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The1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 49th season ofprofessionalstock car racing in the United States and the 26th modern-era NASCAR Cup series. It began on February 9 and ended on November 16.Jeff Gordon ofHendrick Motorsports won his second Cup championship at the end of the season.

The Busch Clash, a race for pole winners from the previous season, and drivers who have won the event before was run on February 9 inDaytona Beach, Florida.Terry Labonte drew the pole. The race was broadcast onCBS.

Top ten results

1. #24 -Jeff Gordon
2. #2 -Rusty Wallace
3. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
4. #22 -Ward Burton
5. #28 -Ernie Irvan
6. #6 -Mark Martin
7. #88 -Dale Jarrett
8. #25 -Ricky Craven
9. #30 -Johnny Benson
10. #37 -Jeremy Mayfield

The Gatorade Twin 125s were run on February 13 inDaytona Beach, Florida.Mike Skinner andSteve Grissom were the pole sitters for races one and two, respectively. The races were broadcast tape-delayed onCBS just prior to the Daytona 500.

Race one results

1. #88 -Dale Jarrett
2. #31 -Mike Skinner
3. #28 -Ernie Irvan
4. #23 -Jimmy Spencer
5. #4 -Sterling Marlin
6. #6 -Mark Martin
7. #10 -Ricky Rudd
8. #18 -Bobby Labonte
9. #22 -Ward Burton
10. #29 -Robert Pressley

Race two results

1. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
2. #24 -Jeff Gordon
3. #94 -Bill Elliott
4. #33 -Ken Schrader
5. #21 -Michael Waltrip
6. #2 -Rusty Wallace
7. #30 -Johnny Benson
8. #5 -Terry Labonte
9. #40 -Robby Gordon
10. #17 -Darrell Waltrip

The1997 Daytona 500 was run on February 16 atDaytona International Speedway.Mike Skinner won the pole. The race ended under caution after a big crash with five laps remaining involved several cars. The race was broadcast onCBS.

1. #24 -Jeff Gordon
2. #5 -Terry Labonte
3. #25 -Ricky Craven
4. #94 -Bill Elliott
5. #4 -Sterling Marlin
6. #37 -Jeremy Mayfield
7. #6 -Mark Martin
8. #22 -Ward Burton
9. #10 -Ricky Rudd
10. #17 -Darrell Waltrip

Failed to qualify: #91 -Mike Wallace, #95 -Gary Bradberry, #78 -Billy Standridge, #15 -Larry Pearson, #42 -Joe Nemechek, #97 -Chad Little, #75 -Rick Mast, #96 -David Green, #0 -Delma Cowart, #84 -Norm Benning.

• Robert Pressley's car caught air after he spun on lap 10. The rear of the car lifted so much, the car was temporarily sliding across the track on its nose. Afterthe crew repaired the car,Todd Bodine drove the car to complete more laps.
• Joe Nemechek'scar ownerFelix Sabates bought the #73 entry ofPhil Barkdoll, who had qualified 38th. Nemechek drove Barkdoll's #73 for the 500.
• Dale Earnhardt rolled his#3Chevrolet in a crash withErnie Irvan while in a four-way battle for the lead with 12 laps to go. In the crash, the hood of Irvan's car flew into the backstretch grandstand, injuring some fans. Earnhardt famously noticed that his tires were still on the car after the roll, had his car taken off the hook, and drove it back to pit road. The car was repaired and Earnhardt finished the race in 31st, 5 laps down.
• At 25 years old, Jeff Gordon became the youngestDaytona 500 winner ever untilTrevor Bayne in2011.
• Hendrick Motorsports posted a 1-2-3 finish with Gordon winning the race,Terry Labonte finishing second, andRicky Craven finishing in third.

TheGoodwrench Service 400 was run on February 23 atNorth Carolina Speedway.Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast onTNN.

Top ten results

1. #24 -Jeff Gordon
2. #88 -Dale Jarrett
3. #99 -Jeff Burton
4. #10 -Ricky Rudd
5. #25 -Ricky Craven
6. #2 -Rusty Wallace
7. #5 -Terry Labonte
8. #7 -Geoff Bodine
9. #28 -Ernie Irvan
10. #1 -Morgan Shepherd

Failed to qualify: #97 -Chad Little, #78 -Billy Standridge, #91 -Mike Wallace, #95 -Gary Bradberry

ThePontiac Excitement 400 was held March 2 atRichmond International Raceway.Terry Labonte won the pole. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. #2 -Rusty Wallace*
2. #7 -Geoff Bodine
3. #88 -Dale Jarrett
4. #24 -Jeff Gordon (-1)
5. #43 -Bobby Hamilton (-1)
6. #10 -Ricky Rudd (-1)
7. #5 -Terry Labonte (-1)
8. #18 -Bobby Labonte (-1)
9. #30 -Johnny Benson (-1)
10. #44 -Kyle Petty (-2)

Failed to qualify: #78 -Billy Standridge, #20 -Greg Sacks, #91 -Mike Wallace

• During the post-race inspection,Rusty Wallace's engine failed to meet the proper 14:1 compression ratio. Due to this, NASCAR suspended Wallace's victory and confiscated his car's motor. After conducting another test the following day, the cooler temperature engine met the required compression ratio. As a result, Wallace's victory was certified official.
• Only 3 cars finished on the lead lap in this race.
• This was the lastWinston Cup race atRichmond International Raceway scheduled for the daytime (excluding rain-delayed races) until 2016, and the last Richmond race to be held in March.

