2004 Nextel Cup Season Updates
	These are various updates throughout the season on Derrike Cope's racing.

Charlotte Update
October 19, 2004 - Derrike updated us with his comments about this past weekend in Charlotte. Regarding the Nextel Cup effort, "Obviously we were very unhappy about not making the field. But, the guys worked so hard getting the car ready. We all pulled an all-nighter on Wednesday. The guys never went to bed. As for what happened, I believe we should have made it but we changed gears before qualifying. We chose too much gear and did not allow for the change in weather, but the big mistake was not unhooking the rev limiter or raising it up higher. We got on the rev limiter 3/4 of the way down the straightaway which knocks out cylinders and slowed us down. The car worked great! So we will go back to Atlanta and try again."

Richmond Update
September 13, 2004 - Earlier today we spoke with Derrike regarding last weekend’s Cup race at Richmond. "With our Cup car we were pretty good off of the truck. In practice the car really drove to my liking. Prior to qualifying we made a decision to take some gear out. Looking back that was a mistake as the car then lacked power coming off of the corners. We were hoping for a better race showing, but ignition problems put us out."

California Update
September 8, 2004 - Looking back on last week's California race, Derrike shared the following during a conversation earlier today. "Our bad luck continued for Saturday's Cup race. We had a problem qualifying. The lead was loose in the frame rail which hit the left front of the car causing considerable damage. At the beginning of the race, our car shut off exiting pit road. What we found was that a wire had come off of the ignition switch. That took several laps to fix putting us double digit laps down at the start of the race. We were held up in the pits when we had a fire, which I think was ignited by a spark from a lug nut. Thinks were improving for us on the track when we blew a left rear tire in turn one putting us into the wall. We hit really hard. I have had problems with my left knee from previous accidents. The shot that I took hitting the wall aggravated it again. The good thing is that last weekend is behind us. We are looking forward to turning things around this weekend in Richmond."

Michigan Update
August 23, 2004 - Looking back on last weekend's race Derrike commented, "Our Cup run was frustrating, but we learned from the gremlin's that plagued us. Actually, we lost the power steering as we left pit road to start the race. We regained the steering after the first caution. The team made some adjustments that improved our overall handling. Unfortunately, we lost our power steering again. When this happened, I looked down and saw that we also lost our oil pressure. As a result we were out of the race."

Brickyard 400 Update
August 10, 2004 - Earlier today we spoke with Derrike and got the following update on their run Sunday in the Brickyard 400. "Our car was slow in practice and we couldn't overcome this in qualifying and as a result we had to use a provisional for the race. We had an abbreviated Happy Hour practice. We made several adjustments to the car on race day and missed the setup by a little. We were loose in the beginning of the race, however the team made adjustments to improve the car's handling. We hated to go out so early, but we picked up a severe vibration that forced us to go behind the wall."

Daytona Update
July 5, 2004 - In reviewing last week’s Daytona Cup effort, Derrike indicated, "We were disappointed that we didn’t qualify on speed for the Pepsi 400. However, looking at the total picture we were pleased with what we accomplished in getting our car ready in one week. We had trouble in getting our car through inspection and as a result we got only fifteen minutes of practice. As a result we qualified with only four laps of practice in a car that had never been on the track prior to those laps. Dan Glaus, our crew chief, made some good choices for setup. Our lack of preparation time really hurt us. Still we came up only about eight one hundredths short of qualifying on speed. Our engine performance was superb. We bottomed out in qualifying and that hurt our speed. Overall we did not get the result we had hoped for, but we made major strides in our first outing as a team. We have made a decision not to go to Chicago for this weekend’s Cup race. We are meeting this week to determine our schedule for testing and future races." Incidentally, there was some confusion as to what make of car Derrike would be running. He ran a Dodge at Daytona and will be running Dodges the rest of this season.

Pepsi 400
June 28, 2004 - Derrike will be running at Daytona this weekend in the Pepsi 400. Earlier today, Derrike gave us the details. "I will be driving the WW Motorsports #94 Dodge this weekend at Daytona. It’s a brand new super speedway car of mine that has never been on the track, so we are going down cold. We’ll be running a Joey Arrington restrictor plate engine in our Dodge. We anticipate doing some dyno testing this week in preparation for Daytona. We are pleased to have Racer’s Edge Sports Drink as our sponsor at Daytona. Our goal, obviously, is to make the field and to have a productive showing. We are planning to run at Chicago the following week in the Tropicana 400. After that, our schedule is not finalized."

