The 1997 Food City 500 was the seventh stock car race of the 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series and the 37th iteration of the event.

On the final lap of the race, Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon would manage to complete a bump-and-run on Penske Racing South driver Rusty Wallace in the final two turns to take his 22nd career NASCAR Winston Cup Series victory and his third victory of the season.

Despite its short length, Bristol is among the most popular tracks on the NASCAR schedule because of its distinct features, which include extraordinarily steep banking, an all concrete surface, two pit roads, and stadium-like seating.

Rusty Wallace, driving for Penske Racing South, would win the pole, setting a time of 15.526 and an average speed of 123.586 miles per hour (198.892 km/h).

Punch filled in for regular commentator Bob Jenkins who missed the race after undergoing back surgery three weeks prior.