1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

The 1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was the third season of the Craftsman Truck Series, the third highest stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. Jack Sprague of Hendrick Motorsports won the title.

Teams & Drivers
List of full-time teams at the start of 1997.

Chevy Trucks Challenge
The inaugural Chevy Trucks Challenge was held January 19 at Walt Disney World Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 2) 20-Butch Miller
 * 3) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 4)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 5)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 6) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 7) 98-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 8) 94-Ron Barfield
 * 9) 13-Curtis Markham
 * 10) 86-Stacy Compton

Failed to qualify: 01-Billy Ogle, 04-Thomas Spangler, 08-Felix Giles, 9-Greg Marlowe, 19-Tony Raines, 22-David Smith, 23-T. J. Clark, 25-Andy Genzman, 26-Andy Belmont, 27-Rob Rizzo, 39-Jeff Spraker, 41-Randy Renfrow, 45-Michael Cohen, 51-Perry Tripp, 52-Tobey Butler, 54-Jon Leavy, 56-Darin Brassfield, 59-Shane Doles, 61-Randy Tolsma, 64-Chad Dokken, 69-Jimmy Davis, 73-Bob Schacht, 88-Terry Cook, 92-Mark Kinser


 * Tobey Butler replaced Bob Brevak in the #34 truck in the race.

NAPA 200
The NAPA 200 was held March 1 at Tucson Raceway Park. The #18 of Michael Dokken won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 2) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 3)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 4) 20-Butch Miller
 * 5)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 6) 27-Rob Rizzo
 * 7) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 8) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 9) 99-Chuck Bown
 * 10)  7-Dave Rezendes

Failed to qualify: 07-Tammy Jo Kirk, 09-Tim Buckley, 9-Kevin Briscoe, 11-Mike Hurlbert, 15-Mike Cope, 23-T. J. Clark, 25-Andy Genzman, 26-Andy Belmont, 31-Tony Roper, 32-Curtis Markham, 45-Michael Cohen, 52-Tobey Butler, 53-Scott Hansen, 54-Jon Leavy, 55-Lance Hooper, 56-Darin Brassfield, 63-Carlos Serrano, 65-Kenny Allen, 73-Scott Grissom, 88-Terry Cook, 90-Lance Norick


 * Tony Roper replaced Bob Brevak in the #34 truck in the race.

Florida Dodge Dealers 400
The Florida Dodge Dealers 400 was held March 16 at Miami-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex. Joe Ruttman won the pole. Tragedy struck during this race when John Nemechek struck the wall in turn 2 on lap 144, suffering massive head injuries. He died five days later.

Top ten results


 * 1) 98-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 2)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 3) 99-Chuck Bown
 * 4) 93-Mike Skinner
 * 5) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 6) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 7) 35-Dave Rezendes
 * 8)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 9) 20-Butch Miller
 * 10) 90-Lance Norick

Failed to qualify: 00-Frank Kimmel, 10-Toby Porter, 23-T. J. Clark, 34-Bob Brevak, 45-Michael Cohen, 51-Terry McCarthy, 54-Jon Leavy, 55-Jim Bown, 61-Randy Tolsma, 62-Blaise Alexander, 68-Bobby Dotter, 68-Ronnie Newman, 73-Bob Schacht, 81-Jerry Glanville, 88-Terry Cook

Commentators: Mike Joy, Buddy Baker, Steve Brynes and Mike Hogewood

Chevy Desert Star Classic
The Chevy Desert Star Classic was held April 20 at Phoenix International Raceway. Jack Sprague won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 2) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 3)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 4) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 5) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 6) 29-Bob Keselowski
 * 7) 35-Dave Rezendes
 * 8) 99-Chuck Bown
 * 9) 10-Toby Porter
 * 10)  6-Rick Carelli

Failed to qualify: 13-Mike Colabucci, 19-Tony Raines, 25-Andy Genzman, 26-Andy Belmont, 27-Rob Rizzo, 38-Doug Adams, 54-Jon Leavy, 55-Jim Bown, 61-Randy Tolsma, 92-Mark Kinser, 04-Tommy Spangler

Craftsman 200
The Craftsman 200 was held May 3 at Portland Speedway. Rich Bickle won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 2) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 3) 20-Butch Miller
 * 4) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 5) 29-Bob Keselowski
 * 6)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 7) 19-Tony Raines
 * 8) 14-Rick Crawford
 * 9) 52-Tobey Butler
 * 10)  3-Jay Sauter

Failed to qualify: 10-Toby Porter, 23-T. J. Clark, 25-Andy Genzman, 56-Brandon Butler, 57-Brian Cunningham

