1997 NASCAR Busch Series

1997 NASCAR Busch Series season
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Champions | Seasons

Randy LaJoie, the 1997 Busch Series champion

The 1997 NASCAR Busch Series season began February 15 and ended November 9. Randy LaJoie of BACE Motorsports won the championship.

1997 team chart

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

Team	Car(s)	No.	Driver(s)	Listed owner(s)
Akins-Sutton Motorsports	Ford Thunderbird	38	Elton Sawyer	Bob Sutton
BACE Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	33	Tim Fedewa	Barbara Baumgardner
		74	Randy LaJoie	Bill Baumgardner
Bill Elliott Racing	Ford Thunderbird	94	Ron Barfield	Bill Elliott
Brewco Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	37	Mark Green	Clarence Brewer
Buckshot Racing	Pontiac Grand Prix	00	Buckshot Jones	Billy Jones
Crestinger Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	20	Jimmy Spencer	Allen Crestinger
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	3	Steve Park (R)	Dale Earnhardt
		31	Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 8
Diamond Ridge Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	1	Hermie Sadler	Gary Bechtel
		8	Jeff Green
		29	Elliott Sadler
Donald Laird Racing	Ford Thunderbird	96	Stevie Reeves	Donald Laird
Ridling Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	43	Rodney Combs	David Ridling
		88	Kevin Lepage
Hensley Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	63	Tracy Leslie	Hubert Hensley
Isenhower Brothers Racing	Ford Thunderbird	32	Dale Jarrett	Horace Isenhower
J&J Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	99	Glenn Allen, Jr.	Bill Papke
Joe Bessey Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	6	Joe Bessey	Nancy Bessey
KEL Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	57	Jason Keller	Joe Keller
Key Motorsports	Ford Thunderbird	11	Jimmy Foster (R)	Curtis Key
Labonte Motorsports	Pontiac Grand Prix	44	Bobby Labonte 15	Bobby Labonte Terry Labonte
			Tony Stewart 5
		5	Andy Hillenburg 1
			Terry Labonte 14
			Brad Leighton 1
			Steve Grissom 1
			Jeff Fuller 1
Laughin Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	45	Greg Sacks	Mike Laughlin
Michael Waltrip Racing	Ford Thunderbird	21	Michael Waltrip	Buffy Waltrip
NorthStar Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	89	Johnny Chapman (R)	Meredith Ruark
Parker Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	72	Mike Dillon	Ron Parker
Phil Parsons Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	10	Phil Parsons	Marcia Parsons
Phoenix Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	4	Jeff Purvis	James Finch
Porter Racing	Ford Thunderbird	48	Randy Porter	James Porter
PRW Racing	Ford Thunderbird	77	Jeff McClure (R)	John Walsh
Reiser Enterprises	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	17	Tim Bender (R)	Robbie Reiser
Roush Racing	Ford Thunderbird	9	Jeff Burton	Jack Roush
		60	Mark Martin
Shoemaker Racing	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	64	Dick Trickle	Dennis Shoemaker
ST Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	47	Jeff Fuller	Tad Geschickter
Stegall Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	85	Shane Hall	Don Stegall
Taylor Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	40	Doug Heveron	Doug Taylor
Team 34	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	34	Mike McLaughlin	Frank Cicci
	Pontiac Grand Prix	36	Todd Bodine	Scott Welliver
Wellrich Motorsports	Chevrolet Monte Carlo	7	Mike Wallace 6	Ed Whitaker
			Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 2

Part-time teams

No.	Driver	Make	Team	1996 result
5	Terry Labonte	Chevrolet	Terry Labonte Inc.	76th
22	Scott Lagasse	Chevrolet	Super Sports Racing	new team
24	David Hutto	Chevrolet	Hutto Racing	104th
49	Kyle Petty	Chevrolet	Shaver Racing	72nd
51	Jim Bown	Chevrolet	Bown Racing	33rd
68	Jamie Aube	Chevrolet	Wegner Motorsports	none
70	Dale Fischlein	Chevrolet	Mike Stegall Racing	61st
81	Stanton Barrett	Chevrolet	Pro Tech Motorsports	64th
87	Joe Nemechek	Chevrolet	NEMCO Motorsports	34th
91	Doug Reid III (R)	Chevrolet	Barney Walker Motorsports Inc.	new team

