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. Races 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 80-Joe Ruttman 20-Butch Miller 17-Rich Bickle 3-Jay Sauter 6-Rick Carelli 43-Jimmy Hensley 98-Kenny Irwin Jr. 94-Ron Barfield Jr. 13-Curtis Markham 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 16-Ron Hornaday Jr. 17-Rich Bickle 3-Jay Sauter 20-Butch Miller 2-Mike Bliss 27-Rob Rizzo 24-Jack Sprague 43-Jimmy Hensley 99-Chuck Bown 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 Homestead-Miami Speedway. Joe Ruttman won the pole. Top ten results 98-Kenny Irwin Jr. 2-Mike Bliss 99-Chuck Bown 93-Mike Skinner 24-Jack Sprague 16-Ron Hornaday Jr. 35-Dave Rezendes 6-Rick Carelli 20-Butch Miller 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 Tragedy struck during the closing laps of this race when John Nemechek struck the wall in turn 2 on lap 144, suffering massive head injuries. He died five days later. 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