NAPACARD 200
The NAPACARD 200 was held May 10 at Evergreen Speedway. Rich Bickle won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 2) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 3) 18-Michael Dokken
 * 4) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 5) 98-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 6) 29-Bob Keselowski
 * 7)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 8) 86-Stacy Compton
 * 9) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 10) 20-Butch Miller

Failed to qualify: 01-Dave Goulet, 4-Bill Sedgwick, 57-Brian Cunningham, 77-Lonnie Rush, Jr., 87-Jim Bown, 92-Mark Kinser

Western Auto/Parts America 200
The Western Auto/Parts America 200 was held May 24 at I-70 Speedway. Rich Bickle won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 19-Tony Raines*
 * 2) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 3) 99-Chuck Bown
 * 4) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 5) 20-Butch Miller
 * 6) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 7)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 8)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 9) 31-Tony Roper
 * 10) 24-Jack Sprague

Failed to qualify: 27-Rob Rizzo, 37-Scot Walters, 46-Marc Robe, 61-Randy Tolsma, 90-Lance Norick, 92-Mark Kinser


 * This was Raines' first career Craftsman Truck Series win.

Pennzoil Discount Center 200
The Pennzoil Discount Center 200 was held May 31 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 2) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 3)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 4) 44-Boris Said
 * 5) 98-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 6) 14-Rick Crawford
 * 7) 35-Dave Rezendes
 * 8) 66-Bryan Reffner
 * 9) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 10) 99-Chuck Bown

Failed to qualify: 39-Jeff Spraker, 47-Danny Hieber

Pronto Auto Parts 400K
The inaugural Pronto Auto Parts 400K was held June 6 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 98-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 2) 44-Boris Said
 * 3) 14-Rick Crawford
 * 4) 99-Chuck Bown
 * 5)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 6) 29-Bob Keselowski
 * 7) 35-Dave Rezendes
 * 8) 61-Randy Tolsma
 * 9) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 10) 42-Ken Bouchard

Failed to qualify: none

Loadhandler 200
The Loadhandler 200 was held June 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Ron Hornaday, Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 2) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 3)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 4)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 5) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 6) 14-Rick Crawford
 * 7) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 8) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 9) 99-Chuck Bown
 * 10) 66-Bryan Reffner

Failed to qualify: 0-James Boulton, 01-Billy Ogle, Jr., 11-Eddie Johnson, 22-Tommy Humphries, 25-Andy Genzman, 57-Brian Cunningham, 70-Joe Buford

NAPA 200
The NAPA AutoCare 200 was held June 29 at Nazareth Speedway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 2) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 3)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 4) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 5) 18-Michael Dokken
 * 6)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 7) 99-Chuck Bown
 * 8) 37-David Green
 * 9)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 10) 19-Tony Raines

Failed to qualify: none

Sears DieHard 200
The Sears DieHard 200 was held July 5 at The Milwaukee Mile. Jack Sprague won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 2)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 3) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 4) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 5)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 6) 52-Mike Wallace
 * 7) 19-Tony Raines
 * 8) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 9) 80-Joe Ruttman -1
 * 10) 99-Chuck Bown -1

Failed to qualify: 4-Bill Sedgwick, 25-Andy Genzman, 63-Cindy Peterson, 73-Bob Schacht

Link-Belt Construction Equipment 225
The Link-Belt Construction Equipment 225 was held July 12 at Louisville Motor Speedway. Jimmy Hensley won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.*
 * 2) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 3) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 4) 19-Tony Raines
 * 5) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 6) 86-Stacy Compton
 * 7) 37-Scot Walters
 * 8) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 9) 44-Boris Said
 * 10) 52-Mike Wallace

Failed to qualify: 06-Billy Pauch, 11-Eddie Johnson, 22-Tommy Humphries, 39-Jeff Spraker, 41-Bill Sedgwick, 91-Gary Brooks


 * Ron Hornaday Jr. led every lap in route to the win.

Colorado 250 By Snap-On Tools
The Colorado 250 By Snap-On Tools was held July 19 at Colorado National Speedway. Ron Hornaday, Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 2)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 3) 86-Stacy Compton
 * 4)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 5) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 6) 14-Rick Crawford
 * 7)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 8) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 9) 19-Tony Raines
 * 10) 20-Butch Miller

Failed to qualify: none

Lund Look 275K
The Lund Look 275K was held July 27 at Heartland Park Topeka*. Joe Ruttman won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 2) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 3) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 4) 55-Dorsey Schroeder
 * 5) 93-Mike Skinner
 * 6)  1-Bobby Hamilton
 * 7) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 8) 14-Rick Crawford
 * 9)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 10) 19-Tony Raines

Failed to qualify: 5-Robbie Pyle, 45-Michael Cohen, 54-Jon Leavy, 82-Randy Nelson


 * This was the first Craftsman Truck Series race at Heartland Park Topeka held on the 2.1 mile configuration. The previous two races were on the shorter 1.8 mile layout.