Michigan Update
June 21, 2004 - Derrike gave us a rundown on what happened this past weekend in Michigan. Derrike said, "Qualifying did not go well. We had limited practice due to a problem with a severe tire rub which cost us one of our sets of tires. We also encountered a problem with the engine the whole time, until Happy Hour when we finally overcame the problem. Once the race started, we were on the rev limiter really hard which made me back out of the throttle way too early. We also had a right rear tire go down and had to pit, and while we were on pit road the caution came out putting us laps down.

"On the restart the car ran a few laps and then the engine misfired and then shut off, and the ignition boxes and the wiring were smoking like we were shorting out something. This ended our day. I was hoping for a better day but it was not to be."

Derrike and Arnold Motorsports Part Ways
June 2, 2004 - Derrike has informed us that he is no longer with Arnold Motorsports. He will still be in Dover with the #49 Advil Ford and is currently working on what he will be doing in Nextel Cup in the near future. Derrike assured us, "I will keep everyone updated as the weeks progress."

Derrike and Arnold Motorsports Part Ways
June 1, 2004 - There was an article about how Derrike and Arnold Motorsports have parted ways: http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/sports/article/0,2071,NPDN_15000_2931208,00.html

Charlotte Update from Derrike
May 31, 2004 - Derrike updated us with this past weekend's events. "As for the Coca-Cola 600, we had a decent qualifying lap considering it was only 38th quickest. We were a little too tight qualifying, but in practice leading up to qualifying we were 26th quickest and we were leery of loosing the car up too much and making a mistake in qualifying. We do not want to take provisionals!

"For the race the car was very loose to start! We knew we had to be fairly loose in starting the race to hopefully have enough adjustment for later in the evening; we just missed the setup a bit. Late in the race we had been loose and Newman had apparently lost power. I had a run on him going into turn one and he drove in back hard along side me and it took the air off my spoiler and we got loose and slid up into him. So it was not really a good night but, we will try harder in Dover.

"Looks like right now that we will be testing for one day at Pocono on Thursday, and go straight to Dover."

Nextel Open Update
May 26, 2004 - Derrike informed us what happened last weekend during the Nextel Open. "We started the practice for the Open in very hot conditions with the Bristol car. We were very loose the whole time and even during qualifying. We ran a decent lap in qualifying, but I had hoped for better.

"We started the race with no practice laps as everyone did and we had made some adjustments for being loose and got the car pretty tight in the process. The Trucks had already raced and with the cooler conditions we were just to tight and the car would not turn. We managed to miss the wreck on the start which which I was thankful for because of Geico who sponsored us for the event, as well as we got a bit of a chance to adjust the car which we did make better. A 10th place finish was not what I had hoped we would produce, but we learned some things for this weekend and the 600.

"We will be taking the Texas car, which is my favorite, so I am expecting good things in qualifying Thursday night. Wish us luck!

"We will be qualifying on Friday afternoon with the #49 Advil Ford, as well as making an appearance in Charlotte at Speed Street after qualifying from 6:30-8:30. Hope to see you there!"

Richmond Update
May 16, 2004 - Earlier today we spoke with Derrike regarding the Nextel Cup race this past weekend. "Unfortunately, we had limited practice to prepare for Saturday night’s Cup race due to a couple of issues. First, we experienced brake problems similar to what we encountered at Martinsville. In Happy Hour we had a problem with the left front tire coming off of the track surface when accelerating. It seemed like the car was bound up. Mike and our crew worked hard and successfully to address this problem for the race. However, the lack of practice really hurt us considering that the track had been resurfaced and that the track characteristics had radically changed. In qualifying the car was extremely loose and as a result we had to take a provisional. In the race the car started off tight. Mike and the crew kept adjusting throughout the race to improve our handling. Once again, the Fitz Bradshaw boys did excellent work in the pits. We got caught in the pits during an early caution which hurt us considerably in terms of our finish. I am really proud of our team, their commitment, and the professional manner that they handle adversity. All things considered, we had a productive night with our finish. Personally, I’m still working hard on sponsorship for our team. I continue to regularly talk to companies to raise money to elevate the quality of our program. Our team has the heart and motivation and with additional resources we know what we can accomplish."

