Race 22: Pensacola USA 250 at Five Flags Speedway; Pensacola, Florida; December 6th, 1997
HOWARD TAKES FINALE, SUN SETS ON 1997 SEASONBy Nick Johnson/NASCAR.com - December 7th, 1997PENSACOLA, FL - Richie Howard surprised the field at the season opener at Walt Disney World Speedway back in January to win his first race as a rookie and he finished the season the same way, with a victory under the lights at Five Flags Speedway before a capacity crowd as he held off fellow rookie Blaine Freeman in a one lap dash to the finish following a late-race caution. Though Howard got his second win, this 1997 season was a learning curve for the rookie as he finished the year with one pole, two wins at both ends of the season, four top-5s, nine top-10s, and five DNFs.
Howard's comments in victory lane: "This season whipped us for sure, but I feel like we'll be able to come back stronger in a couple months."
The way Tim Foster, Jr. finished his championship season, you'd think his favorite number was six as tonight marked his third consecutive sixth place finish after leading a race-high 113 laps. Foster was 13th in points after his initial win in Louisville and since then his march to the title has been nothing short of amazing. He led everyone in poles (4), wins (3), top-5s (10), top-10s (16), bonus points (39), laps completed (4,564, 97.94%), laps led (788, 16.91%), best average starting (8.32) and finishing (8.55) positions amongst series regulars, and was the only full-time driver without a single DNF.
Roger Fowler's incredible career came to an end not in the form of a victory but a hard-fought eighth place finish that makes him the runner-up in the points to Foster by 81 points. Fowler led the points standings for half the season from North Wilkesboro in April until South Boston in September, his consistency leading many to believe it could've been number eight for the Southeast series's winningest driver.
Fowler if late-season inconsistency led to retirement talks: "Not really. To be honest I'm surprised I led the points as long as I did. I made this decision back in June between Myrtle Beach and Volusia and kept it within the family for a few months. I wanted to retire at the top of my game rather than retire on the decline and I think I did a pretty damn good job of timing it just right. Now we gotta get back home and get J.R. ready for next season!"
Derek Hawkins finished his season with a ninth place finish and after running consistently enough, he was awarded the Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors as he finished seventh in points, ahead of Blaine Freeman, Chad Moon, and Richie Howard despite not having won a race this season.
Hawkins on winning ROTY: "I didn't think we were gonna get it in all honesty since Blaine [Freeman] was only a couple points behind us but hell, I'll take it! Maybe this means we'll have a sponsor on the car for 1998."
1996 series champion Damian Washington had a poor title defense season as it seemed all the luck and speed has left the #1 team. Washington finished 20th in Pensacola and finished 16th in points with only one pole, three top-5s, and nine top-10s.
Washington's comments: "This was a disappointing season for sure and not a whole lot went our way, but there's not much we can do except try putting this behind us and come back stronger next year. With Tim, Ryan, and J.R., I feel like we're in for a fun season next year."
This 1997 NASCAR All Pro Southeast Series season has been a rollercoaster ride from start to finish, filled with plenty of wonderful races and moments that had fans cheering, screaming, and watching in awe, thus leaving everybody wanting more as the teams load up and enjoy a well-deserved rest leading up to the 1998 season kicking off at Walt Disney World Speedway once again in late January.
Lap LeadersTim Foster, Jr. - 113
Jimbo Bailey - 46
Blaine Freeman - 39
Richie Howard - 32
Trent Blanchard - 20
Contingency AwardsBusch Pole Award: Robby Anderson
Safety Kleen Front Runner (Most Laps Led): Tim Foster, Jr. (113 of 250 laps)
Gatorade Hard Charger (Most Positions Gained): Chad Moon (+16, Started 30th, Finished 14th)
STP Hot Lap (Best Lap Time): Tim Foster, Jr. (18.195 seconds / 98.928 mph)
Raybestos Rookie of the Race: Richie Howard (Finished 1st)
Five Star Moment of the Race: Foster's championship and Fowler's retirement celebrations.
Season StatsTotal Drivers: 40
Different Pole Winners: 15
Different Race Winners: 14
Drivers with top-5 finishes: 22
Drivers with top-10 finishes: 28
Drivers with a DNF: 32
Drivers earning bonus points: 24
Drivers who led a lap: 28
Total Season Distance: 22 races, 2,560.61 miles, 4,660 laps
Most DNFs: Leroy Gardner (9)
Most everything else: Tim Foster, Jr.
Top 5 Wins of the Season5. Blaine Freeman being awarded his first career win at Martinsville following the Trent Blanchard controversy.
4. Gary Campbell leading all 250 laps at Bowman-Gray Stadium.
3. Ryan Fisher's first career win at Bristol.
2. Roger Fowler's final career win at Heartland Park holding off Becky Conway.
1. Tim Foster, Jr.'s hometown victory at Louisville kicking off his championship hunt.
Other AwardsCrash of the Year: Rob Snyder at North Wilkesboro
Raybestos Rookie of the Year: Derek Hawkins
Driver(s) of the Year: Tim Foster, Jr. and Ryan Fisher
-Including his three races as Rob Snyder's relief driver, Fisher finished the season with three poles, one win, nine top-5s, 11 top-10s, and finished 20th in points
Most Popular Driver: Tim Foster, Jr.
Race 22 Results.htm (12.34 KB)
Race 22 Points.htm (25.72 KB)
