1997 NASCAR Busch Series


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

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

List of full-time teams at the start of 1997.
TeamCarDriverListed owner
Akins-Sutton MotorsportsFord Thunderbird38Elton SawyerBob Sutton
BACE MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo33Tim FedewaBarbara Baumgardner
BACE MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo74Randy LaJoieBill Baumgardner
Bill Elliott RacingFord Thunderbird94Ron BarfieldBill Elliott
Brewco MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo37Mark GreenClarence Brewer
Buckshot RacingPontiac Grand Prix00Buckshot JonesBilly Jones
Crestinger RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo20Jimmy SpencerAllen Crestinger
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet Monte Carlo3Steve Park 'Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet Monte Carlo31Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt
Diamond Ridge MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo1Hermie SadlerGary Bechtel
Diamond Ridge MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo8Jeff GreenGary Bechtel
Diamond Ridge MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo29Elliott SadlerGary Bechtel
Donald Laird RacingFord Thunderbird96Stevie ReevesDonald Laird
Ridling MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo43Dennis SetzerDavid Ridling
Ridling MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo88Kevin LepageDavid Ridling
Hensley MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo63Tracy LeslieHubert Hensley
Isenhower Brothers RacingFord Thunderbird32Dale JarrettHorace Isenhower
J & J RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo99Glenn Allen Jr.Bill Papke
Joe Bessey MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo6Joe BesseyNancy Bessey
KEL RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo57Jason KellerJoe Keller
Key MotorsportsFord Thunderbird11Jimmy Foster 'Curtis Key
Labonte MotorsportsPontiac Grand Prix44Bobby Labonte Bobby Labonte
Terry Labonte
Labonte MotorsportsPontiac Grand Prix44Tony Stewart Bobby Labonte
Terry Labonte
Labonte MotorsportsPontiac Grand Prix5Andy Hillenburg Bobby Labonte
Terry Labonte
Labonte MotorsportsPontiac Grand Prix5Terry Labonte Bobby Labonte
Terry Labonte
Labonte MotorsportsPontiac Grand Prix5Brad Leighton Bobby Labonte
Terry Labonte
Labonte MotorsportsPontiac Grand Prix5Steve Grissom Bobby Labonte
Terry Labonte
Labonte MotorsportsPontiac Grand Prix5Jeff Fuller Bobby Labonte
Terry Labonte
Laughin RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo45Greg SacksMike Laughlin
Michael Waltrip RacingFord Thunderbird21Michael WaltripBuffy Waltrip
NorthStar MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo89Johnny Chapman 'Meredith Ruark
Parker RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo72Mike DillonRon Parker
Phil Parsons RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo10Phil ParsonsMarcia Parsons
Phoenix RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo4Dale ShawJames Finch
Porter RacingFord Thunderbird48Randy PorterJames Porter
PRW RacingFord Thunderbird77Jeff McClure 'John Walsh
Reiser EnterprisesChevrolet Monte Carlo17Matt Kenseth Robbie Reiser
Roush RacingFord Thunderbird9Jeff BurtonJack Roush
Roush RacingFord Thunderbird60Mark MartinJack Roush
Shoemaker RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo64Dick TrickleDennis Shoemaker
ST MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo47Jeff FullerTad Geschickter
Stegall MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo85Shane HallDon Stegall
Taylor MotorsportsFord Thunderbird40Jerry RobertsonDoug Taylor
Team 34Chevrolet Monte Carlo34Mike McLaughlinFrank Cicci
Team 34Pontiac Grand Prix36Todd BodineScott Welliver
Wellrich MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo7Mike Wallace Ed Whitaker
Wellrich MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo7Dale Earnhardt Jr. Ed Whitaker

Part-time schedule

Races

Gargoyles 300

The Gargoyles 300 was held on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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, Lyndon Amick, Greg Sacks, Nathan Buttke, Ron Barfield, Doug Reid III

Food City 250

The Food City 250 was held on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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
The All Pro Bumper to Bumper 300 was held on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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
  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

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.