The Primestar 500 was run on March 9 atAtlanta Motor Speedway inHampton, Georgia.Robby Gordon won the pole. The race was broadcast onABC.

Top ten results

1. #88 -Dale Jarrett
2. #28 -Ernie Irvan
3. #1 -Morgan Shepherd
4. #18 -Bobby Labonte
5. #99 -Jeff Burton
6. #6 -Mark Martin
7. #21 -Michael Waltrip
8. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
9. #5 -Terry Labonte
10. #43 -Bobby Hamilton

Failed to qualify: #29 -Robert Pressley, #36 -Derrike Cope, #46 -Wally Dallenbach Jr., #71 -Dave Marcis, #77 -Bobby Hillin Jr., #95 -Ed Berrier, #08 -Mike Miller

• This was the final race held on the 1.522-mile (2.449 km) configuration ofAtlanta Motor Speedway. Renovations had already started that would turn the racetrack into a 1.54-mile (2.48 km) quad-oval.
• This race was red-flagged on lap 282 due to a crash involvingSteve Grissom, in which Grissom spun to avoid another wreck and hit the inside wall with enough force to obliterate the back end of his car, and break the wall. The force of the impact sheared the fuel cell out of the car, sending it flying across the track, and spilling fuel. The spilled fuel later ignited, causing a significant fire. Grissom was not seriously injured.

TheTranSouth Financial 400 was held March 23 atDarlington Raceway.Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. #88 -Dale Jarrett
2. #16 -Ted Musgrave
3. #24 -Jeff Gordon
4. #99 -Jeff Burton
5. #18 -Bobby Labonte
6. #2 -Rusty Wallace
7. #21 -Michael Waltrip
8. #33 -Ken Schrader
9. #7 -Geoff Bodine
10. #30 -Johnny Benson

Failed to qualify: #41 -Steve Grissom, #78 -Billy Standridge, #90 -Dick Trickle

• Phil Parsons substituted forJoe Nemechek, who was with family after his younger brotherJohn's death. This was Parsons' final career Cup Series start.
• This would be the last Darlington race to be won from the pole until April 2014.

The inauguralInterstate Batteries 500 was held April 6 atTexas Motor Speedway.Dale Jarrett won the pole. This was the first race held at the track and the first NASCAR race in the state of Texas since 1981. The race was broadcast onCBS.

Top ten results

1. #99 -Jeff Burton*
2. #88 -Dale Jarrett
3. #18 -Bobby Labonte
4. #5 -Terry Labonte
5. #10 -Ricky Rudd
6. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
7. #22 -Ward Burton
8. #4 -Sterling Marlin
9. #21 -Michael Waltrip
10. #41 -Steve Grissom

Failed to qualify: #19 -Gary Bradberry, #27 -Rick Wilson, #29 -Robert Pressley, 46 -Wally Dallenbach Jr., 66 -H. B. Bailey, 74 -Randy LaJoie, 95 -Ed Berrier, 96 -David Green, 02 -Mike Bliss

• This wasJeff Burton's first careerWinston Cup victory.
• On the first lap of the race, 15 cars were involved in a multi-car accident in turns 1 and 2.Dale Earnhardt was involved in the incident, but was able to continue.
• On lap 162, an 8-car crash on the tri-oval began whenMike Skinner,Brett Bodine andSterling Marlin spun into the infield coming off turn 4, andRusty Wallace struck the outside wall after getting into some oil. Later,Ernie Irvan rear-endedGreg Sacks at over 140 mph while trying to race leaderTerry Labonte back to the flag to get his lap back and hit the outside wall.Jeff Gordon ran into the back of Irvan trying to avoid Sacks.
• Ricky Craven suffered a concussion in a practice crash and was forced to sit out. This was the beginning of a series of injuries that adversely affected Craven's career over the next 4 years.Todd Bodine subbed for Craven in this race and ran well until he crashed out of the lead.

TheFood City 500 was held on April 13 atBristol Motor Speedway.Rusty Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. #24 -Jeff Gordon*
2. #2 -Rusty Wallace
3. #5 -Terry Labonte
4. #88 -Dale Jarrett
5. #6 -Mark Martin
6. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
7. #94 -Bill Elliott
8. #97 -Chad Little
9. #37 -Jeremy Mayfield
10. #11 -Brett Bodine

Failed to qualify: #20 -Greg Sacks, #77 -Bobby Hillin Jr., #78 -Billy Standridge, #91 -Mike Wallace

• This race had 20 cautions for 132 laps, which tied the record for most cautions with the 1989 spring event at Bristol.
• On the last lap,Jeff Gordon bumpedRusty Wallace out of the way in Turn 4 to win the race. Wallace barely was able to hold offTerry Labonte for 2nd.
• Jack Sprague subbed for Ricky Craven in this race due to Craven's injury at Texas last weekend.

