Tracy Burnette

If there were awards for caring about his fans and reaching out to them, I think Derrike couldn't carry an award that would be as big as his heart and appropriate for him. My son Tracy Shane Burnette became disabled several years ago. He had two failed back surgeries which resulted in a great deal of muscle and nerve damage and he eventually developed deterioration of his bones. He had a great deal of difficulty getting around, especially right after his second surgery and knew eventually he would be in a wheel chair. He however kept pushing himself to pursue his greatest interest which was NASCAR and the drivers. Racing was his passion.

When he could get someone to drive him to Mooresville he hung around any and everywhere he could to meet drivers, get autographs, and talk with the drivers, when he could get an opportunity. Tracy met Derrike on an occasion when he had gotten a friend to take him down there, and the boy's car broke down. Derrike and his crew towed the car to their shop. Derrike had them to attempt to fix the car. However they needed a part. So Derrike had them get the part and paid for it himself. Tracy nor his friend had the money for the part.

While they were working on the car, Tracy talked with Derrike about his disability. He then got a brainstorm and thought it would be such a thrill for me (his Mother) to get the chance to talk with the famous Derrike Cope on the phone. He asked Derrike to call me. Derrike talked to me on the phone and told me how they were trying to get the car up and running for them. I misunderstood the name when I talked with Derrike and thought he said Eric. My son then took the phone and said, "Mom, do you have any idea who you just talked to on the phone?" I replied, "No, not really. Eric who?" Then Tracy began to laugh and said, "Only the winner of the Daytona 500 in 1990, Derrike Cope!" I was awe struck. I wanted to talk to him again and savored the moment.

I tried to get Derrike to take my credit card number or give me an address to mail him a check. He wouldn't hear of it. Derrike said the next time we are close to your area, I'll give Tracy pit passes for the weekend. Derrike was true to his word. He got passes for Tracy and a friend for the Martinsville race and left them at the gate. Derrike gave me a number to call in case there were any problems. When Tracy and his friend arrived at the gate he couldn't get in. He called me and had me call Derrike to tell him. Derrike calmly said he would send a car out to them, which he did. That was one of Tracy's fondest moments.

I think Tracy contacted Derrike a few times after that Martinsville race, over the years and Derrike always gave Tracy passes to other races. Tracy had several health problems along with his failing back and legs. My only son Tracy Shane passed away April 6, 2006 at the age of 33. I emailed Jeff Cope to get word to Derrike of his passing.

Through the years, Tracy and I passed the stories of Derrike and his generosity and how much he cared for his fans to any and everyone that even mentioned racing. In fact we were talking about Derrike just a few days before he passed away. I was never fortunate enough to meet Derrike in person when I would take Tracy to Mooresville, but talking to him on the phone meant so much to me. Derrike called me yesterday to express his condolences. I asked him if he remembered Tracy and he said, "Of course, I remember him well."

As long as I live the story will be kept alive. Hats off to you, Derrike Cope! You are the greatest in my book. My grandchildren will know about you! I wonder if Tracy is still passing the story around in Heaven. A fan forever!

Patricia Frazier (Tracy's Mother)