Gargoyles 300

The Gargoyles 300 was held February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 74-Randy LaJoie
2. 36-Todd Bodine
3. 21-Michael Waltrip
4. 87-Joe Nemechek
5. 63-Tracy Leslie
6. 45-Greg Sacks
7. 3-Steve Park
8. 37-Mark Green
9. 4-Jeff Purvis
10. 10-Phil Parsons

Goodwrench Service 200

The Goodwrench Service 200 was held February 22 at North Carolina Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 60-Mark Martin
2. 32-Dale Jarrett
3. 74-Randy LaJoie
4. 10-Phil Parsons
5. 29-Elliott Sadler
6. 2-Ricky Craven
7. 36-Todd Bodine
8. 34-Mike McLaughlin
9. 99-Glenn Allen, Jr.
10. 33-Tim Fedewa

Hardee's Fried Chicken 250

The Hardee's Fried Chicken 250 was held March 1 at Richmond International Raceway. Randy LaJoie won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 60-Mark Martin
2. 8-Jeff Green
3. 3-Steve Park
4. 10-Phil Parsons
5. 57-Jason Keller
6. 9-Jeff Burton
7. 36-Todd Bodine
8. 74-Randy LaJoie
9. 94-Ron Barfield
10. 44-Bobby Labonte

Stihl Outdoor Power Tools 300

The Stihl Outdoor Power Tools 300 was held March 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Tim Bender won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 60-Mark Martin
2. 38-Elton Sawyer
3. 44-Bobby Labonte
4. 00-Buckshot Jones
5. 87-Joe Nemechek
6. 36-Todd Bodine
7. 33-Tim Fedewa
8. 10-Phil Parsons
9. 29-Elliott Sadler
10. 5-Terry Labonte

Las Vegas 300

The inaugural Las Vegas 300 was held March 16 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jeff Green won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 8-Jeff Green
2. 64-Dick Trickle
3. 36-Todd Bodine
4. 21-Michael Waltrip
5. 4-Tim Steele
6. 45-Greg Sacks
7. 10-Phil Parsons
8. 3-Steve Park
9. 99-Glenn Allen, Jr.
10. 72-Mike Dillon

Diamond Hill Plywood 200

The Diamond Hill Plywood 200 was held March 22 at Darlington Raceway. Elliott Sadler won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 74-Randy LaJoie
2. 9-Jeff Burton
3. 64-Dick Trickle
4. 60-Mark Martin
5. 10-Phil Parsons
6. 00-Buckshot Jones
7. 47-Jeff Fuller
8. 8-Jeff Green
9. 63-Tracy Leslie
10. 36-Todd Bodine

Galaxy Foods 300

The Galaxy Foods 300 was held March 29 at Hickory Motor Speedway. Todd Bodine won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 64-Dick Trickle
2. 74-Randy LaJoie
3. 33-Tim Fedewa
4. 8-Jeff Green
5. 36-Todd Bodine
6. 38-Elton Sawyer
7. 57-Jason Keller
8. 39-Elliott Sadler
9. 37-Mark Green
10. 34-Mike McLaughlin

Coca-Cola 300

The inaugural Coca-Cola 300 was held April 5 at Texas Motor Speedway.