TheGoody's Headache Powder 500 was held April 20 atMartinsville Speedway.Kenny Wallace won the pole. It wasFILMAR Racing's first career pole of the season. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. #24 -Jeff Gordon*
2. #43 -Bobby Hamilton
3. #6 -Mark Martin
4. #5 -Terry Labonte
5. #2 -Rusty Wallace
6. #81 -Kenny Wallace
7. #37 -Jeremy Mayfield
8. #18 -Bobby Labonte
9. #17 -Darrell Waltrip
10. #33 -Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: #19 -Gary Bradberry, #20 -Lance Hooper, #78 -Billy Standridge, #79 -Randy MacDonald, #96 -David Green

• WinnerJeff Gordon was spun out at one point of the race byJimmy Spencer but was able to recover from the spin to win the race.
• Ricky Craven returned to the #25Chevrolet after missing 2 races. He finished 22nd, 2 laps down.
• Jeff Gordon led 431 of the 500 laps in this race, the most laps he has led in a single race in his career.

TheSave Mart Supermarkets 300 was held May 4 atSears Point Raceway.Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. #6 -Mark Martin*
2. #24 -Jeff Gordon
3. #5 -Terry Labonte
4. #88 -Dale Jarrett
5. #17 -Darrell Waltrip
6. #11 -Brett Bodine
7. #21 -Michael Waltrip
8. #28 -Ernie Irvan
9. #99 -Jeff Burton
10. #22 -Ward Burton

Failed to qualify: #29 -Robert Pressley, #42 -Joe Nemechek, #45 -Gary Smith, #75 -Rick Mast, #78w -Chuck Pruitt, #90 -Dick Trickle, #96 -David Green, #97 -Chad Little, #09 -R. K. Smith

• This was Martin's first Cup Series victory since October 1995, breaking a 42-race winless streak.
• Melling Racing technically did not make the trip to Sears Point due to a lack of funding. However, they allowedJeff Davis'Winston West Series team to use the #9 on theirFord so that the Melling team could get the owners' points. Davis ended up crashing out of the race, finishing 37th.
• This was the last race for theWinston Cup Series on the 2.52-mile (4.06 km) configuration atSears Point Raceway until 2019. After this event, a purpose-built section was added for the NASCAR weekend.
• AfterDavid Green failed to qualify,Caterpillar put their logos on the #35Ford was driven byLarry Gunselman, one of theWinston West teams. Gunselman started the race, but Green did get in the car and drive at one point.
• The #19Child Support RecoveryFord forTri-Star Motorsports that was driven byGary Bradberry in the race was actually qualified byKen Pedersen, a driver inWinston West at the time.
• The #78Ford forTriad Motorsports tappedTom Hubert, a crew member forBahari Racing, to qualify the #78 in 2nd round qualifying. When Hubert (who had some road racing experience in other classes) qualified fast enough to earn the 27th starting spot in the race, Hubert was put in the car for the race to temporarily replace the team's regular driver,Billy Standridge.
• This was the final Sears Point race to be held in May, as race would be moved to the last Sunday in June, where it would remain through 2019.
• Geoff Bodine Racing's sponsor;QVC, ran a promotion in which a lucky fan would get their name and face onGeoff Bodine's #7 QVCFord, with the winner beingMississippi native Dawn Gillis. Bodine would finish in last place.

TheWinston 500 atTalladega Superspeedway was originally scheduled for Sunday, April 27, but rain forced the race to be postponed. Teams returned on Saturday, May 10 (Mother's Day weekend).

John Andretti started from the pole position. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. #6 -Mark Martin*
2. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
3. #18 -Bobby Labonte
4. #98 -John Andretti
5. #24 -Jeff Gordon
6. #5 -Terry Labonte
7. #23 -Jimmy Spencer
8. #99 -Jeff Burton
9. #30 -Johnny Benson
10. #28 -Ernie Irvan

Failed to qualify: #19 -Gary Bradberry, #42 -Joe Nemechek*, #73 -Phil Barkdoll, #78 -Billy Standridge, #91 -Mike Wallace, #95 -Ed Berrier

• The race was run caution-free, the first time in Talladega history. It also stands as the fastest 500-mile (800 km) race in NASCAR history, with an average speed of 188.354 mph (303.126 km/h).
• Joe Nemechek drove the #40Chevrolet in place ofRobby Gordon during this race since Gordon was in Indianapolis forIndianapolis 500 Pole Day, attempting to do the Indy-Charlotte double in 1997. Nemechek finished 19th, 1 lap down in Gordon's car.
• This was the last race for the #20Ford forRanier-Walsh Racing. The acquisition of their sponsorHardee's byCKE Restaurants resulted in the company pulling sponsorship of the team. Without sponsorship, the team shut its doors.
• Final time in his career thatMark Martin would win back-to-back races.

TheWinston Open was held beforeThe Winston All-Star Race on May 17 atCharlotte Motor Speedway as a last chance qualifier race for the cars that had not won a race yet in 1997 or late 1996 and was not a past champion.Chad Little won the pole. The winner of this race would qualify to be in The Winston All-Star Race.

