NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 1997 season
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 .
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Brief overview
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:
- Joe Ruttman
- Butch Miller
- Rich Bickle
- Jay Sauter
- Rick Carelli
- Jimmy Hensley
- Kenny Irwin Jr.
- Ron Barfield
- Curtis Markham
- 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:
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Rich Bickle
- Jay Sauter
- Butch Miller
- Mike Bliss
- Rob Rizzo
- Jack Sprague
- Jimmy Hensley
- Chuck Bown
- 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:
- Kenny Irwin Jr.
- Mike Bliss
- Chuck Bown
- Mike Skinner
- Jack Sprague
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Dave Rezendes
- Rick Carelli
- Butch Miller
- 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:
- Jack Sprague
- Joe Ruttman
- Mike Bliss
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Rich Bickle
- Bob Keselowski
- Dave Rezendes
- Chuck Bown
- Toby Porter
- 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:
- Rich Bickle
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Butch Miller
- Jack Sprague
- Bob Keselowski
- Mike Bliss
- Tony Raines
- Rick Crawford
- Tobey Butler
- 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:
- Rich Bickle
- Jack Sprague
- Michael Dokken
- Joe Ruttman
- Kenny Irwin Jr.
- Bob Keselowski
- Mike Bliss
- Stacy Compton
- Ron Hornaday junior
- 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:
- Tony Raines
- Jimmy Hensley
- Chuck Bown
- Rich Bickle
- Butch Miller
- Joe Ruttman
- Rick Carelli
- Mike Bliss
- Tony Roper
- 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:
- Jay Sauter
- Jack Sprague
- Rick Carelli
- Boris Said
- Kenny Irwin Jr.
- Rick Crawford
- Dave Rezendes
- Bryan Reffner
- Joe Ruttman
- 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:
- Kenny Irwin Jr.
- Boris Said
- Rick Crawford
- Chuck Bown
- Mike Bliss
- Bob Keselowski
- Dave Rezendes
- Randy Tolsma
- Joe Ruttman
- 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:
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Rich Bickle
- Jay Sauter
- Rick Carelli
- Joe Ruttman
- Rick Crawford
- Jack Sprague
- Jimmy Hensley
- 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:
- Jack Sprague
- Joe Ruttman
- Mike Bliss
- Rich Bickle
- Michael Dokken
- Rick Carelli
- Chuck Bown
- David Green
- Jay Sauter
- 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:
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Jay Sauter
- Rich Bickle
- Jack Sprague
- Rick Carelli
- Mike Wallace
- Tony Raines
- Jimmy Hensley
- Joe Ruttman
- 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:
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Joe Ruttman
- Jimmy Hensley
- Tony Raines
- Rich Bickle
- Stacy Compton
- Scot Walters
- Jack Sprague
- Boris Said
- 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:
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Mike Bliss
- Stacy Compton
- Jay Sauter
- Rich Bickle
- Rick Crawford
- Rick Carelli
- Jimmy Hensley
- Tony Raines
- 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:
- Joe Ruttman
- Jack Sprague
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Dorsey Schroeder
- Mike Skinner
- Bobby Hamilton
- Jimmy Hensley
- Rick Crawford
- Rick Carelli
- 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:
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Jack Sprague
- Jimmy Hensley
- Joe Ruttman
- Mike McLaughlin
- Randy Tolsma
- Kenny Irwin Jr.
- Rick Carelli
- Dave Rezendes
- 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:
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Joe Ruttman
- Rich Bickle
- Jack Sprague
- Rick Carelli
- Jay Sauter
- Mike Wallace
- Butch Miller
- Tony Roper
- 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:
- Jack Sprague
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Butch Miller
- Dave Rezendes
- Stacy Compton
- Rich Bickle
- Chuck Bown
- Rick Crawford
- Mike Bliss
- 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:
- Ron Fellows
- Mike Bliss
- Jack Sprague
- Joe Ruttman
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Jimmy Hensley
- Ted Christopher
- Rick Johnson
- Blaise Alexander
- 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:
- Bob Keselowski
- Jack Sprague
- Jay Sauter
- Rich Bickle
- Kenny Irwin Jr.
- Ken Schrader
- Mike Bliss
- Chuck Bown
- Randy Tolsma
- 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:
- Rich Bickle
- Ernie Irvan
- Mike Bliss
- Jimmy Hensley
- Bobby Hamilton
- Butch Miller
- Jay Sauter
- Kenny Irwin Jr.
- Stacy Compton
- 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:
- Joe Ruttman
- Tom Hubert
- Jay Sauter
- Rick Johnson
- Jack Sprague
- Jimmy Hensley
- Rick Carelli
- Doug George
- Joe Bean
- 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:
- Randy Tolsma
- Stacy Compton
- Mike Bliss
- Jay Sauter
- Rich Bickle
- Rick Crawford
- Mike Wallace
- Kevin Harvick
- Jimmy Hensley
- 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:
- Mike Bliss
- Mike Wallace
- Kenny Irwin Jr.
- Ernie Irvan
- Randy Tolsma
- Jack Sprague
- Michael Waltrip
- Bob Keselowski
- Ron Hornaday junior
- 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:
- Joe Ruttman
- Chuck Bown
- Jack Sprague
- Kenny Irwin Jr.
- Rick Carelli
- Mike Wallace
- Jay Sauter
- Butch Miller
- Ron Hornaday junior
- 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:
- Joe Ruttman
- Jack Sprague
- Ron Hornaday junior
- Jay Sauter
- Mike Bliss
- Rick Carelli
- Mike Wallace
- Kevin Harvick
- Chuck Bown
- Rick Crawford
Overall driver ranking at the end of the season (Top 50)
- Jack Sprague - 3969
- Rich Bickle - 3737
- Joe Ruttman - 3736
- Mike Bliss - 3611
- Ron Hornaday Junior - 3574
- Jay Sauter - 3467
- Rick carelli - 3461
- Jimmy Hensley - 3385
- Chuck Bown - 3320
- Kenny Irwin Jr. - 3220
- Butch Miller - 3186
- Rick Crawford - 3149
- Stacy Compton - 3057
- Bob Keselowski - 2915
- Tony Raines - 2773
- Boris Said - 2657
- Dave Rezendes - 2613
- Tony Roper - 2604
- Bryan Reffner - 2433
- Tammy Jo Kirk - 2174
- Doug George - 2057
- Randy Tolsma - 1802
- Mike Wallace - 1788
- Terry Cook - 1651
- Lance Norick - 1620
- Kevin Harvick - 1355
- Tobey Butler - 1355
- Michael Dokken - 1331
- Rob Rizzo - 1306
- Brian Cunningham - 1265
- Dan Press - 1189
- Lonnie Rush Jr. - 1087
- Bill Sedgwick - 928
- Kenny Allen - 911
- Kelly Denton - 764
- Barry Bodine - 688
- Bobby Dotter - 677
- Curtis Markham - 651
- Ron Barfield - 618
- Mike Cope - 613
- Ron Fellows - 559
- Eric Norris - 553
- Tom Hubert - 543
- Toby Porter - 451
- Andy Houston - 441
- Billy Pauch - 441
- Mike Skinner - 437
- Rick Johnson - 414
- Wayne Grubb - 410
- Brad Teague - 409