1. 60-Mark Martin
2. 20-Jimmy Spencer
3. 9-Jeff Burton
4. 36-Todd Bodine
5. 34-Mike McLaughlin
6. 10-Phil Parsons
7. 00-Buckshot Jones
8. 88-Kevin Lepage
9. 74-Randy LaJoie
10. 63-Tracy Leslie

Moore's Snacks 250

The Moore's Snacks 250 was held April 12 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Hermie Sadler won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 9-Jeff Burton
2. 34-Mike McLaughlin
3. 74-Randy LaJoie
4. 21-Michael Waltrip
5. 64-Dick Trickle
6. 3-Steve Park
7. 33-Tim Fedewa
8. 10-Phil Parsons
9. 57-Jason Keller
10. 00-Buckshot Jones

BellSouth Mobility / Opryland 320

The BellSouth Mobility / Opryland 320 was held April 19 at Nashville Speedway USA. Mike McLaughlin won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 3-Steve Park
2. 8-Jeff Green
3. 33-Tim Fedewa
4. 28-Jeff Purvis
5. 36-Todd Bodine
6. 74-Randy LaJoie
7. 1-Hermie Sadler
8. 88-Kevin Lepage
9. 43-Dennis Setzer
10. 00-Buckshot Jones

Birmingham Auto Dealers 500K

The Birmingham Auto Dealers 500K was held May 6 at Talladega Superspeedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 60-Mark Martin
2. 3-Steve Park
3. 8-Jeff Green
4. 49-Kyle Petty
5. 33-Tim Fedewa
6. 4-Tim Steele
7. 17-Matt Kenseth
8. 36-Todd Bodine
9. 94-Ron Barfield
10. 64-Dick Trickle

United States Cellular 200

The United States Cellular 200 was held May 10 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Randy LaJoie won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 34-Mike McLaughlin
2. 3-Steve Park
3. 47-Jeff Fuller
4. 38-Elton Sawyer
5. 10-Phil Parsons
6. 36-Todd Bodine
7. 74-Randy LaJoie
8. 80-Mark Krogh
9. 76-Tom Bolles
10. 4-Dale Shaw

Core States Advantage 200

The Core States Advantage 200 was held May 18 at Nazareth Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 29-Elliott Sadler
2. 36-Todd Bodine
3. 74-Randy LaJoie
4. 8-Jeff Green
5. 4-Dale Shaw
6. 6-Joe Bessey
7. 57-Jason Keller
8. 34-Mike McLaughlin
9. 00-Buckshot Jones
10. 43-Dennis Setzer

Carquest Auto Parts 300

The Carquest Auto Parts 300 was held May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 87-Joe Nemechek
2. 88-Kevin Lepage
3. 60-Mark Martin
4. 20-Jimmy Spencer
5. 10-Phil Parsons
6. 00-Buckshot Jones
7. 34-Todd Bodine
8. 57-Jason Keller
9. 1-Hermie Sadler
10. 74-Randy LaJoie

GM Goodwrench/Delco Batteries 200

The GM Goodwrench/Delco Batteries 200 was held May 31 at Dover International Speedway. Dick Trickle won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 44-Bobby Labonte
2. 9-Jeff Burton
3. 74-Randy LaJoie
4. 88-Kevin Lepage
5. 3-Steve Park
6. 32-Dale Jarrett
7. 36-Todd Bodine
8. 5-Terry Labonte
9. 38-Elton Sawyer
10. 21-Michael Waltrip

Winston Motorsports 300

The Winston Motorsports 300 was held June 13 at South Boston Speedway. Shane Hall won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 74-Randy LaJoie
2. 4-Dale Shaw
3. 00-Buckshot Jones
4. 88-Kevin Lepage
5. 38-Elton Sawyer
6. 17-Matt Kenseth
7. 57-Jason Keller
8. 34-Mike McLaughlin
9. 36-Todd Bodine
10. 6-Joe Bessey

Lysol 200

The Lysol 200 was held June 29 at Watkins Glen International Raceway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 34-Mike McLaughlin
2. 36-Todd Bodine
3. 87-Joe Nemechek
4. 20-Jimmy Spencer
5. 5-Terry Labonte
6. 3-Steve Park
7. 44-Bobby Labonte
8. 32-Dale Jarrett
9. 1-Hermie Sadler
10. 85-Shane Hall

