Daytona 500 Live Report by Carolyn White

A cool morning here in Daytona Beach saw sunny skies at race time. Carola Farb and I, with her husband Joe and my husband Russ, headed for our respective seats...Carola on turn 4 and me in the Weatherly Tower just beyond the entrance to pit road. Driver introductions revealed strong support for Derrike and the #15 Ford.

There had been a lot of talk about the Bud Moore team in the hours before the race. Andrew Booth, Sports Writer for the Daytona Beach News Journal, picked Derrike to win! And the press was good to him in all ways. I found a lot of people were viewing his efforts this year with renewed hope for him and another successful year, especially because so much press was coming his way highlighting his win ten years ago.

The #15 Ford looked strong in the early going but slowly was relegated to the middle of the field. He had one very good pit stop and one that was slower. Overall, I think his crew did a great job! I listened to the crew's efforts during the 169 laps of his racing. If this report were to have a focus, it would be to let you know that the interaction and encouragement that came through the radio between Derrike and his crew was wonderful. They praised him, they guided him and one could tell that they were very much together. Having listened to several conversations last year, there is absolutely no comparison of one to the other.

During his 169 laps, he caught the eye of the broadcast team on local radio, commenting on his ability to put his car anywhere he wanted it to go on the track. He loves that high line and he did a masterful job bringing that car out of harm's way after his engine let go. But his crew guided him, once again, until he could bring it to pit road.

As much as I would have liked to see a better day for Derrike, I feel he is on his way to a good season. And hopefully he will obtain sponsorship soon which will ensure us all that 2000 will be a successful racing year for him.