1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 1997 season began on January 19, 1997 with the Ford Chevy Trucks Challenge at Walt Disney World Speedway and ended on 9 November 1997 with the Carquest Auto Parts 420K on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jack Sprague won the Drivers' Championship and Ron Hornaday Jr. became the Most Popular Driver ( Favored driver) selected. Kenny Irwin Jr. won the Rookie of the Year Award.
Race
Quick Overview
Chevy Trucks Challenge
The season opening race, the Chevy Trucks Challenge, was held at the Walt Disney World Speedway on January 19, 1997.
Top 10 rankings:
Driver, who could not 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, was held at Tucson Raceway Park on March 1, 1997.
Top 10 rankings:
Florida Dodge Dealers 400K
The third race of the season, the Florida Dodge Dealers 400K, took place on March 16, 1997 held in Miami -Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex. On lap 144 John Nemechek had a serious accident. He died five days after the race from his injuries.
Top 10 rankings:
Driver, who could 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)
Start Desert Classic
The fourth race of the season, the Desert Star Classic, was held at Phoenix International Raceway on April 20, 1997.
Top 10 rankings:
Craftsman 200
The fifth race of the season, the Craftsman 200, was held at the Portland International Raceway on May 3, 1997.
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NAPACARD 200
The sixth race of the season, the NAPACARD 200, was held at the Evergreen Speedway on May 10, 1997.
Top 10 rankings:
Western Auto / Parts America 200
The seventh race of the season, the Western Auto / Parts America 200 was held at the I-70 Speedway on May 24, 1997.
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Pennzoil Discount Center 200
The eighth race of the season, the Pennzoil Discount Center 200, was held at the New Hampshire International Speedway on May 24, 1997.
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Pronto Auto Parts 400K
The ninth race of the season, the Pronto Auto Parts 400K, was held at the Texas Motor Speedway on June 6, 1997.
Top 10 rankings:
Load Handler 200
The tenth race of the season, the load handler 200, was held at the Bristol Motor Speedway on June 21, 1997.
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NAPA Auto Care 200
The eleventh race of the season, the NAPA Auto Care 200, was held at the Nazareth Speedway on June 29, 1997.
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Sears DieHard 200
The twelfth race of the season, the Sears DieHard 200 was held at the Milwaukee Mile on July 5, 1997.
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Link-Belt Construction Equipment 225
The 13.Rennen of the season, the Link-Belt Construction Equipment 225, was held at the Louisville Motor Speedway on July 12, 1997.
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Colorado 250 By Snap- On Tools
The 14.Rennen of the season, the Colorado 250 By Snap- On Tools, was held at the Colorado National Speedway on July 19, 1997.
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Lund Look 275K
The 15.Rennen of the season, the Lund Look 275K, Park Topeka took place in the Heartland July 27, 1997.
Top 10 rankings:
Cummins 200
The 16.Rennen of the season, the Cummins 200, found on 31 July 1997 held at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
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Stevens Beil / Genuine Parts 200
The 17.Rennen of the season, the Stevens Beil / Genuine Parts 200 was held at the Flemington Speedway on August 9, 1997.
Top 10 rankings:
Federated Auto Parts 250
The 18.Rennen of the season, the Federated Auto Parts 250 was held at the Nashville Speedway USA on 16 August 1997.
Top 10 rankings:
Parts America 150
The 19.Rennen of the season, the Parts America 150 was held at the Watkins Glen International Raceway on August 24, 1997.
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Virginia Is For Lovers 200
The 20.Rennen of the season, the Virginia Is For Lovers 200, was held at the Richmond International Raceway on September 4, 1997.
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Hanes 250
The 21.Rennen of the season, the Hanes 250 was held at the Martinsville Speedway on September 27, 1997.
Top 10 rankings:
Collar / Exide 151
The 22.Rennen of the season, the collar / Exide 151, took place at the Sears Point Raceway on October 5, 1997.
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Dodge California Truck Stop 300
The 23.Rennen of the season, the Dodge California Truck Stop 300, was held at the Mesa Marin Raceway on 12 October 1997.
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The No Fear Challenge
The 24.Rennen of the season, the The No Fear Challenge, was held at California Speedway on 18 October 1997.
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GM Goodwrench / Delco 300
The 25.Rennen of the season, the GM Goodwrench / Delco 300 was held at Phoenix International Raceway on November 1, 1997.
Top 10 rankings:
Carquest Auto Parts 420K
The 26th and final race of the season, the Carquest Auto Parts 420K, took place on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on November 9, 1997.
Top 10 rankings: