I have been a Derrike Cope fan since
1992. As many of you know, rooting for DC sometimes is difficult. The barbs from fans of
the top names in the sport, the middle-of-the-pack finishes, and the underfunded teams are
enough to break the heart of any fan. Every time one of those things happen, I remember
the good times as a Derrike Cope fan.
- Meeting DC for the first time at Charlotte Motor
Speedway in May 1997. This was shortly after the Mane and Tail deal went bust and Badcock
came on board. We chatted briefly and posed for a photo (my pride and joy!).
- Bringing the aforementioned photo, blownup to
8x10, back to CMS that October. Derrike was rushing into the garage area, but when he
caught sight of me whipping out the photo, he smiled and slid over to sign it.
- The following morning, before the SKITTLES® press
conference. My friend Rusty and I were coming out of the media center (we work races for
WBTV in Charlotte) and the #36 car was undercover. Derrike walked up and shook both our
hands with a warm "Good morning, guys!" What a great way to start a raceday!
- Standing on pitroad at CMS before the May '97
Busch race. As I snapped a photo of the car, DC looked over and shot me a thumbs up. Other
Cup drivers in that race were running quickly from hauler to car without even noticing or
acknowledging people calling out their names.
- I would be remiss if I didn't mention Jeff and
this fine website. Jeff has been nice enough to post some of my material (photos, NASCAR
game cars, etc.) and it's been nice getting to interact with other Cope fans. As the 1998
season approaches, I'm excited about Bahari', Gumout, getting to meet Jeff and the gang at
Charlotte in May, and another season of Sunday afternoons hollering "Go get 'em,
DC!" at the television.
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