Top ten results

1. #25 -Ricky Craven
2. #41 -Steve Grissom
3. #9 -Lake Speed
4. #97 -Chad Little
5. #8 -Hut Stricklin
6. #46 -Wally Dallenbach Jr.
7. #30 -Johnny Benson
8. #33 -Ken Schrader
9. #98 -John Andretti
10. #31 -Mike Skinner

The Winston is the All-Star Race for theNASCARWinston Cup Series held at theCharlotte Motor Speedway on May 17 after theWinston Open Race. Drivers have to qualify; Win a race since last yearThe Winston race, Win theWinston Open qualifier race, or Win one ofThe Winston All-Star Races from the past 5 years. This race was run in 3 segments with 2 30 lap segments and a 10 lap shootout segment for a total of 70 laps.Bill Elliott won the pole.Dale Jarrett won the first segment andBobby Labonte won the second segment. The race was broadcast onTNN.

Top ten final segment results

1. #24 -Jeff Gordon
2. #18 -Bobby Labonte
3. #5 -Terry Labonte
4. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
5. #23 -Jimmy Spencer
6. #6 -Mark Martin
7. #88 -Dale Jarrett
8. #25 -Ricky Craven
9. #10 -Ricky Rudd
10. #94 -Bill Elliott

• The only caution came on the 3rd lap of the first segment when Bobby Labonte spun coming off turn 4.
• Gordon started 19th because of a problem during his qualifying run.
• After the first segment was completed, the finishing order would be inverted for the start of the 2nd segment. The finishing order of the 2nd segment determined how the field would line up for the final segment. Caution laps counted in the first two 30-lap stages; however, only green flag laps were recorded in the final 10-lap stage.
• Speedvision carried a special live in-car simulcast of this race.
• During the prerace activities for The Winston,Indy Racing League driverTony Stewart, who had qualified 2nd for theIndianapolis 500, drove several laps around the track in his IndyCar to promote the IRL race to be held at Charlotte two months later.

TheCoca-Cola 600 was held May 25 atCharlotte Motor Speedway.Jeff Gordon won the pole. The race was shortened to 333 laps due to time issues after a long rain delay; it was after 1:00 am EDT when the race was completed. The race was broadcast onTBS.

Top ten results

1. #24 -Jeff Gordon
2. #2 -Rusty Wallace
3. #6 -Mark Martin
4. #94 -Bill Elliott
5. #99 -Jeff Burton
6. #18 -Bobby Labonte
7. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
8. #5 -Terry Labonte
9. #1 -Morgan Shepherd
10. #10 -Ricky Rudd

Failed to qualify: #71 -Dave Marcis, #77 -Bobby Hillin Jr., #91 -Mike Wallace, #95 -Ed Berrier, #97 -Chad Little

• Geoff Bodine suffered a concussion in a practice crash on the Wednesday. As a result, Geoff tapped his younger brotherTodd to drive his #7Ford in the race. However, the engine blew after Todd had made a run up through the field, leaving him with a 42nd-place finish.
• This was the final race for flagmanDoyle Ford, who had spent 38 years as a NASCAR official.

TheMiller 500 was held June 1 atDover Downs International Speedway.Bobby Labonte won the pole. The race was broadcast onTNN.

Top ten results

1. #10 -Ricky Rudd
2. #6 -Mark Martin
3. #99 -Jeff Burton
4. #37 -Jeremy Mayfield
5. #44 -Kyle Petty
6. #33 -Ken Schrader
7. #21 -Michael Waltrip
8. #94 -Bill Elliott
9. #31 -Mike Skinner
10. #4 -Sterling Marlin

Failed to qualify: #78 -Billy Standridge, #95 -Ed Berrier

• This was the last 500-mile (800 km) race held at Dover.
• Wally Dallenbach Jr. droveRobby Gordon's #40 Chevy for this race, as Gordon suffered severe burns to he legs in a bizarre incident in the Indianapolis 500, forcing him to sit out for a couple of weeks. Dallenbach finishing 36th.
• Three different leaders had problems in the last 50 miles of the race. Second-placeJeff Gordon hit the back of leaderDale Jarrett while trying to avoid a spinningKenny Wallace on lap 452, causing radiator damage that forced Gordon behind the wall for repairs, eventually finishing 26th. Jarrett retook the lead after the caution, but blew an engine 5 laps after the restart, finishing 32nd. Jarrett's teammateErnie Irvan inherited the lead and led the following 9 laps, but crashed on lap 472 after hitting rear end grease fromChad Little's car. Irvan finished 30th. That gave the lead to Rudd, who held it the final 27 laps to win.

ThePocono 500 was held June 8 atPocono Raceway.Bobby Hamilton won the pole. The race was broadcast onTNN.

Top ten results

1. #24 -Jeff Gordon
2. #99 -Jeff Burton
3. #88 -Dale Jarrett
4. #6 -Mark Martin
5. #37 -Jeremy Mayfield
6. #16 -Ted Musgrave
7. #17 -Darrell Waltrip
8. #7 -Geoff Bodine
9. #5 -Terry Labonte
10. #3 -Dale Earnhardt

Failed to qualify: #97 -Chad Little, #78 -Billy Standridge, #71 -Dave Marcis

• Greg Sacks was tapped to sub forRobby Gordon in the #40 starting here at Pocono. He qualified 4th but spun into the wall coming out of Turn 1 on Lap 9 immediately in front ofJeff Gordon.

