1997 VisionAire 500
The 1997 VisionAire 500 was the eighth round of the 1996–1997 Indy Racing League. The race was held on July 26, 1997, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, US. The event was the first Indy Racing League event to be held at Charlotte.
Qualifying Results
- Failed to qualify after breaking a cam sensor in practice, but was allowed to start the race at the back of the field.
Failed to qualify or withdrew
- Buzz Calkins for Bradley Motorsports - suffered a concussion during testing on July 8 at New Hampshire and was unable to compete.
- Robbie Buhl for Team Menard - entered for the race, but was still recovering from a concussion suffered during testing on June 4.
- Jeff Ward R for Team Cheever - withdrew prior to the start of practice.
Race Report
Mark Dismore moved up steadily through the field but blew an engine at full speed going down the front stretch on lap 99; he spun the car harmlessly into the infield in turn 1. Boat, Roberto Guerrero and Jimmy Kite swapped the lead until Guerrero touched wheels with points leader Davey Hamilton in turn 2 and both cars spun into the wall. Neither driver was hurt, but his resulting 16th-place finish cost Hamilton the points lead. Lazier unlapped himself on the subsequent caution and joined the duel with Boat and Kite; the latter's race ended when his car pushed up into the wall exiting turn 4.
After the caution, Lazier took the lead and tried to pull away from Boat, but got caught behind Scott Goodyear who was trying to stay on the lead lap. While Lazier made several high-risk pass attempts, Boat caught him and briefly assumed the lead, but then Goodyear conceded and Lazier moved back in front for the final 11 laps. In the last few laps, Kenny Bräck and Eddie Cheever staged a furious duel for fifth as they picked through traffic, with Bräck coming out on top.
Race results
Box Score
| Pos | No. | Driver | Team | Laps | Time/Retired | Grid | Laps Led | Points |
| 1 | 91 |  Race Statistics
|