   |
Daytona 500February 15, 2004
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On January 30th, Derrike said, "We were pleased with our test at Daytona. Although we didn't do a bonsai run, we turned a 48.25 lap. Following Daytona, we went to Talladega for some further testing. Based on those test results we made some additional modifications to our super speedway car. I am excited for Daytona. Clearly, we have a good horse to ride." In the first practice, Derrike was 40th fastest with a time of 48.641 and speed of 185.029. In the 2nd practice, he was 37th fastest with a time of 48.459 and speed of 185.274. In qualifying, Derrike was 41st fastest with a time of 48.871 and speed of 184.158. In the 3rd practice, Derrike was 19th fastest with a time of 47.450 and speed of 189.673. In the 4th practice, Derrike was 42nd fastest with a time of 47.830 and speed of 188.166. In the 5th practice, Derrike was 22nd fastest with a time of 47.568 and speed of 189.203. There was an article in the Naples Daily News: http://www1.naplesnews.com/npdn/sports/article/0,2071,NPDN_15000_2645667,00.html Don Arnold announced that Thrifty Car Rental will be on the hood in what is called the co-primary sponsor. Gatorade 125 Race 1Derrike started 21st in the Gatorade Twin 125 race 1 on Thursday February 12th. After 50 laps and mostly running the race in 12th and 13th position, he finished in 16th position after running 4 laps in the top 10.
At the end of the Gatorade 125 Race 2, Derrike and the team had to take a provisional so Derrike will be starting the Daytona 500 in 42nd position. In the 6th practice, Derrike was 30th fastest with a time of 47.797 and speed of 188.296. The team changed engines the first time Friday afternoon, opting to skip the 7th practice and replace the motor used in qualifying and the Gatorade 125 for a new engine. . In Happy Hour, six laps into the practice a rocker arm in the new engine broke. Crew chief Mike Hillman and Cope agreed to go back to the engine used in the 125. "I don't think we've hurt the old engine at all," Hillman said. "This isn't the kind of track where you're turning a lot of RPMs like you do at Charlotte, Atlanta, or Martinsville. At those tracks, we're turning over 9,000. Here, it's about 7,100. With these restrictor plates, you just can't wind 'em up as much." As a result, Derrike was 42nd fastest with a time of 48.310 and speed of 186.297. Daytona 500Derrike was scheduled to start the race in 42nd position but because the team changed engines will be starting in 43rd position. Derrike finished the race in 30th position after recovering from a blown tire.
There was an excellent article in the Naples Daily News on what happened during the race: http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/sports/article/0,2071,NPDN_15000_2658104,00.html
We spoke with Derrike on Tuesday after the race and he shared his thoughts on Sunday's events. "Looking back on Sunday's Daytona 500 and Speed Week when it's all said and done I feel that it was productive. Our cup car was strong and responded really well in the draft. We appreciate the support of Thrifty Rent-a Car as well as Mark Melling and The Melling Tool Company in sponsoring us at Daytona. I felt that we would be a factor as our Dodge was strong. However, we blew a left rear tire on lap thirty-four. I had the car saved until the belt came off of the sidewall causing the car to whip around and hit the wall. Nevertheless, our team did an outstanding job of repairing the damage, enabling us to salvage a thirtieth place finish. I can't say enough about the team and their effort. We are looking forward to going to Rockingham this weekend. We are positive and anticipate showcasing our team there."
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top