Sirius Satellite Radio 400

June 16, 2002
Brooklyn, MI

Derrike will be driving at Michigan. Testing went very well there on June 4th. The music group Alabama will be on the hood this weekend in Michigan. The car will carry their new logo for their American Farewell Tour 2003. 

Associate sponsors on the car will be the bands record label RCA Records, also Walt Michals RV Center, a local Michigan company, and Sunoco A-1 Plus Convenience Stores as well. 

In Friday's first practice, Derrike was 27th fastest of 45 cars with a time of 39.025 and speed of 184.497.

Only 43 cars were set to qualify. Derrike took the track as the 10th car out and produced a speed of 184.544. After 19 cars the qualifying was put on hold because of rain. At the delay point, Derrike was sitting in the 16th position. Qualifying started again and at the end of the round, the #37 Sound Moves Ford was left in 38th position but because of the provisional system, Derrike will start the race in 42nd position.

In Happy Hour, Derrike was 41st fastest with a time of 40.939 and speed of 175.871.

Derrike started the race in 42nd position and finished in 38th position.

Derrike provided us this post-race update:

"It was not the outcome I was hoping for but we learned a lot as a whole. We know where a lot of mistakes were made and the direction we need to go in to get better. We had a problem with the engine in Happy Hour which prevented us from getting the necessary practice, thus we really had to guess on the race set-up. When we tested there we concentrated only on qualifying, which was a mistake. The next time we test we will need to do some long runs to be better prepared. As for the race the car was very tight and we were unable to get the car freed up enough to become competitive. But, it was the first effort and we will have to put this behind us and move forward. 

"I was really pleased to have all the support from the companies on the car... the Band Alabama, their record label RCA Nashville, Country Cares for St. Jude's Kids, and Sunoco A-1 Plus Convenience stores. 

"But, Duane Wood with Who's Next Racing, Inc. has made it all possible with the funding necessary for Michigan ... so a special thanks to him. 

"As for the future it is our intent to go to Chicago, Pocono, and Indy at this time. I have to say that it felt great to be back in the car...even though we lost the power steering a few laps into the race so it was a work out. I will keep you all updated on some upcoming things and test sessions...hope you enjoyed it as much as we did."