California Update
May 5, 2004 - From his office earlier today, Derrike commented on the past weekend’s races in California. "Our Cup car was decent off of the truck. In practice we broke the motor and as a result we weren’t able to do a bonsai run prior to qualifying. Nevertheless, we qualified for the race on speed. In race trim during practice we were tight. However, on race day we were really loose to start the race. The team responded well in addressing handling issues throughout the race. We were constantly adjusting as the heat made us really loose during the race. They made the right adjustments enabling us to stay on the lead lap until late in the race when we had to stop for gas under green. That cost us several positions. We just didn’t have the outcome that we had hoped for. We were really pleased to have the folks at Bennett Lane Winery as our sponsor. They are a great group and we are looking forward to representing them again at Sonoma with P.J. behind the wheel."

Derrike will be making a personal appearance on May 24th at Knights Castle as a part of the Harris Teeter Race Fest. Also, Derrike will be at Speed Street in Charlotte from 6-8pm on May 28th.

Sponsor Announcement
April 28, 2004 - Bennett Lane Winery, a boutique wine maker that produces classic wines in Napa Valley, California will sponsor the #50 Arnold Motorsports Dodge for this Sunday’s Auto Club 500. Later this season they will again be sponsoring the team at the Dodge/Save Mart 350. Discussing the two race sponsorship deal Derrike said, "I’m pleased to be associated with Randy and Lisa Lynch, the owners of Bennett Lane Winery. Our goal is to represent them well in their home state of California. Actually, P.J. Jones brought the sponsorship deal to us. He’s a great talent and a friend of mine. I will be driving at Fontana this weekend and P.J. will drive at Sonoma."

Pictures of the #50 Bennett Lane Winery car can be seen in Picture Gallery 110.

Martinsville Update
April 20, 2004 - Earlier today we spoke with Derrike regarding Martinsville last weekend and the upcoming races at Talladega. "Martinsville was certainly not our best effort of the year. We missed it and just didn’t have what we needed. We just weren’t up to par. Sometimes you just have days like that. Based on our experience at Martinsville, we will do a short track test prior to the Richmond race. We were pleased to have Local Speed Internet as our sponsor at Martinsville. That was a one race deal for starters. Hopefully, folks will sign up with them for an ISP. They are a good group of folks with a good product."

Derrike will be driving in Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 Busch race and will be piloting the #50 Arnold Motorsports Dodge in The Aaron’s 499 Cup Race Sunday at Talladega. Derrike is leaving for Talladega tomorrow and shared his thoughts regarding these high bank speedway races. "We will be driving a new car at Talladega in the cup race and it looks great. I am excited to get behind the wheel. We are looking forward to a strong showing, both in qualifying and in Sunday’s race. I am pleased with our Busch car also. I think that we have a good motor combination for Talladega. Our goal is to have a strong qualifying run Thursday and represent Advil well with a strong performance Saturday."

Texas Update
April 5, 2004 - Earlier today we spoke with Derrike and got his perspective on this past weekend’s Nextel Cup race. "Our Cup car was good off of the truck. Although we made the race on speed, I overdrove the car in qualifying. Nevertheless, we were solidly in the field. After Happy Hour Mike (Hillman) and the crew made some chassis changes for the race Sunday and as a result the car was great. It was very loose for the first ten to fifteen laps after changing tires and then it really came into its’ own. Mike and I have excellent communication and he really understands what I need in the handling of a race car. As you could see we were really strong in the early race.

"We ran out of gas just prior to a pit stop and had to push the car to get it fired. Also, we had to return to pit road for a drive through penalty. That whole episode put us down a couple of laps. Later in the race we had an exhaust blowout right over the U joint. That heated up the drive shaft and caused tremendous vibration. We made an attempt to repair it, but couldn’t get the problem fixed and so we had to park it. Sunday served to reinforce that we are a solid race team. I must say that it’s great to be racing well again. We are a team deserving of sponsorship. This Sunday is another race at Martinsville and we are looking forward to a strong performance there."

Bristol Update
March 30, 2004 - Earlier today we talked with Derrike upon his return from yesterday’s bird hunting outing in South Carolina. Describing the day, Derrike said, “I had not been shooting in probably ten years and was pleased to hit the first target when we shot skeet. Later in the field we got both Quail and Chukar. I had a great day. It brought back some special memories as my dad and I did a lot of hunting together. It’s something that I will definitely do again.”

On the race front, Derrike shared the following regarding his runs at Bristol and Texas this weekend. “In Cup qualifying I was intent on turning another fast lap and got back into the throttle a little early and lost it. Mike and the crew did a super job of preparing our backup car. I hated to put them through that. In the race we had a solid performance and overall raced pretty well. The car was tight all day. We kept adjusting on it throughout the race. The Fitz-Bradshaw crew did a good job with our pit stops. I am delighted with our team, their attitude and work ethic. Mike is a superb crew chief. We are running strong engines. The key for us is to secure sponsor funding. That will enable us to enhance what we can do."

