After Lowe's left to become the sponsor for a new team at Richard Childress Racing, he signed Catalyst Communications as a primary sponsor to a three-year, $15 million deal for 1997 and beyond. The 1997 season started well for the #11 Close Call Ford with top tens at Bristol and Sonoma and a total of 6 top twenties in the first 9 races.  This strong start propelled Bodine to 16th in the points standings. Troubles erupted when Catalyst stopped paying its sponsorship fees, leading to a lawsuit, with Bodine eventually removing all sponsorship decals from the car. The lack of funding took its toll on the team as Bodine failed to qualify for a late season race at Rockingham and the team slipped all the way down to 29th in the final standings, although his final position was still better than the new Lowe's team which placed 30th with driver Mike Skinner.