Cummins 200
The Cummins 200 was held July 31 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Jimmy Hensley won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 2) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 3) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 4) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 5) 53-Mike McLaughlin
 * 6) 61-Randy Tolsma
 * 7) 98-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 8)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 9) 35-Dave Rezendes
 * 10) 17-Rich Bickle

Failed to qualify: 9-Greg Marlowe, 26-Jerry Robertson, 39-Jeff Spraker, 47-Danny Hieber, 58-Chris Horn, 71-Gary St. Amant, 73-Bob Schacht, 77-Eliseo Salazar


 * Jimmy Hensley led the first 200 laps but lost the lead with 2 to go in the green-white-checker.

Stevens Beil/Genuine Parts 200
The Stevens Beil/Genuine Parts 200 was held August 9 at Flemington Speedway. Terry Cook won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 2) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 3) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 4) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 5)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 6)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 7) 52-Mike Wallace
 * 8) 20-Butch Miller
 * 9) 31-Tony Roper
 * 10)  2-Mike Bliss

Failed to qualify: 02-Eric Norris, 06-Billy Pauch, 11-Eddie Johnson, 12-Andy Genzman, 47-Danny Hieber

Federated Auto Parts 300
The Federated Auto Parts 300 was held August 16 at Nashville Speedway USA. Mike Bliss won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 2) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 3) 20-Butch Miller
 * 4) 35-Dave Rezendes
 * 5) 86-Stacy Compton
 * 6) 17-Rich Bickle -1
 * 7) 99-Chuck Bown -1
 * 8) 14-Rick Crawford -1
 * 9)  2-Mike Bliss -1
 * 10)  6-Rick Carelli -1

Failed to qualify: 00-Frank Kimmel, 02-Eric Norris, 4-Bill Sedgwick, 13-Mike Colabucci, 57-Brian Cunningham, 62-Blaise Alexander, 77-Doug George

Parts America 150
The Parts America 150 was held August 24 at Watkins Glen International Raceway. Ron Fellows won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 48-Ron Fellows
 * 2)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 3) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 4) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 5) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 6) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 7) 18-Ted Christopher
 * 8) 63-Rick Johnson
 * 9) 62-Blaise Alexander
 * 10)  6-Rick Carelli

Failed to qualify: 12-Andy Genzman, 26-Doug George, 28-Lou Gigliotti, 54-Jon Leavy, 72-Tammy Jo Kirk, 88-Terry Cook, 90-Lance Norick

Virginia Is For Lovers 200
The Virginia Is For Lovers 200 was held September 4 at Richmond International Raceway. The #16 of Ron Hornaday, Jr. won the pole. Dodge's first win in the Truck Series.

Top ten results


 * 1) 29-Bob Keselowski*
 * 2) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 3)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 4) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 5) 98-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 6) 53-Ken Schrader
 * 7)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 8) 99-Chuck Bown
 * 9) 61-Randy Tolsma
 * 10) 20-Butch Miller

Failed to qualify: 02-Eric Norris, 05-John Blewett, 12-Greg Marlowe, 22-Tom Baldwin, 27-Rob Rizzo, 39-Jeff Spraker, 42-Mike Ewanitsko, 55-Kevin Grubb, 65-Andy Houston, 70-Joe Buford, 75-Kevin Harvick, 81-Philip Morris, 87-Robert Huffman, 88-Terry Cook, 92-Doug George, 93-Dana Dorman


 * This was Bob Keselowski's one and only career victory in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Hanes 250
The Hanes 250 was held September 27 at Martinsville Speedway. Rich Bickle won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 2) 28-Ernie Irvan
 * 3)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 4) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 5) 51-Bobby Hamilton
 * 6) 20-Butch Miller
 * 7)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 8) 98-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 9) 86-Stacy Compton
 * 10) 24-Jack Sprague

Failed to qualify: 03-Kirk Shelmerdine, 11-Ronnie Newman, 22-Tom Baldwin, 25-Andy Genzman, 26-Jerry Robertson, 39-Jeff Spraker, 40-Bill Sedgwick, 41-Randy Renfrow, 42-Mike Ewanitsko, 45-Michael Cohen, 55-Kevin Grubb, 62-Blaise Alexander, 72-Tammy Jo Kirk, 75-Rick Markle, 83-Joe Gaita, 88-Terry Cook, 90-Lance Norick

Kragen/Exide 151
The Kragen/Exide 151 was held October 5 at Sears Point International Raceway. The #55 of Dave Rezendes won the pole.