Sears Auto Center 250

The Sears Auto Center 250 was held July 6 at The Milwaukee Mile. Tim Fedewa won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 74-Randy LaJoie
2. 29-Elliott Sadler
3. 1-Hermie Sadler
4. 00-Buckshot Jones
5. 3-Steve Park
6. 38-Elton Sawyer
7. 10-Phil Parsons
8. 4-Dale Shaw
9. 63-Tracy Leslie
10. 33-Tim Fedewa

Advance Auto Parts 250

The Advance Auto Parts 250 was held July 12 at Myrtle Beach Speedway. Elliott Sadler won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 29-Elliott Sadler
2. 34-Mike McLaughlin
3. 74-Randy LaJoie
4. 36-Todd Bodine
5. 38-Elton Sawyer
6. 72-Mike Dillon
7. 99-Glenn Allen, Jr.
8. 28-Jeff Purvis
9. 3-Steve Park
10. 00-Buckshot Jones

Gateway 300

The Gateway 300 was held July 26 at Gateway International Raceway. Joe Bessey won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 29-Elliott Sadler
2. 57-Jason Keller
3. 4-Dale Shaw
4. 38-Elton Sawyer
5. 34-Mike McLaughlin
6. 33-Tim Fedewa
7. 45-Jeff Fuller
8. 37-Mark Green
9. 6-Joe Bessey
10. 43-Dennis Setzer

Kroger 200 Presented by Ziploc

The Kroger 200 Presented by Ziploc was held August 1 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Randy LaJoie won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 74-Randy LaJoie
2. 29-Elliott Sadler
3. 38-Elton Sawyer
4. 33-Tim Fedewa
5. 83-Wayne Grubb
6. 17-Matt Kenseth
7. 00-Buckshot Jones
8. 3-Steve Park
9. 56-Jeff Krogh
10. 57-Jason Keller

Detroit Gasket 200

The Detroit Gasket 200 was held August 16 at Michigan International Speedway. Hermie Sadler won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 3-Steve Park
2. 20-Jimmy Spencer
3. 44-Bobby Labonte
4. 9-Jeff Burton
5. 00-Buckshot Jones
6. 36-Todd Bodine
7. 31-Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
8. 17-Matt Kenseth
9. 10-Phil Parsons
10. 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 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

1. 20-Jimmy Spencer
2. 3-Steve Park
3. 47-Robert Pressley
4. 74-Randy LaJoie
5. 75-Rick Wilson
6. 44-Bobby Labonte
7. 96-Stevie Reeves
8. 36-Todd Bodine
9. 45-Jeff Fuller
10. 88-Kevin Lepage

Dura Lube 200 Presented by Trak Automotive

The Dura Lube 200 Presented by Trak Automotive was held 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

1. 9-Jeff Burton
2. 34-Mike McLaughlin
3. 64-Dick Trickle
4. 44-Bobby Labonte
5. 3-Steve Park
6. 60-Mark Martin
7. 1-Hermie Sadler
8. 36-Todd Bodine
9. 29-Elliott Sadler
10. 2-Ricky Craven

Autolite Platinum 250

The Autolite Platinum 250 was held September 5 at Richmond International Raceway. Michael Waltrip won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 3-Steve Park
2. 74-Randy LaJoie
3. 9-Jeff Burton
4. 64-Dick Trickle
5. 00-Buckshot Jones
6. 4-Dale Shaw
7. 57-Jason Keller
8. 60-Mark Martin
9. 33-Tim Fedewa
10. 1-Hermie Sadler

