NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 1997 season

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The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series logo.

The NASCAR - Craftsman Truck Series season review 1997 began on 19 January 1997 with the Ford Chevy Trucks Challenge at the Walt Disney World Speedway and ended on November 9, 1997 with the Carquest Auto Parts 420K on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway . Jack Sprague won the drivers championship and Ron Hornaday junior was voted Most Popular Driver . Kenny Irwin Jr. won the Rookie of the Year award .

run

Brief overview

date Racetrack run Pole position winner
January 19th Walt Disney World Speedway Chevy Trucks Challenge Jack Sprague Joe Ruttman
1st March Tucson Raceway Park NAPA 200 Michael Dokken Ron Hornaday junior
March 16 Miami-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex Florida Dodge Dealers 400K Joe Ruttman Kenny Irwin Jr.
20th of April Phoenix International Raceway Desert Star Classic Jack Sprague Jack Sprague
May 3rd Portland Speedway Craftsman 200 Rich Bickle Rich Bickle
10th of May Evergreen Speedway NAPACARD 200 Rich Bickle Rich Bickle
May 24th I-70 Speedway Western Auto / Parts America 200 Rich Bickle Tony Raines
31. May New Hampshire International Speedway Pennzoil Discount Center 200 Jack Sprague Jay Sauter
6th of June Texas Motor Speedway Pronto Auto Parts 400K Mike Bliss Kenny Irwin Jr.
June 21st Bristol Motor Speedway Load handler 200 Ron Hornaday junior Ron Hornaday junior
June 29th Nazareth Speedway NAPA Autocare 200 Mike Bliss Jack Sprague
5th July Milwaukee Mile Sears DieHard 200 Jack Sprague Ron Hornaday junior
July 12 Louisville Motor Speedway Link-Belt Construction Equipment 225 Jimmy Hensley Ron Hornaday junior
July 19 Colorado National Speedway Colorado 250 By Snap-On Tools Ron Hornaday junior Ron Hornaday junior
July 27th Heartland Park Topeka Lund look 275K Joe Ruttman Joe Ruttman
July 31 Indianapolis Raceway Park Cummins 200 Jimmy Hensley Ron Hornaday junior
August 9 Flemington Speedway Stevens Beil / Genuine Parts 200 Terry Cook Ron Hornaday junior
August 16 Nashville Speedway USA Federated Auto Parts 250 Mike Bliss Jack Sprague
August 24th Parts America 150 Watkins Glen International Raceway Ron Fellows Ron Fellows
September 4th Richmond International Raceway Virginia Is For Lovers 200 Ron Hornaday junior Bob Keselowski
September 27th Martinsville Speedway Hanes 250 Rich Bickle Rich Bickle
5th October Sears Point Raceway Collar / Exide 151 Dave Rezendes Joe Ruttman
October 12th Mesa Marin Raceway Dodge California Truckstop 300 Mike Bliss Randy Tolsma
October 18 California Speedway The No Fear Challenge Mike Bliss Mike Bliss
November 1st Phoenix International Raceway GM Goodwrench / Delco 300 Mike Bliss Joe Ruttman
November 3rd Las Vegas Motor Speedway Carquest Auto Parts 420K Jack Sprague Joe Ruttman

Chevy Trucks Challenge

The season opening race, the Chevy Trucks Challenge , took place on January 19, 1997 at Walt Disney World Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Joe Ruttman
  2. Butch Miller
  3. Rich Bickle
  4. Jay Sauter
  5. Rick Carelli
  6. Jimmy Hensley
  7. Kenny Irwin Jr.
  8. Ron Barfield
  9. Curtis Markham
  10. Stacy Compton

Drivers who couldn't qualify: Terry Cook (# 88), Rob Rizzo (# 27), Tony Raines (# 19), Bob Schacht (# 73), Greg Marlowe (# 9), Randy Renfrow (# 41), Chad Dokken (# 64), TJ Clark (# 23), Perry Tripp (# 51), Randy Tolsma (# 61), Jon Leavy (# 54), Mark Kinser (# 92), Bob Brevak (# 34), Andy Genzman (# 25), Darin Brassfield (# 56), Andy Belmont (# 26), Jeff Spraker (# 39), David Smith (# 57), Billy Ogle (# 01), Thomas Spangler (# 54), Shane Doles (# 59), Jimmy Davis (# 69), Felix Giles (# 08)