An incident between Boris Said and Rich Bickle with five laps to go (and subsequent retaliation) caused NASCAR to fine Said $5,000 and put him on probation for the rest of the year. Bickle was also put on probation.

Top ten results


 * 1) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 2) 18-Tom Hubert
 * 3)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 4) 63-Rick Johnson
 * 5) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 6) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 7)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 8) 35-Doug George
 * 9) 46-Joe Bean
 * 10) 86-Stacy Compton

Failed to qualify: 4-Bill Sedgwick, 40-Bo Lemler, 83-Joe Huffaker, 85-Milan Garrett


 * Dave Rezendes was leading the event when he crashed on his own in the Esses with three laps to go.

Dodge California Truckstop 300
The Dodge California Truckstop 300 was held October 12 at Mesa Marin Raceway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 61-Randy Tolsma*
 * 2) 86-Stacy Compton
 * 3)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 4)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 5) 17-Rich Bickle
 * 6) 14-Rick Crawford
 * 7) 52-Mike Wallace
 * 8) 75-Kevin Harvick
 * 9) 43-Jimmy Hensley
 * 10) 24-Jack Sprague

Failed to qualify: none


 * This was Randy Tolsma's first career Craftsman Truck Series victory.

The No Fear Challenge
The No Fear Challenge was held October 18 at California Speedway for the first time. Mike Bliss won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 2) 52-Mike Wallace
 * 3) 98-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 4) 28-Ernie Irvan
 * 5) 61-Randy Tolsma
 * 6) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 7)  1-Michael Waltrip
 * 8) 29-Bob Keselowski
 * 9) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 10) 14-Rick Crawford

Failed to qualify: 9-Ron Esau, 46-Joe Bean, 63-Rick Johnson, 82-Randy Nelson

GM Goodwrench Delco 300
The GM Goodwrench Delco 300 was held November 1 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mike Bliss won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 2) 99-Chuck Bown
 * 3) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 4) 98-Kenny Irwin, Jr.
 * 5)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 6) 52-Mike Wallace
 * 7)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 8) 20-Butch Miller
 * 9) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 10)  2-Mike Bliss

Failed to qualify: 06-Billy Pauch, 27-Kenny Hendrick, 40-Eddie Sharp, 77-Rob Morgan, 82-Randy Nelson, 84-Billy Wilburn, 85-Milan Garrett, 90-Lance Norick

Carquest Auto Parts 420K
The Carquest Auto Parts 420K was held November 9 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jack Sprague won the pole.

Top ten results


 * 1) 80-Joe Ruttman
 * 2) 24-Jack Sprague
 * 3) 16-Ron Hornaday, Jr.
 * 4)  3-Jay Sauter
 * 5)  2-Mike Bliss
 * 6)  6-Rick Carelli
 * 7) 52-Mike Wallace
 * 8) 75-Kevin Harvick
 * 9) 99-Chuck Bown -1
 * 10) 14-Rick Crawford -1

Failed to qualify: 01-Dave Goulet, 02-Rick McCray, 4-Tim Buckley, 11-Brett Bodine, 12-Tony Toste, 15-Rob Morgan, 18-Kevin Cywinski, 22-Kenny Hendrick, 23-T. J. Clark, 26-Perry Tripp, 27-Tammy Jo Kirk, 36-Jerry Robertson, 40-Eddie Sharp, 46-Joe Bean, 58-Wayne Jacks, 60-Tobey Butler, 65-Andy Houston, 69-Jimmy Davis, 82-Randy Nelson, 84-Billy Wilburn, 85-Milan Garrett, 88-Terry Cook

Final points standings
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Rookie of the Year
Former sprint car driver Kenny Irwin, Jr., driving the #98 for Liberty Racing, took home Rookie of the Year honors in 1997, winning two of the first nine races of the season, and finishing tenth in points. Runner-up was Rick Crawford, who had made his debut in a major NASCAR series that season and posted ten top-tens, while Stacy Compton finished 92 points behind him in the new Impact Motorsports ride. Tony Raines finished 15th in points and picked up a win as well, while Tony Roper had two top-tens, and Tammy Jo Kirk became the first female to make a start in the series. The rest of the candidates only made part-time bids at the award, the most notable being Rob Rizzo, who had one top-ten finish.