NASCAR BGN Series Autolite Platinum 250: Fact Sheet
3 September 1997
1997 NASCAR BUSCH SERIES, GRAND NATIONAL DIVISION RACE FACTS WHAT: Autolite Platinum 250 NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division Race #25 of 30 WHERE: Richmond International Raceway Richmond, VA 0.750-Mile Banked Paved Speedway WHEN: Friday, September 5, 1997 7:40 pm (EDT) DISTANCE: 250 Laps (187.5 Miles) POSTED AWARDS: $380,218 FIELD: 43 cars. Fastest 38 cars through time trials. Up to five provisional starting positions, including four based on 1997 NBS owner points and one for a former champion of the NBS. SANCTION: National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) PROMOTER: Richmond International Raceway, Inc. TV: ESPN (Live) Air time: 7:30 pm (EDT) Announcers: Dr. Jerry Punch, Benny Parsons and Ned Jarrett Pit Reporters: Bill Weber, Ray Dunlap and Kyle Petty RADIO: MRN (Live) Air time : 7:15 pm (EDT) Announcers: Allen Bestwick and Joe Moore SCHEDULE: Thursday, September 4 6:00 am : Team Haulers Enter 7:00 am : NASCAR Garage Opens 8:00 am : Draw For Qualifying Order 8:30 am : Rookie Drivers' Meeting 10:30 - 11:30 am : Practice 4:10 pm : Qualifying (Positions 1-25) Friday, September 5 8:00 am : NASCAR Garage Opens 11:00 - 11:30 am : Practice 2:00 pm : Qualifying (Positions 26-38) 6:30 pm : Drivers' & Crew Chiefs' Meeting 7:45 pm : Start of the Autolite Platinum 250 RECORDS: Qualifying: Jason Keller; Greenville, SC; Chevrolet; 121.968 mph; 22.137 seconds; 9/9/94 Race: Dale Jarrett; Newton, NC; Ford; 104.928 mph; 1 hour, 47 minutes, 13 seconds; 9/8/95 1996 REVIEW: Kenny Wallace and David Green battled throughout the race, swapping the lead twice over the last 185 laps before Wallace finally prevailed by 0.25-second. Chad Little finished third. Mark Martin fourth and Dick Trickle fifth. Green added another 36 points to his lead over Randy LaJoie, who finished eighth, in the NASCAR Busch Series Championship point standings. There were 36 of the 41 cars that started the racing still running at the finish. THE TRACK: Degree of Banking in Turns - 14 degrees Degree of Banking on Frontstretch - 8 degrees Degree of Banking on Backstretch - 2 degrees Length of Frontstretch - 1,290 feet Length of Backstretch - 860 feet PARTICIPATING AWARDS SPONSORS: Anheuser-Busch, Inc., AE Clevite, Aeroquip, Autolite Spark Plugs, Champion Spark Plugs, Competition Cam, Edelbrock Intake Manifolds, Fram Oil Filters, Ford Motor Corporation, Gatorade, Goodyear Tires & Belts & Hoses, Griffin Mufflers, Goody's, Holley Carburetors, JE Pistons, Jesel Rocker Arms, Kar Products, Lincoln Electric, MCI, Moog Chassis Parts, Moroso Blue Max Ignition Wires, Motorsports Designs, MSD Ignitions, Penske Shocks, Precision Gear, Raybestos Brakes, Richmond Gear, Simpson Helmets, STP Oil Treatment & Oil Filters, Unocal 76 Gasoline, Vantare, Winston Cup Scene, Wiseco Pistons, Wix Filters.