1997 California 500
NASCAR Cup Series Race 15 of 0
Race InformationTrack Information
Total Purse:$1,697,250Race Date:Apr 17, 2026Auto Club Speedway
Margin of Victory:1.074 SecondsRace Duration:3Hr 13Min 32Sec.Fontana, California
Lead Changes:21 Among / 12 DriversAverage Speed:155.025 MPH2 Mile Paved D-Shaped Oval
No. of Cars:42No. of Cautions:4 For 22 Lapsautoclubspeedway.com

Winner, Pole and Manufacturer Information
Winner InformationPole InformationManufacturer Points
Driver: Jeff Gordon J. GordonDriver: Joe Nemechek J. NemechekChevrolet:9
Car No.:#24 ChevroletCar No.:#73 ChevroletFord:0
Team:Hendrick MotorsportsTeam:Team SabcoPontiac:0
Crew Chief:Ray EvernhamCrew Chief: 
Laps Led:113 of 250Pole Speed:183.015 MPH
Official 1997 California 500 Results
FinishStartNumDriverSponsorMfgPointsLapsLedStatus
1324 Jeff GordonJeff GordonDuPont185250113Running
2105 Terry LabonteTerry LabonteKellogg's Corn Flakes17525041Running
33910 Ricky RuddRicky RuddTide1652500Running
42016 Ted MusgraveTed MusgraveThe Family Channel / PRIMESTAR1602500Running
51923 Jimmy SpencerJimmy SpencerCamel Cigarettes1602504Running
61518 Bobby LabonteBobby LabonteInterstate Batteries1502500Running
7729 Jeff Green (R)Jeff GreenCartoon Network1462500Running
8988 Dale JarrettDale JarrettQuality Care / Ford Credit14725049Running
91125 Ricky CravenRicky CravenBudweiser1432508Running
10126 Mark MartinMark MartinValvoline13924911Out of Fuel
111821 Michael WaltripMichael WaltripCITGO1302490Running
122137 Jeremy MayfieldJeremy MayfieldKmart / RC Cola1272490Running
131330 Johnny Benson, Jr.Johnny Benson, Jr.Pennzoil1242490Running
14162 Rusty WallaceRusty WallaceMiller Lite1212490Running
15817 Darrell WaltripDarrell WaltripParts America1232492Running
16143 Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtGM Goodwrench Service1152490Running
174141 Steve GrissomSteve GrissomKodiak1122490Running
18173 Joe NemechekJoe NemechekBellSouth1142481Running
192497 Chad LittleChad LittleJohn Deere1062480Running
20229 Lake SpeedLake SpeedMelling Auto Parts1032480Running
213598 John AndrettiJohn AndrettiRCA1002480Running
224290 Dick TrickleDick TrickleHeilig-Meyers / Simmons972480Running
233043 Bobby HamiltonBobby HamiltonSTP942470Running
24311 Morgan ShepherdMorgan ShepherdJasper Engines / Federal-Mogul912470Running
253496 David Green (R)David GreenCaterpillar882470Running
263611 Brett BodineBrett BodineClose Call Phone Card902471Running
272620 Greg SacksGreg SacksCoors Light822460Running
284022 Ward BurtonWard BurtonMBNA America792460Running
292336 Derrike CopeDerrike CopeSkittles762450Running
302599 Jeff BurtonJeff BurtonExide Batteries732440Running
313844 Kyle PettyKyle PettyHot Wheels702430Running
321794 Bill ElliottBill ElliottMcDonald's672410Out of Fuel
332831 Mike Skinner (R)Mike SkinnerLowe's642250Running
34533 Ken SchraderKen SchraderSkoal Bandit662198Engine
3567 Geoffrey BodineGeoffrey BodineQVC582150Engine
36294 Sterling MarlinSterling MarlinKodak Films552060Engine
37228 Ernie IrvanErnie IrvanTexaco / Havoline572026Engine
38331 Jerry NadeauJerry NadeauR+L Carriers491740Running
39446 Wally Dallenbach, Jr.Wally Dallenbach, Jr.First Union511736Electrical
403271 Dave MarcisDave MarcisRealtree Camouflage431460Engine
413775 Rick MastRick MastRemington Arms40940Engine
42278 Hut StricklinHut StricklinCircuit City37280Accident

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