Cabela's 250

August 21, 2004
Brooklyn, MI

For Derrike Cope, Michigan is almost like going home again. That’s the way the #49 Advil Ford driver will feel in Saturday’s 200-mile NASCAR Busch Series race.

"Well, it’s not exactly home home," he said, "but it’s a track that I really enjoy racing. Until there is a speedway built in Washington (state), Michigan will just have to be home for me."

Cope’s expertise at the two-mile Michigan International Speedway is near legendary. The Spanaway, Wash., native has normally qualified very well at the fast, wide speedway and is known for strong runs in NASCAR Nextel Cup and NASCAR Busch Series cars, even with smaller teams.

"I don’t know what it is specifically but I’ve always liked racing there. Enjoying where you are racing can make a big difference. Attitude plays a huge role in performance, regardless of what sport you are involved in," Cope said. "Golfers talk about ‘visualizing’ – watching the putt break on the green and then fall into the hole. Baseball players do it, seeing themselves make contact with the pitch and hit it solidly," he added. "Racing is no different in that regard. You have to look at things positively, go into each speedway – for that matter, go into each turn during practice or qualifying or the race – with a highly positive attitude. Attitude alone won’t win races but it can cost you good finishes."

In the first practice, Derrike was 39th fastest with a time of 39.862 and speed of 180.623.

Qualifying was rained out so the lineup was set mostly on car-owner points which put Derrike in the race to start in the 28th position.

Derrike started the race in 28th and finished in 34th position.