NAPA 200

The second race of the season, the NAPA 200 , took place on March 1, 1997 at Tucson Raceway Park .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Ron Hornaday junior
  2. Rich Bickle
  3. Jay Sauter
  4. Butch Miller
  5. Mike Bliss
  6. Rob Rizzo
  7. Jack Sprague
  8. Jimmy Hensley
  9. Chuck Bown
  10. Dave Rezendes

Florida Dodge Dealers 400K

The third race of the season, the Florida Dodge Dealers 400K , took place on March 16, 1997 at the Miami-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex . On lap 144, John Nemechek had a serious accident. He died of his injuries five days after the race.

Top 10 placements:

  1. Kenny Irwin Jr.
  2. Mike Bliss
  3. Chuck Bown
  4. Mike Skinner
  5. Jack Sprague
  6. Ron Hornaday junior
  7. Dave Rezendes
  8. Rick Carelli
  9. Butch Miller
  10. Lance Norick

Drivers who did not qualify: Frank Kimmel (# 00), Jim Bown (# 55), Terry Cook (# 88), TJ Clark (# 23), Toby Porter (# 10), Bob Schacht (# 73), Blaise Alexander (# 62), Randy Tolsma (# 61), Jon Leavy (# 54), Bobby Dotter (# 68), Bob Brevak (# 31), Ronnie Newman (# 68), Jerry Glanville (# 81), Michael Cohen (# 45)

Desert Start Classic

The fourth race of the season, the Desert Star Classic , took place on April 20, 1997 at the Phoenix International Raceway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Jack Sprague
  2. Joe Ruttman
  3. Mike Bliss
  4. Ron Hornaday junior
  5. Rich Bickle
  6. Bob Keselowski
  7. Dave Rezendes
  8. Chuck Bown
  9. Toby Porter
  10. Rick Carelli

Craftsman 200

The fifth race of the season, the Craftsman 200 , took place on May 3, 1997 at Portland International Raceway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Rich Bickle
  2. Ron Hornaday junior
  3. Butch Miller
  4. Jack Sprague
  5. Bob Keselowski
  6. Mike Bliss
  7. Tony Raines
  8. Rick Crawford
  9. Tobey Butler
  10. Jay Sauter

NAPACARD 200

The sixth race of the season, the NAPACARD 200 , took place on May 10, 1997 on Evergreen Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Rich Bickle
  2. Jack Sprague
  3. Michael Dokken
  4. Joe Ruttman
  5. Kenny Irwin Jr.
  6. Bob Keselowski
  7. Mike Bliss
  8. Stacy Compton
  9. Ron Hornaday junior
  10. Butch Miller

Western Auto / Parts America 200

The seventh race of the season, the Western Auto / Parts America 200 , took place on May 24, 1997 at I-70 Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Tony Raines
  2. Jimmy Hensley
  3. Chuck Bown
  4. Rich Bickle
  5. Butch Miller
  6. Joe Ruttman
  7. Rick Carelli
  8. Mike Bliss
  9. Tony Roper
  10. Jack Sprague

Pennzoil Discount Center 200

The eighth race of the season, the Pennzoil Discount Center 200 , took place on May 24, 1997 at New Hampshire International Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Jay Sauter
  2. Jack Sprague
  3. Rick Carelli
  4. Boris Said
  5. Kenny Irwin Jr.
  6. Rick Crawford
  7. Dave Rezendes
  8. Bryan Reffner
  9. Joe Ruttman
  10. Chuck Bown

Pronto Auto Parts 400K

The ninth race of the season, the Pronto Auto Parts 400K , took place on June 6, 1997 at Texas Motor Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Kenny Irwin Jr.
  2. Boris Said
  3. Rick Crawford
  4. Chuck Bown
  5. Mike Bliss
  6. Bob Keselowski
  7. Dave Rezendes
  8. Randy Tolsma
  9. Joe Ruttman
  10. Ken Bouchard

Load handler 200

The tenth race of the season, the Loadhandler 200 , took place on June 21, 1997 at Bristol Motor Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Ron Hornaday junior
  2. Rich Bickle
  3. Jay Sauter
  4. Rick Carelli
  5. Joe Ruttman
  6. Rick Crawford
  7. Jack Sprague
  8. Jimmy Hensley
  9. Bryan Reffner

