Cracker Barrel 500

March 12, 2000
Hampton, GA

In Friday's morning practice, Derrike was 38th fastest of 48 drivers with a time of 29.871 and speed of 185.598.

In first round qualifying, Derrike completed a lap of 29.380 and speed of 188.700. At the end of the round the #15 Everything-Commerce.com Ford was left in 36th position.

In Saturday morning's practice, Derrike was 15th fastest with a time of 29.994 and speed of 184.836.

Second round qualifying was rained out so Derrike will start the race in 36th position.

Derrike started the race in 36th position. He finished in 19th position, 2 laps down.

Darlington, SC, March 16-- Patience was a virtue for Derrike Cope in Atlanta last weekend.

Avoiding problems in what was to be a dramatic Cracker Barrel 500, the driver of the #15 Everything-Commerce.com Ford Taurus posted a 36th to 19th place finish and in the process secured this week's Exide Select Batteries All Charged Up Award.

For his advancement of 17 positions, the San Diego native collected 17 points in the Exide contingency award points standings. He is tied for third in the early-season award standings with Kyle Petty, 18 points behind leader Bill Elliott and eight points behind second-place Mark Martin. Cope will receive the customary $4,000 check for winning the Atlanta award just prior to this Sunday's Mall.com 400 at Darlington Raceway.

The Exide Select Batteries All Charged Up Award goes each week to the driver (his team must be part of the Exide Batteries Contingency Award Program) who advances the most positions from start to finish in the previous race. The driver who totals the most points by season's end will receive a $50,000 checfk and a trophy from Exide Corporation during the NASCAR Awards Banquet week in New Yourk City. The Exide NASCAR Select Battery is the official battery of the NASCAR's Winston Cup Series.

Darryl Gumz was at the race and provided a live report. Darryl's Live Report