TheMiller 400 was held June 15 atMichigan Speedway.Dale Jarrett won the pole. The race was broadcast onCBS.

Top ten results

1. #28 -Ernie Irvan*
2. #94 -Bill Elliott
3. #6 -Mark Martin
4. #16 -Ted Musgrave
5. #24 -Jeff Gordon
6. #88 -Dale Jarrett
7. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
8. #36 -Derrike Cope
9. #18 -Bobby Labonte
10. #30 -Johnny Benson

Failed to qualify: #1 -Morgan Shepherd, #19 -Gary Bradberry, #20 -Greg Sacks, #91 -Mike Wallace, #95 -Ed Berrier

• This wasErnie Irvan's 15th and finalWinston Cup victory, coming at the same track where he had almost lost his life three years earlier. He had tears in his eyes as he drove into Victory Lane. This victory also came in his last year with Robert Yates Racing.
• This was the 1st careerWinston Cup start forJerry Nadeau in the #1Pontiac forPrecision Products Racing. He replacedMorgan Shepherd in the car.
• This would be the finalCBS race to haveKen Squier as lap-by-lap announcer. Starting with theDieHard 500 in October, all future CBS races would haveMike Joy as the lap-by-lap announcer while Squier was transferred to serving as the studio host.

The inauguralCalifornia 500 presented by NAPA was held on June 22 atCalifornia Speedway.Joe Nemechek won the pole. The race was broadcast onABC.

Top ten results

1. #24 -Jeff Gordon
2. #5 -Terry Labonte
3. #10 -Ricky Rudd
4. #16 -Ted Musgrave
5. #23 -Jimmy Spencer
6. #18 -Bobby Labonte
7. #29 -Jeff Green
8. #88 -Dale Jarrett
9. #25 -Ricky Craven
10. #6 -Mark Martin

Failed to qualify: #78 -Billy Standridge, #81 -Kenny Wallace, #91 -Mike Wallace*

• AfterMike Wallace failed to qualify for the race, his team hastily entered the 200-mile (320 km)Winston West race which was run the day before theWinston Cup race. He finished 3rd toKen Schrader in that race.
• Mark Martin ran out of gas with 10 laps to go and was forced to the pits for additional fuel. However, they did not get enough fuel in the car. This resulted in Martin running out of gas again on the last lap and having to coast to the line.
• This was the only Cup race at California Speedway to be held in June. The following year, the race moved to the first week of May, swapping dates withSears Point Raceway.

ThePepsi 400 was held on July 5 atDaytona International Speedway.Mike Skinner won the pole. The race was broadcast onESPN for the last time.

Top ten results

1. #98 -John Andretti*
2. #5 -Terry Labonte
3. #4 -Sterling Marlin
4. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
5. #88 -Dale Jarrett
6. #2 -Rusty Wallace
7. #44 -Kyle Petty
8. #99 -Jeff Burton
9. #28 -Ernie Irvan
10. #18 -Bobby Labonte

Failed to qualify: #7 -Geoff Bodine, #29 -Jeff Green, #91 -Loy Allen Jr.

• This wasJohn Andretti's first career Cup Series victory, and the only Cup Series victory forCale Yarborough as a car owner.
• This was the last non-delayed Daytona summer race scheduled to run during the day.
• The race ended with a 1 lap shootout, likely the last such shootout in theWinston Cup Series.

TheJiffy Lube 300 was held July 13 atNew Hampshire International Speedway.Ken Schrader won the pole. The race was broadcast onTNN.

Top ten results

1. #99 -Jeff Burton
2. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
3. #2 -Rusty Wallace
4. #41 -Steve Grissom
5. #6 -Mark Martin
6. #94 -Bill Elliott
7. #5 -Terry Labonte
8. #28 -Ernie Irvan
9. #10 -Ricky Rudd
10. #7 -Geoff Bodine

Failed to qualify: #78 -Billy Standridge

• Jeff Gordon finished 2 laps down in 23rd, losing the points lead toTerry Labonte, who finished 7th.

ThePennsylvania 500 was held July 20 atPocono Raceway.Joe Nemechek won the pole. The race was broadcast onTBS.

Top ten results

1. #88 -Dale Jarrett
2. #24 -Jeff Gordon*
3. #99 -Jeff Burton
4. #16 -Ted Musgrave
5. #6 -Mark Martin
6. #31 -Mike Skinner
7. #23 -Jimmy Spencer
8. #44 -Kyle Petty
9. #37 -Jeremy Mayfield
10. #94 -Bill Elliott

Failed to Qualify: #78 -Bobby Hillin Jr., #14 -Steve Park, #20 -Greg Sacks

• Gordon's 2nd-place finish allowed him to retake the points lead fromTerry Labonte, who finished 35th.

TheBrickyard 400 was held August 3 atIndianapolis Motor Speedway.Ernie Irvan won the pole. The race was broadcast onABC.