NAPA Autocare 200

The eleventh race of the season, the NAPA Autocare 200 , took place on June 29, 1997 at Nazareth Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Jack Sprague
  2. Joe Ruttman
  3. Mike Bliss
  4. Rich Bickle
  5. Michael Dokken
  6. Rick Carelli
  7. Chuck Bown
  8. David Green
  9. Jay Sauter
  10. Tony Raines

Sears DieHard 200

The twelfth race of the season, the Sears DieHard 200 , took place on July 5, 1997 on the Milwaukee Mile .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Ron Hornaday junior
  2. Jay Sauter
  3. Rich Bickle
  4. Jack Sprague
  5. Rick Carelli
  6. Mike Wallace
  7. Tony Raines
  8. Jimmy Hensley
  9. Joe Ruttman
  10. Chuck Bown

Link-Belt Construction Equipment 225

The 13th race of the season, the Link-Belt Construction Equipment 225 , took place on July 12, 1997 at Louisville Motor Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Ron Hornaday junior
  2. Joe Ruttman
  3. Jimmy Hensley
  4. Tony Raines
  5. Rich Bickle
  6. Stacy Compton
  7. Scot Walters
  8. Jack Sprague
  9. Boris Said
  10. Mike Wallace

Colorado 250 By Snap-On Tools

The 14th race of the season, the Colorado 250 By Snap-On Tools , took place on July 19, 1997 at Colorado National Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Ron Hornaday junior
  2. Mike Bliss
  3. Stacy Compton
  4. Jay Sauter
  5. Rich Bickle
  6. Rick Crawford
  7. Rick Carelli
  8. Jimmy Hensley
  9. Tony Raines
  10. Butch Miller

Lund look 275K

The 15th race of the season, the Lund Look 275K , took place on July 27, 1997 at Heartland Park Topeka .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Joe Ruttman
  2. Jack Sprague
  3. Ron Hornaday junior
  4. Dorsey Schroeder
  5. Mike Skinner
  6. Bobby Hamilton
  7. Jimmy Hensley
  8. Rick Crawford
  9. Rick Carelli
  10. Tony Raines

Cummins 200

The 16th race of the season, the Cummins 200 , took place on July 31, 1997 at Indianapolis Raceway Park .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Ron Hornaday junior
  2. Jack Sprague
  3. Jimmy Hensley
  4. Joe Ruttman
  5. Mike McLaughlin
  6. Randy Tolsma
  7. Kenny Irwin Jr.
  8. Rick Carelli
  9. Dave Rezendes
  10. Rich Bickle

Stevens Beil / Genuine Parts 200

The 17th race of the season, the Stevens Beil / Genuine Parts 200 , took place on August 9, 1997 at Flemington Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Ron Hornaday junior
  2. Joe Ruttman
  3. Rich Bickle
  4. Jack Sprague
  5. Rick Carelli
  6. Jay Sauter
  7. Mike Wallace
  8. Butch Miller
  9. Tony Roper
  10. Mike Bliss

Federated Auto Parts 250

The 18th race of the season, the Federated Auto Parts 250 , took place on August 16, 1997 at Nashville Speedway USA .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Jack Sprague
  2. Ron Hornaday junior
  3. Butch Miller
  4. Dave Rezendes
  5. Stacy Compton
  6. Rich Bickle
  7. Chuck Bown
  8. Rick Crawford
  9. Mike Bliss
  10. Rick Carelli

Parts America 150

The 19th race of the season, the Parts America 150 , took place on August 24, 1997 at Watkins Glen International Raceway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Ron Fellows
  2. Mike Bliss
  3. Jack Sprague
  4. Joe Ruttman
  5. Ron Hornaday junior
  6. Jimmy Hensley
  7. Ted Christopher
  8. Rick Johnson
  9. Blaise Alexander
  10. Rick Carelli

Virginia Is For Lovers 200

The 20th race of the season, the Virginia Is For Lovers 200 , took place on September 4, 1997 at Richmond International Raceway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Bob Keselowski
  2. Jack Sprague
  3. Jay Sauter
  4. Rich Bickle
  5. Kenny Irwin Jr.
  6. Ken Schrader
  7. Mike Bliss
  8. Chuck Bown
  9. Randy Tolsma
  10. Butch Miller

