Pocono 500

A NASCAR race.

1997

June 8, 1997
Pocono Raceway

Results

Average Speed:  139.828 mph
Margin of Victory:  1.415 seconds
Time of Race:  3:34:33
Lead Changes:  25

Contingency Awards

Bud Fastest Second-Round Qualifier:  Joe Nemechek
Bud Pole:  Dale Jarrett

Photographs

	Morgan Shepherd Morgan Shepherd had some good success at Atlanta, scoring 3 of his 4 cup wins there. Got his final win at age 51. Also had 15 Busch Series wins in the series early era. Pretty solid racer. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Morgan Shepherd at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 100KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace was able to score a single win in 1997. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Rusty Wallace at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 77KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Dale Earnhardt The Intimidator goes down the frontstretch at Pocono. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Dale Earnhardt at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 36KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Sterling Marlin After some good years in the #4, the team started to slip in 1997 with no wins and 25th in points and Marlin and the team split after the season. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Sterling Marlin at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 85KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Terry Labonte Terry Labonte, 1996 Winston Cup Champion, was always one of my favorites. Posted 1 1997 win. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Terry Labonte at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 62KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Mark Martin Mark Martin was able to rebound from a winless 1996 to post 4 wins in 1997 including his record setting win at Talladega. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Mark Martin at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 88KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Mark Martin Of the most used paint schemes on the Valvoline #6 over the years, this was the one I liked the best. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Mark Martin at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 87KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Hut Stricklin Hut Stricklin in the Stavola Brothers #8 in 1997. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Hut Stricklin at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 79KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Ricky Rudd Ricky Rudd, real steady over years. 16 straight years with a win including 8 straight years where he won a single race. Ricky was able to drive his self owned #10 into victory lane 6 times including twice in 1997. Pretty good in the era of the multi car teams starting to dominate the sport. He also snared the Brickyard win in 1997, a major victory. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Ricky Rudd at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 79KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Brett Bodine Brett Bodine in his self owned #11. One career win driving the 26 in 1990. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Brett Bodine at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 76KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Pocono 500 Very underrated driver for the Roush organization. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Ted Musgrave at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 66KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Darrell Waltrip Jaws. Boogity. 84 wins. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Darrell Waltrip at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 72KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Bobby Labonte Solid former champion with 21 wins including 5 in 1999. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Bobby Labonte at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 95KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Gary Bradberry Kinda forgot this driver. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Gary Bradberry at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 66KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Ward Burton I thought he only won a couple of races, but he totaled 5. I do remember that Daytona 500. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Ward Burton at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 96KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Jimmy Spencer Even though Winston poured tons of money into Nascar over the years, Nascar didn't seem too upset with their departure. I wonder if a cigarette company now wanted to get back into the sport whether Nascar would allow it. I would guess not. How soon they forget. Even though I've never been a smoker, I do believe in loyalty. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Jimmy Spencer at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 77KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Jeff Gordon 1997 Winston Cup Champion and winner of the race this weekend at Pocono. Remarkable how similar the paint scheme still is. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Jeff Gordon at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 78KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Ricky Craven Ricky Craven got a couple of wins with the Cal Wells car but had little success with the Hendrick 25. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Ricky Craven at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 102KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Ernie Irvan Ernie would win the final of his 15 wins the following week at Michigan. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Ernie Irvan at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 112KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Johnny Benson I think Johnny Benson is much better than many of the current series formerly known as Winston Cup drivers. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Johnny Benson at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 73KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Mike Skinner Does better in trucks. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Mike Skinner at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 90KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Derrike Cope Won 2 races in 1990 including the 500. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Derrike Cope at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 81KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Jeremy Mayfield Was heading toward his first win the following season. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Jeremy Mayfield at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 94KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Greg Sacks One of the last races Sacks would drive the 40. Soon replaced with Robby Gordon. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Greg Sacks at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 54KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Steve Grissom Drove the Hedrick 41 in 1997. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Steve Grissom at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 88KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Joe Nemechek Joe was the driver for Sabates in 1997 in the Bellsouth 42. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Joe Nemechek at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 70KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Joe Nemechek On the frontstretch. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Joe Nemechek at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 87KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Bobby Hamilton Did good enough in the series to get 4 wins. Great in the Craftsman Truck Series as well. R.I.P. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Bobby Hamilton at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 79KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Kyle Petty I really liked this paint scheme of the Hot Wheels car in 1997. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Kyle Petty at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 68KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Kyle Petty The #44 in 1997. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Kyle Petty at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 67KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Dave Marcis One of the great veterans. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Dave Marcis at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 103KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Rick Mast Rick Mast and the #75 in 1997. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Rick Mast at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 58KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Kenny Wallace This guy actually still stops talking long enough to climb into a race car. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Kenny Wallace at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 68KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Dale Jarrett An awesome year for Jarrett with 7 wins and 2nd in the points. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Dale Jarrett at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 85KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Bill Elliott Good looking car, but Bill was never able to win a race with the #94. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Bill Elliott at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 81KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Mike Wallace The #91 Spam machine at Pocono. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Mike Wallace at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 115KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Chad Little Filled out the Roush roster in 1997. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Chad Little at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 76KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	John Andretti This car was good on the restrictor plate tracks in 1997 and he got a Daytona win shortly after this race for Yarborough. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of John Andretti at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 98KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.
	Jeff Burton One of the great drivers of the current group. One of the cleanest also. Photo by Mike Traverse View photo of Jeff Burton at the 1997 Pocono 500 - 86KB This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.

2003

Photographs

2003 U.S. Navy photo by Linda S. Beth Navy Honor Guard from Naval Submarine Base, Groton, Conn., kicked off Military Appreciation Day during the opening ceremonies at the Pocono 500 NASCAR race. View photo from the 2003 Pocono 500 - 2,385KB

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