Top ten results

1. #10 -Ricky Rudd*
2. #18 -Bobby Labonte
3. #88 -Dale Jarrett
4. #24 -Jeff Gordon
5. #37 -Jeremy Mayfield
6. #6 -Mark Martin
7. #30 -Johnny Benson
8. #94 -Bill Elliott
9. #31 -Mike Skinner
10. #28 -Ernie Irvan

Failed to qualify: #1 -Mike Wallace, #7 -Geoff Bodine, #8 -Hut Stricklin, #61 -Tim Steele, #71 -Dave Marcis, #77 -Morgan Shepherd, #78 -Bobby Hillin Jr., #90 -Dick Trickle

• First time since 1987 that Ricky Rudd won multiple races in a season.

The Bud at The Glen was held August 10 atWatkins Glen International.Todd Bodine won the pole. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. #24 -Jeff Gordon*
2. #7 -Geoff Bodine
3. #2 -Rusty Wallace
4. #40 -Robby Gordon
5. #6 -Mark Martin
6. #16 -Ted Musgrave
7. #94 -Bill Elliott
8. #5 -Terry Labonte
9. #41 -Steve Grissom
10. #46 -Wally Dallenbach Jr.

Failed to qualify: #78 -Bobby Hillin Jr., #77 -Morgan Shepherd, #71 -Dave Marcis

• This wasJeff Gordon's 1st career victory on a road course, beginning a streak of 6 consecutive road course wins that lasted until 2000.
• Steve Park made his Cup Series debut in this race, driving the #14Chevrolet forDale Earnhardt Inc.. Park qualified 12th and finished 2 laps down in 33rd.

TheDeVilbiss 400 was held August 17 atMichigan Speedway.Johnny Benson won the pole. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. #6 -Mark Martin
2. #24 -Jeff Gordon
3. #16 -Ted Musgrave
4. #28 -Ernie Irvan
5. #88 -Dale Jarrett
6. #18 -Bobby Labonte
7. #94 -Bill Elliott
8. #99 -Jeff Burton
9. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
10. #5 -Terry Labonte

Failed to qualify: #71 -Dave Marcis

• Mark Martin won after suffering blown left rear tire that put him 2 laps down.
• Roush Racing drivers dominated the day leading 177 of 200 laps.

TheGoody's Headache Powder 500 was held August 23 atBristol Motor Speedway.Kenny Wallace won the pole. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. #88 -Dale Jarrett
2. #6 -Mark Martin
3. #90 -Dick Trickle
4. #99 -Jeff Burton
5. #41 -Steve Grissom
6. #33 -Ken Schrader
7. #5 -Terry Labonte
8. #18 -Bobby Labonte
9. #7 -Geoff Bodine*
10. #4 -Sterling Marlin

Failed to qualify: #40 -Robby Gordon, #71 -Dave Marcis, #77 -Morgan Shepherd

• Jeff Gordon crashed out of the lead in an incident withJeremy Mayfield on lap 246. Gordon would not recover, eventually retiring from the race and finishing 35th.
• Shortly after the halfway point, Geoff Bodine's crew chiefPat Tryson quit the team, apparently unhappy with the way the team was being managed.

TheMountain Dew Southern 500 was held August 31 atDarlington Raceway.Bobby Labonte won the pole. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. 24 -Jeff Gordon*
2. 99 -Jeff Burton
3. 88 -Dale Jarrett
4. 94 -Bill Elliott
5. 10 -Ricky Rudd
6. 5 -Terry Labonte
7. 18 -Bobby Labonte
8. 6 -Mark Martin
9. 21 -Michael Waltrip
10. 33 -Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: #71 -Dave Marcis, #77 -Morgan Shepherd, #91 -Greg Sacks

• Jeff Gordon's victory made him the 2nd and final driver, joiningBill Elliott, to win theWinston Million. Ironically, the 2 drivers that won the Winston Million won it in the very first running in 1985, and in the very last running in 1997. The program was replaced the following season in 1998 with theNo Bull 5 program, which offered five drivers (that finished in the Top 5 of the last No Bull 5 race) the chance to win 1 million dollars.
• After crashing out at Bristol, Gordon retook the points lead after winning this race, and would hold it for the rest of the season.
• Dale Earnhardt mysteriously blacked out during the pace laps for the race and hit the wall, resulting in Earnhardt stepping out of the car for the day. After repairs,Busch Series driverMike Dillon was tapped to sub in the #3. Dillon drove the car to a 30th-place finish, 85 laps down. The cause of Earnhardt's blackouts was never determined.

TheExide NASCAR Select Batteries 400 was held September 6 atRichmond International Raceway.Bill Elliott won the pole. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. #88 -Dale Jarrett
2. #99 -Jeff Burton
3. #24 -Jeff Gordon
4. #7 -Geoff Bodine
5. #2 -Rusty Wallace
6. #42 -Joe Nemechek
7. #22 -Ward Burton
8. #27 -Kenny Irwin Jr.*
9. #16 -Ted Musgrave
10. #37 -Jeremy Mayfield

Failed to qualify: #71 -Dave Marcis, #02 -Mike Bliss, #91 -Ron Hornaday Jr., #78 -Gary Bradberry, #77 -Morgan Shepherd

• This wasKenny Irwin Jr.'s first careerWinston Cup start, qualifying 2nd and finishing 8th.

