1997 Daytona 500
NASCAR Cup Series Race 1 of 32
Race InformationTrack Information
Total Purse:$3,441,145Race Date:Apr 30, 2026Daytona International Speedway
Margin of Victory:Concluded Under CautionRace Duration:3Hr 22Min 18Sec.Daytona Beach, Florida
Lead Changes:12 Among / 9 DriversAverage Speed:148.295 MPH2.5 Mile Paved Banked Tri-Oval
No. of Cars:42No. of Cautions:8 For 28 Laps

Winner, Pole and Manufacturer Information
Winner InformationPole InformationManufacturer Points
Driver: Jeff Gordon J. GordonDriver: Mike Skinner M. SkinnerChevrolet:9
Car No.:#24 ChevroletCar No.:#31 ChevroletFord:0
Team:Hendrick MotorsportsTeam:Richard Childress RacingPontiac:0
Crew Chief:Ray EvernhamCrew Chief:Kevin Hamlin 
Laps Led:40 of 200Pole Speed:189.813 MPH
Official 1997 Daytona 500 Results
FinishStartNumDriverSponsorStatusMfgPointsLapsLed
1624 Jeff GordonJeff GordonDuPontRunning18020040
2185 Terry LabonteTerry LabonteKellogg's Corn FlakesRunning1702000
34025 Ricky CravenRicky CravenBudweiserRunning1652000
4894 Bill ElliottBill ElliottMcDonald'sRunning16520030
594 Sterling MarlinSterling MarlinKodak FilmsRunning1602008
62137 Jeremy MayfieldJeremy MayfieldKmart / RC ColaRunning1502000
7116 Mark MartinMark MartinValvolineRunning15620052
81722 Ward BurtonWard BurtonMBNA AmericaRunning1422000
91310 Ricky RuddRicky RuddTideRunning1382000
102217 Darrell WaltripDarrell WaltripWestern AutoRunning1342000
112399 Jeff BurtonJeff BurtonExide BatteriesRunning1302000
12131 Mike Skinner (R)Mike SkinnerLowe'sRunning1322001
134116 Ted MusgraveTed MusgraveThe Family Channel / PRIMESTARRunning1242000
143044 Kyle PettyKyle PettyHot WheelsRunning1212000
153943 Bobby HamiltonBobby HamiltonSTPRunning1182000
162040 Robby Gordon (R)Robby GordonCoors LightRunning1152000
172471 Dave MarcisDave MarcisTeam RealtreeRunning1122000
183711 Brett BodineBrett BodineClose Call Phone CardRunning1092000
19288 Hut StricklinHut StricklinCircuit CityRunning1062000
20528 Ernie IrvanErnie IrvanTexaco / HavolineRunning10820013
211518 Bobby LabonteBobby LabonteInterstate BatteriesRunning1002000
223681 Kenny WallaceKenny WallaceSquare DRunning972000
23388 Dale JarrettDale JarrettQuality Care / Ford CreditRunning942000
24359 Lake SpeedLake SpeedMelling Auto PartsRunning911990
253298 John AndrettiJohn AndrettiRCARunning881980
263319 Loy Allen, Jr.Loy Allen, Jr.Child Support Recovery InternationalRunning851980
273873 Joe NemechekJoe NemechekBellSouthAccident821960
281630 Johnny Benson, Jr.Johnny Benson, Jr.PennzoilAccident791950
29421 Morgan ShepherdMorgan ShepherdDelco Remy AmericaAccident761950
302790 Dick TrickleDick TrickleHeilig-MeyersAccident731950
3143 Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtGM Goodwrench ServiceRunning7519548
321221 Michael WaltripMichael WaltripCITGORunning721885
331033 Ken SchraderKen SchraderSkoal BanditRunning641730
34257 Geoffrey BodineGeoffrey BodineQVCAccident611480
35723 Jimmy SpencerJimmy SpencerCamel CigarettesRunning581460
362936 Derrike CopeDerrike CopeSkittlesHandling551240
373420 Greg SacksGreg SacksHardee'sAccident571203
383177 Bobby Hillin, Jr.Bobby Hillin, Jr.Jasper Engines & TransmissionsEngine491110
391929 Robert PressleyRobert PressleyCartoon NetworkAccident46910
40241 Steve GrissomSteve GrissomKodiakAccident43880
41142 Rusty WallaceRusty WallaceMiller LiteEngine40470
422646 Wally Dallenbach, Jr.Wally Dallenbach, Jr.First UnionEngine37320

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