	651
39	Ron Barfield	8					12				29														19	27	29	618
40	Mike Cope (R)		DNQ	22				32	18			26	28	12														613
41	Ron Fellows										25					33				1			11	22				559
42	Eric Norris								37				22					DNQ	22	13	DNQ				31			553
43	Tom Hubert														23	31			28				2			11		543
44	(R)	22	11	DNQ	9	DNQ																						451
45	Andy Houston																18		24		DNQ	11				32	DNQ	441
46	Billy Pauch											21		DNQ				DNQ			20	25				DNQ		441
47	Mike Skinner			4											5	32											36	437
48	Ricky Johnson																			8			4		DNQ		17	414
49	Wayne Grubb								36					27							23	27			22			410
50	Brad Teague										13								25		24	19						409
51	Brandon Butler (R)				29	DNQ	29	17	35																			386
52	Ernie Irvan																				36	2			4			385
53	Blaise Alexander			DNQ							14								DNQ	9		DNQ						373
54	Randy MacDonald	19		25					33			29																371
55	T. J. Clark	DNQ	DNQ	DNQ	26	DNQ	28																				DNQ	367
56	Scot Walters							DNQ						7					26		29							362
57	Kenny Hendrick (R)	29	24						32	19																	DNQ	353
58						32	22																27			31	DNQ	350
59	Rob Morgan															21				18			30			DNQ	DNQ	326
60	Jeff Spraker	DNQ							DNQ		37			DNQ			DNQ			20	DNQ	DNQ						320

Rookie of the Year[]

Former sprint car driver Kenny Irwin Jr., driving the #98 for Liberty Racing, took home Rookie of the Year honors in 1997, winning two of the first nine races of the season, and finishing tenth in points. Runner-up was Rick Crawford, who had made his debut in a major NASCAR series that season and posted ten top-tens, while Stacy Compton finished 92 points behind him in the new Impact Motorsports ride. Tony Raines finished 15th in points and picked up a win as well, while Tony Roper had two top-tens, and Tammy Jo Kirk became the first female to make a start in the series. The rest of the candidates only made part-time bids at the award, the most notable being Randy Tolsma, who scored the lone victory of this group at Mesa Marin Raceway

External links[]

Craftsman Truck Series 1997 Standings and Statistics

1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Contents

Teams & drivers[]

Races[]

Chevy Trucks Challenge[]

NAPA 200[]

Florida Dodge Dealers 400[]

Chevy Desert Star Classic[]

Craftsman 200[]

NAPACARD 200[]

Western Auto/Parts America 200[]

Pennzoil Discount Center 200[]

Pronto Auto Parts 400K[]

Loadhandler 200[]

NAPA 200[]

Sears DieHard 200[]

Link-Belt Construction Equipment 225[]

Colorado 250 by Snap-On Tools[]

Lund Look 275K[]

Cummins 200[]

Stevens Beil/Genuine Parts 200[]

Federated Auto Parts 300[]

Parts America 150[]

Virginia Is For Lovers 200[]

Hanes 250[]

Kragen/Exide 151[]

Dodge California Truckstop 300[]

The No Fear Challenge[]

GM Goodwrench Delco 300[]

Carquest Auto Parts 420K[]

Final points standings[]

Rookie of the Year[]

See also[]

External links[]