1997 Virginia Is For Lovers 200 - NASCAR Race
| Name of Race: | 1997 Virginia Is For Lovers 200 |
| Name of Track: | Richmond International Raceway |
| Date: | September 4th |
Richmond International Raceway (RIR) is a A 3/4 mile, D shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. Richmond International Raceway is located at the Richmond Raceway Complex, which is an 800 acre, multi-purpose facility.
Richmond International RacesIt hosts the NASCAR Nextel Cup, Busch Series and the Featherlite Modified Series. RIR also hosts the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, and the United States Auto Club Silver Crown Series.
Richmond International EventsRichmond Raceway Complex also hosts the Virginia Golf Show, Bassarama, Richmond Home and Garden Show, RV and Camping Expo, Richmond Boat Show, Richmond Classic Sports Card Show, East Coast Sawmill and Logging Equipment Expo, Craftsmen Classic Spring and Christmas Shows, Bizarre Bazaar Spring and Christmas Shows and other various arts and craft events.
Outdoor festivals hosted by Richmond Raceway Complex in 2004 included the Virginia State Fair, Richmond Highland Games & Celtic Festival, March of Dimes Bikers for Babies, K95 Country Music Festival, ACCA Temple Pork Festival, the VA Food Festival and concerts featuring local and national recording artists.
Strawberry HillThe former name for RIR was Strawberry Hill until RIR bought out the Virginia State Fairgounds in 1999. The Strawberry Hill Races were formerly held the third Saturday of April at the Richmond Raceway Complex. In 2000, the Races were moved to Colonial Downs in New Kent County, Virginia's first Thoroughbred racetrack.
Richmond hosts the final race in the Nextel Cup's Race for the Chase.
Courtesy of Wikipedia.1997 Virginia Is For Lovers 200 NASCAR Race Results
Below are the race results for 1997 Virginia Is For Lovers 200, in order of finishing place.
| Fin | Driver | Num | Start | Money | Laps | Pts | Status | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bob Keselowski | 29 | 10 | $34,175 | 200 | 0 | running | Mopar Performance |
| 2 | Jack Sprague | 24 | 4 | $26,675 | 200 | 0 | running | Quaker State |
| 3 | Jay Sauter | 3 | 25 | $15,425 | 200 | 0 | running | GM Goodwrench Service |
| 4 | Rich Bickle | 17 | 9 | $9,325 | 200 | 0 | running | Sears DieHard |
| 5 | Kenny Irwin, Jr. | 98 | 3 | $0 | 200 | 0 | running | Raybestos |
| 6 | Ken Schrader | 53 | 7 | $8,525 | 200 | 0 | running | Penda Truck Accessories |
| 7 | Mike Bliss | 2 | 2 | $9,375 | 200 | 0 | running | Team ASE Racing |
| 8 | Chuck Bown | 99 | 19 | $6,625 | 200 | 0 | running | Exide Batteries |
| 9 | Randy Tolsma | 61 | 12 | $6,575 | 200 | 0 | running | IWX Motor Freight |
| 10 | Butch Miller | 20 | 26 | $6,575 | 200 | 0 | running | Orleans Hotel & Casino |
| 11 | Rick Carelli | 6 | 29 | $6,475 | 200 | 0 | running | RE/MAX International |
| 12 | Joe Ruttman | 80 | 6 | $6,375 | 200 | 0 | running | LCI International |
| 13 | Jimmy Hensley | 43 | 22 | $6,275 | 199 | 0 | running | Cummins Engines |
| 15 | Bryan Reffner | 66 | 11 | $6,425 | 199 | 0 | running | Carlin Burners & Controls |
| 16 | Ron Hornaday, Jr. | 16 | 1 | $0 | 199 | 0 | running | NAPA Brakes |
| 17 | Boris Said | 44 | 28 | $6,326 | 198 | 0 | running | Federated Auto Parts |
| 18 | Stacy Compton | 86 | 8 | $6,025 | 198 | 0 | running | Valvoline Instant Oil Change |
| 19 | Mike Wallace | 52 | 14 | $4,975 | 198 | 0 | running | Purolator PureOne Filters |
| 21 | Joe Gaita | 83 | 32 | $4,900 | 197 | 0 | running | Lamb & Robinson Drywall |
| 22 | Tony Raines | 19 | 33 | $5,875 | 196 | 0 | running | Pennzoil |
| 23 | Wayne Grubb | 4 | 21 | $4,850 | 195 | 0 | running | Link-Belt Construction |
| 24 | Brad Teague | 4 | 20 | $4,825 | 192 | 0 | running | M-R Motorsports |
| 25 | Barry Bodine | 7 | 5 | $4,900 | 189 | 0 | running | Bodine Racing |
| 30 | Tammy Jo Kirk | 72 | 24 | $5,650 | 75 | 0 | engine | Rogers Construction |
| 31 | Kelly Denton | 35 | 35 | $4,625 | 67 | 0 | engine | Ortho Lawn & Garden |
| 33 | Jeff Green | 47 | 16 | $4,600 | 47 | 0 | handling | Red Man Golden Blend |
| 34 | Rick Crawford | 14 | 31 | $5,600 | 34 | 0 | engine | Circle Bar Motel & RV Park |
| 35 | Tobey Butler | 60 | 13 | $5,600 | 19 | 0 | engine | Farris Concrete |
| 36 | Ernie Irvan | 28 | 18 | $4,800 | 18 | 0 | clutch | Federated Auto Parts |