MBNA 200

The MBNA 200 was held September 20 at Dover International Speedway. Dick Trickle won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 6-Joe Bessey
2. 74-Randy LaJoie
3. 17-Matt Kenseth
4. 72-Mike Dillon
5. 3-Steve Park
6. 29-Elliott Sadler
7. 63-Tracy Leslie
8. 99-Glenn Allen, Jr.
9. 5-Terry Labonte
10. 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 October 4 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Joe Nemechek won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 20-Jimmy Spencer
2. 60-Mark Martin
3. 44-Tony Stewart
4. 9-Jeff Burton
5. 37-Mark Green
6. 3-Steve Park
7. 32-Dale Jarrett
8. 87-Joe Nemechek
9. 18-Bobby Labonte
10. 00-Buckshot Jones

Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300

The inaugural Kenwood Home & Car Audio 300 was held October 19 at California Speedway. Steve Park won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 36-Todd Bodine
2. 3-Steve Park
3. 17-Matt Kenseth
4. 21-Michael Waltrip
5. 47-Robert Pressley
6. 72-Mike Dillon
7. 99-Glenn Allen, Jr.
8. 43-Dennis Setzer
9. 34-Mike McLaughlin
10. 74-Randy LaJoie

AC Delco 200

The AC Delco 200 was held October 25 at North Carolina Speedway. Jeff Burton won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 60-Mark Martin
2. 64-Dick Trickle
3. 2-Ricky Craven
4. 9-Jeff Burton
5. 1-Hermie Sadler
6. 3-Steve Park
7. 34-Mike McLaughlin
8. 37-Mark Green
9. 44-Tony Stewart
10. 47-Robert Pressley

Jiffy Lube Miami 300

The Jiffy Lube Miami 300 was held November 9 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mike McLaughlin won the pole.

Top ten results

1. 87-Joe Nemechek
2. 74-Randy LaJoie
3. 60-Mark Martin
4. 99-Glenn Allen, Jr.
5. 20-Jimmy Spencer
6. 17-Matt Kenseth
7. 36-Todd Bodine
8. 88-Kevin Schwantz
9. 6-Joe Bessey
10. 33-Tim Fedewa

This was a very emotional win for Nemechek, as his brother lost his life at HMS just 8 months earlier.

Final points standings

1. Randy LaJoie - 4381
2. Todd Bodine - 4115
3. Steve Park - 4080
4. Mike McLaughlin - 3614
5. Elliott Sadler - 3534
6. Phil Parsons - 3523
7. Buckshot Jones - 3437
8. Elton Sawyer - 3419
9. Tim Fedewa - 3398
10. Hermie Sadler - 3340
11. Mark Green - 3261
12. Kevin Lepage - 3248
13. Jason Keller - 3242
14. Dick Trickle - 3074
15. Mike Dillon - 3008
16. Glenn Allen, Jr. - 2969
17. Tracy Leslie - 2880
18. Joe Bessey - 2835
19. Dennis Setzer - 2541
20. Stevie Reeves - 2528
21. Jeff Fuller - 2515
22. Matt Kenseth - 2426
23. Shane Hall - 2285
24. Mark Martin - 2104
25. Johnny Chapman - 2016
26. Jeff Burton - 1948
27. Bobby Labonte - 1912
28. Jeff Green - 1898
29. Michael Waltrip - 1738
30. Jimmy Spencer - 1576
31. Mark Krogh - 1481
32. Robert Pressley - 1465
33. Terry Labonte - 1455
34. Greg Sacks - 1420
35. Jeff Krogh - 1416
36. Dale Jarrett - 1364
37. Ron Barfield - 1362
38. Randy Porter - 1320
39. Dale Shaw - 1258
40. Joe Nemechek - 1162
41. Nathan Buttke - 1135
42. Lyndon Amick - 1110
43. Ricky Craven - 1063
44. Jeff Purvis - 972
45. Rodney Combs - 743
46. Tim Steele - 736
47. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - 684
48. Ed Berrier - 655
49. Tim Bender - 620
50. Rick Wilson - 617

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
• 1996 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

External links

• Busch Series standings and statistics for 1997