Diamond Hill Plywood 200

May 8, 2009
Darlington, SC

Derrike will be driving the #73 flipNbags Dodge in the Nationwide race. Derrike said, "The team is busy at work turning the car around for Darlington. I am looking forward to this weekend. I really like Darlington and have had some success there as well. We need to make some changes and procure some parts and pieces that will hopefully help the effort. Darlington is a difficult place to get around, but the way this car handles I feel good about our chances to come away with a very good finish. Tech and inspection is on Thursday and the first practice is Friday morning."

In the one and only practice, Derrike was 24th fastest with a time of 29.092 and speed of 169.036.

Qualifying was rained out even though NASCAR was still able to hold Sprint Cup qualifying. Since the race was based on owner's points, Derrike did not make the race since he has not attempted enough races.

Derrike talked about the inability to be able to qualify Friday. He said, "It comes down to the guys that have shown up week in and week out. They have attempted every week or more times than we have and that is the structure. The way the schedules are so compacted it is difficult to have any recourse when weather becomes a factor. Cup also take priority, and television is what becomes important, not the teams. It hurts more or frustrates you more when this happens to you, and you have a sponsor and you can actually race.

"We were a good race car and that was evident in our speeds. We will just have to get over it and come back strong at Lowes for the next few weeks and try to be as good there."