TheCMT 300 was held September 14 atNew Hampshire International Speedway.Ken Schrader won the pole. The race was broadcast onTNN.

Top ten results

1. #24 -Jeff Gordon*
2. #28 -Ernie Irvan
3. #43 -Bobby Hamilton
4. #41 -Steve Grissom
5. #25 -Ricky Craven
6. #88 -Dale Jarrett
7. #23 -Jimmy Spencer
8. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
9. #6 -Mark Martin
10. #8 -Hut Stricklin

Failed to qualify: #1 -Lance Hooper, #14 -Steve Park, #91 -Kevin Lepage

• This was the first September race held atNew Hampshire International Speedway. The race date was acquired as part of the purchase ofNorth Wilkesboro Speedway in 1996 that resulted in its dates being split.
• Jeff Burton had an inner ear problem and required relief fromTodd Bodine.
• 10th and final win of 1997 for Jeff Gordon.
• Jeff Gordon became the 1st driver sinceDarrell Waltrip in 1981 & 1982 to score at least 10 victories in back-to-back seasons.

TheMBNA 400 was held September 21 atDover Downs International Speedway.Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast onTNN.

Top ten results

1. #6 -Mark Martin*
2. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
3. #44 -Kyle Petty*
4. #18 -Bobby Labonte
5. #88 -Dale Jarrett
6. #10 -Ricky Rudd
7. #24 -Jeff Gordon
8. #94 -Bill Elliott
9. #28 -Ernie Irvan
10. #75 -Rick Mast

Failed to qualify: #14 -Steve Park

• This was the first 400-mile (640 km) race at Dover.
• Mark Martin andKyle Petty dominated this race, with Martin leading 194 laps and Petty leading 191. This would also be Petty's last top 5 finish until the2007 Coca-Cola 600.

TheHanes 500 was held September 29 atMartinsville Speedway.Ward Burton won the pole. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. #99 -Jeff Burton*
2. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
3. #43 -Bobby Hamilton
4. #24 -Jeff Gordon
5. #94 -Bill Elliott
6. #81 -Kenny Wallace
7. #22 -Ward Burton
8. #25 -Ricky Craven
9. #33 -Ken Schrader
10. #28 -Ernie Irvan

Failed to qualify: #78 - [{Gary Bradberry]], #1 -Morgan Shepherd, #71 -Dave Marcis

• Jeff Burton inherited the lead after leaderRusty Wallace jumped a restart and was black-flagged as a result.
• Steve Park drove the #40Chevrolet in place ofRobby Gordon, who was subbing forDario Franchitti in theCART race atCalifornia Speedway. Park blew an engine early and finished 41st.

TheUAW-GM Quality 500 was held October 5 atCharlotte Motor Speedway.Geoff Bodine won the pole. The race was broadcast onTBS.

Top ten results

1. #88 -Dale Jarrett
2. #18 -Bobby Labonte
3. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
4. #6 -Mark Martin
5. #24 -Jeff Gordon
6. #99 -Jeff Burton
7. #94 -Bill Elliott
8. #22 -Ward Burton
9. #44 -Kyle Petty
10. #30 -Johnny Benson

Failed to qualify: #14 -Steve Park, #15 -Greg Sacks, #17 -Darrell Waltrip*, #31 -Mike Skinner, #40 -Elliott Sadler, #71 -Dave Marcis, #75 -Rick Mast

• Darrell Waltrip failed to qualify becauseTerry Labonte, who was higher in points, used the past champion's provisional. This was Waltrip's first DNQ since 1974.^[1]
• This wasRick Wilson's final Cup start. He would finish 3 laps down in 19th.
• This was the first career start forKevin Lepage in the #91Chevrolet. He would crash out and finish 40th.
• Early in the race, there was an unusual water seepage problem on the backstretch. This resulted in the track near the outside wall in the middle of the backstretch being wet to the point where cars were kicking up spray. This did not cause any problems, however.
• This was the first race forISM Racing's #35Pontiac withTodd Bodine as the driver. Bodine finished 4 laps down in 26th.

TheDieHard 500 was held October 12 atTalladega Superspeedway.Ernie Irvan won the pole. The race was broadcast onCBS.

Top ten results

1. #5 -Terry Labonte*
2. #18 -Bobby Labonte
3. #98 -John Andretti
4. #33 -Ken Schrader
5. #28 -Ernie Irvan
6. #25 -Ricky Craven
7. #44 -Kyle Petty
8. #7 -Geoff Bodine
9. #75 -Rick Mast
10. #2 -Rusty Wallace

Failed to qualify: #8 -Hut Stricklin, #22 -Ward Burton, #29 -Jeff Green, #78 -Gary Bradberry, #95 -Ed Berrier

• The top-5 finishers of this (T. Labonte, B. Labonte, Andretti, Schrader, Irvan) became the first drivers eligible for theWinston No Bull 5 million dollar bonus for next season, meaning that if any of them were to win the1998 Daytona 500, they would receive an extra $1 million.
• By winning this race,Terry Labonte became only the secondChevrolet driver to win a race in 1997.Jeff Gordon had all of the other wins for Chevrolet in 1997.
• This was the last Talladega race to be broadcast byCBS.
• This would be the firstCBS race forMike Joy as the lap-by-lap broadcaster.