Hanes 250

The 21st race of the season, the Hanes 250 , took place on September 27, 1997 at Martinsville Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Rich Bickle
  2. Ernie Irvan
  3. Mike Bliss
  4. Jimmy Hensley
  5. Bobby Hamilton
  6. Butch Miller
  7. Jay Sauter
  8. Kenny Irwin Jr.
  9. Stacy Compton
  10. Jack Sprague

Collar / Exide 151

The 22nd race of the season, the collar / Exide 151 , took place on October 5, 1997 at Sears Point Raceway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Joe Ruttman
  2. Tom Hubert
  3. Jay Sauter
  4. Rick Johnson
  5. Jack Sprague
  6. Jimmy Hensley
  7. Rick Carelli
  8. Doug George
  9. Joe Bean
  10. Stacy Compton

Dodge California Truckstop 300

The 23rd race of the season, the Dodge California Truckstop 300 , took place on October 12, 1997 at the Mesa Marin Raceway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Randy Tolsma
  2. Stacy Compton
  3. Mike Bliss
  4. Jay Sauter
  5. Rich Bickle
  6. Rick Crawford
  7. Mike Wallace
  8. Kevin Harvick
  9. Jimmy Hensley
  10. Jack Sprague

The No Fear Challenge

The 24th race of the season, The No Fear Challenge , took place on October 18, 1997 at California Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Mike Bliss
  2. Mike Wallace
  3. Kenny Irwin Jr.
  4. Ernie Irvan
  5. Randy Tolsma
  6. Jack Sprague
  7. Michael Waltrip
  8. Bob Keselowski
  9. Ron Hornaday junior
  10. Rick Crawford

GM Goodwrench / Delco 300

The 25th race of the season, the GM Goodwrench / Delco 300 , took place on November 1, 1997 at Phoenix International Raceway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Joe Ruttman
  2. Chuck Bown
  3. Jack Sprague
  4. Kenny Irwin Jr.
  5. Rick Carelli
  6. Mike Wallace
  7. Jay Sauter
  8. Butch Miller
  9. Ron Hornaday junior
  10. Mike Bliss

Carquest Auto Parts 420K

The 26th and final race of the season, the Carquest Auto Parts 420K , took place on November 9, 1997 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway .

Top 10 placements:

  1. Joe Ruttman
  2. Jack Sprague
  3. Ron Hornaday junior
  4. Jay Sauter
  5. Mike Bliss
  6. Rick Carelli
  7. Mike Wallace
  8. Kevin Harvick
  9. Chuck Bown
  10. Rick Crawford

Overall driver ranking at the end of the season (Top 50)

  1. Jack Sprague - 3969
  2. Rich Bickle - 3737
  3. Joe Ruttman - 3736
  4. Mike Bliss - 3611
  5. Ron Hornaday Junior - 3574
  6. Jay Sauter - 3467
  7. Rick carelli - 3461
  8. Jimmy Hensley - 3385
  9. Chuck Bown - 3320
  10. Kenny Irwin Jr. - 3220
  11. Butch Miller - 3186
  12. Rick Crawford - 3149
  13. Stacy Compton - 3057
  14. Bob Keselowski - 2915
  15. Tony Raines - 2773
  16. Boris Said - 2657
  17. Dave Rezendes - 2613
  18. Tony Roper - 2604
  19. Bryan Reffner - 2433
  20. Tammy Jo Kirk - 2174
  21. Doug George - 2057
  22. Randy Tolsma - 1802
  23. Mike Wallace - 1788
  24. Terry Cook - 1651
  25. Lance Norick - 1620
  26. Kevin Harvick - 1355
  27. Tobey Butler - 1355
  28. Michael Dokken - 1331
  29. Rob Rizzo - 1306
  30. Brian Cunningham - 1265
  31. Dan Press - 1189
  32. Lonnie Rush Jr. - 1087
  33. Bill Sedgwick - 928
  34. Kenny Allen - 911
  35. Kelly Denton - 764
  36. Barry Bodine - 688
  37. Bobby Dotter - 677
  38. Curtis Markham - 651
  39. Ron Barfield - 618
  40. Mike Cope - 613
  41. Ron Fellows - 559
  42. Eric Norris - 553
  43. Tom Hubert - 543
  44. Toby Porter - 451
  45. Andy Houston - 441
  46. Billy Pauch - 441
  47. Mike Skinner - 437
  48. Rick Johnson - 414
  49. Wayne Grubb - 410
  50. Brad Teague - 409

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