Scott Hunt

Like so many others, I had never heard of Derrike Cope prior to the 1990 season. And,like most other people, I was an Earnhardt fan up until that point. I remember mentioning to my wife "This Cope guy can drive" as we watched him lead the Daytona 500 several times. I'll never forget the feeling of watching Dale cut a tire on the final lap, and then watching Derrike cross the finish line first. Most Earnhardt fans were hysterical, but I wasn't. I left thinking that I would keep an eye on this guy Derrike Cope. Another win at Dover that same year confirmed my suspicions about his ability to drive, and I vowed to keep tabs on this Cope fella.

1991 and 1992 were kind of bland years with Whitcomb, and somewhere down the line, I kind of lost track of Derrike. Earnhardt was still my favorite, and there wasn't much time for anyone else.

However, prior to the 1995 season, my wife showed me an advertisement from one of her horse magazines. She is a very dedicated rider and trainer, and Straight Arrow products had an ad showing Derrike standing outside the #12 car. That was it!!!!!!! Earnahrdt was immediately forgotten and at that moment, we became full-time Derrike Cope fans.

We were delirious over the good start Derrike had in 1995, and even though there was a mid-season slump, we were pleased with a 15th place finish, and eagerly anticipated the 1996 season.

Even though Straight Arrow is no longer a sponsor, I am still a dedicated Derrike Cope fan, and always will be. In the NASCAR On-Line Chat Room, my "handle" is COPE FAN, and I even wrote a Letter to the Editor of Winston Cup Scene in support of Derrike which was published in their August 16th issue.

Derrike is a class act. He drives with a lot of heart, and I've never heard him whine or complain when things don't go his way. He's a true gentleman, and I am honored and proud to call myself Derrike's #1 Fan. Wherever he winds up for 1997, I'll be rooting for him every time he cranks it up.