TheAC Delco 400 was originally scheduled to be run on Sunday, October 26 but heavy rain postponed the race to Monday, October 27 atNorth Carolina Speedway.Bobby Labonte won the pole. The race was broadcast on TNN.

Top ten results

1. #43 -Bobby Hamilton
2. #88 -Dale Jarrett
3. #25 -Ricky Craven
4. #24 -Jeff Gordon
5. #90 -Dick Trickle
6. #6 -Mark Martin
7. #5 -Terry Labonte
8. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
9. #4 -Sterling Marlin
10. #42 -Joe Nemechek

Failed to qualify: #11 -Brett Bodine, #71 -Dave Marcis

TheDura Lube 500 presented by Kmart was held November 2 atPhoenix International Raceway.Bobby Hamilton won the pole. The race was broadcast onTNN.

Top ten results

1. #88 -Dale Jarrett*
2. #2 -Rusty Wallace
3. #43 -Bobby Hamilton
4. #33 -Ken Schrader
5. #3 -Dale Earnhardt
6. #6 -Mark Martin
7. #30 -Johnny Benson
8. #41 -Steve Grissom
9. #44 -Kyle Petty
10. #7 -Geoff Bodine

Failed to qualify: #1 -Morgan Shepherd

• This was the final Cup Series victory for theFord Thunderbird, as Ford would switch to theTaurus in 1998.

The 1997 championship season finale was theNAPA 500 held November 16 atAtlanta Motor Speedway.Geoff Bodine won the pole at a speed of 197.478 mph (317.810 km/h), which at the time was the fastest qualifying lap ever run outside of Daytona and Talladega. The race was broadcast onESPN.

Top ten results

1. #18 -Bobby Labonte*
2. #88 -Dale Jarrett*
3. #6 -Mark Martin*
4. #29 -Jeff Green
5. #36 -Derrike Cope
6. #44 -Kyle Petty
7. #43 -Bobby Hamilton
8. #42 -Joe Nemechek
9. #22 -Ward Burton
10. #30 -Johnny Benson

Failed to qualify: #8 -Hut Stricklin, #35 -Todd Bodine, #40 -Greg Sacks, #71 -Dave Marcis, #77 -Robert Pressley, #95 -Ed Berrier, #96 -David Green

• Jeff Gordon entered the race 77-points ahead ofDale Jarrett and 88-points ahead ofMark Martin. Gordon had to finish 18th or better to clinch the championship.
• During a practice session on Saturday, Gordon was driving down the pit lane, scrubbing his tires to heat them up on what was a cold morning. Gordon lost control and crashed intoBobby Hamilton's parked car. Gordon had to go to a backup car, and qualified all the way back in 37th.
• Despite Jarrett and Martin finishing 2nd and 3rd while Gordon finished 17th, Gordon ultimately hung on and won the championship by only 14 points over Jarrett and 29 points over Martin, the closest three-way points finish under the Bob Latford 1975 points system.
• This wasJoe Gibbs Racing's only victory of 1997, and their first since switching from Chevrolet toPontiac.
• During the summer, the track had been reconfigured from a traditional oval to a quad-shaped oval.
• Bobby Labonte won the first race on the new 1.54 mile configuration on Atlanta and became the first driver to win on both configurations of the track.

TheNASCAR Thunder Special Suzuka was a non points exhibition race held November 23 on theSuzuka Circuit - East Circuit in Japan.Mark Martin won the pole. The race was broadcast onTBS.

Top ten results

1. #31 -Mike Skinner
2. #6 -Mark Martin
3. #74 -Randy LaJoie
4. #96 -David Green
5. #21 -Michael Waltrip
6. #09 -Jim Richards
7. #72 -Kenny Wallace
8. #38 -Butch Gilliland
9. #5 -Jack Sprague
10. #7 -Geoff Bodine

• Bill France Jr. suffered a mild heart attack during the trip to Japan. He recovered to live nearly another ten years.
• Rain tires were used on Winston Cup cars for the first time ever during qualifying and practice sessions.

(key) Bold - Pole position awarded by time.Italics - Pole position set by owner's points standings. * – Most laps led.

After running the Cup series part-time for a decade,Mike Skinner finally ran a full-time schedule, and walked away with three top-tens and the Rookie of the Year title. His closest runner-up wasDavid Green, despite the fact Green did not finish any higher than sixteenth. Third place was Green's brotherJeff, who came into the season midway withDiamond Ridge Motorsports. The last place finisher wasRobby Gordon, who suffered through a tumultuous season withTeam SABCO, dealing with injuries and personal disputes.

• 1997 NASCAR Busch Series
• 1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
• 1997 NASCAR Winston West Series
• 1997 NASCAR Goody's Dash Series

• Winston Cup Standings and Statistics for 1997

• 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
• NASCAR Cup Series seasons

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