Derrike will be running in this week’s Busch and Cup races at Texas. Regarding the upcoming weekend, Derrike commented, “Texas is a fast track with a lot of grip. I like that kind of place. Running in both races gives me some extra seat time which I find to be an advantage. Hopefully, we’ll get good starting positions for both races. One thing for sure, we’ll give it our best shot.”

Darlington Update
March 23, 2004 - Derrike gave us an update from this past weekend. "As for the Cup effort...it went well. Right off the truck the car was extremely good right from the start. We ended up 23rd fastest at the end of the practice session. In qualifying, the car felt really good. Mike Hillman made some changes that the car really liked. I was able to get through turn two wide open and carried a lot of momentum into turn three where the car pushed a little. I was able to get back to the gas quickly and got a great lap out of it.

"In Happy Hour the car was good on long runs, so we were optimistic for Sunday. The race went pretty well all day. The car was not as quick on new tires, but on the long run we were very good! We raced hard all day long and was able to keep the car of the wall for the most part. So a good effort on everybody's part. I have to say how impressed I am with Mike Hillman and all my guys with the job they are doing preparing the cars. The Mike Egge engines are making great horsepower...all we need now is some SPONSORSHIP!!!!! Don Arnold and everyone associated with this organization are very special people so if there is any company that is looking for a great opportunity in NEXTEL CUP RACING that is cost-effective they need to call us. Next up Bristol...looking forward to it! Talk to you next week. Thanks for all the great support. It sure is wonderful to be racing...and competitive as well."

Carolina Dodge Dealers 400
March 15, 2004 - Look for Derrike in the #50 Dodge this weekend in Darlington. Anticipating the upcoming race Derrike said, "I expect that we will take the same car to Darlington as we ran in Atlanta Sunday. We are looking forward to Sunday and building on our experience during the first four races this season. Clearly, we continue to improve in our program, although Sunday’s finish didn’t help us in the points. We continue to aggressively pursue sponsorship."

Derrike gave the following summary of Sunday’s race at Atlanta. "Overall, we were quick off of the truck. We were perhaps a little aggressive in qualifying trim and as a result we didn’t turn the speed in qualifying that we had hoped for. In the race the car was good in the middle and top of the track. We were loose, but pretty good on long runs. We put a rubber in the right front in the pits which helped our handling. Actually, after that we were picking cars off and moving forward. All was well until we broke a rod. Overall, what we are doing as a team was positively reinforced Sunday. I was really impressed with our crew and there ability to fix handling issues during our pit stops. We’re building a new car for Texas and are optimistic as we look ahead to future races."

Redneckjunk.com Sponsor
March 14, 2004 - NASCAR officials on Saturday told Naples-based Arnold Motorsports that it would have to remove the logos of its primary sponsor, Redneckjunk.com, from Derrike Cope's No. 50 Dodge. NASCAR said through spokesperson Herb Branham: "We just didn't feel like that projected the proper image of our sport." Redneckjunk.com sells used sporting goods and auto parts.

Looking Forward to Atlanta
March 10, 2004 - Look for Derrike and the Arnold Motorsports #50 Dodge team this weekend in Atlanta at Sunday’s Golden Corral 500. Derrike and the team are optimistic going into this weekend’s race. Earlier today we spoke with Derrike and he said, "We are really looking forward to Atlanta based on last week and our performance in races to date this year. Obviously we have encountered some issues, but as a team we have handled them well and clearly are benefiting from our experience. We are taking the same car to Atlanta that we ran last week in Las Vegas. That car has really good tendencies. All in all we are on the road to having some really good things happen for our program. I like the track at Atlanta and expect that we will qualify well and run well there in the race."

Summing up Sunday’s outing in Las Vegas, Derrike shared some details, "We had only three laps of practice when the motor broke and therefore had to qualify with a new car that I had only driven for three laps. Considering that, we ran a decent qualifying lap and used a rather conservative setup due to our abbreviated practice. Due to the engine change we started the race in the back of the pack. We got a lap down early and lost another lap when we got caught in the pits under caution. That cost us several spots at the finish. We made a lot of changes during the race and as a result the car was strong particularly during the middle of the race. Tire wear was a problem late in the run. Actually, we finished the race with a right front tire worn down to the cords. We backed off during the last couple of laps hoping not to blow that tire. Also, we lost third gear mid-race which hurt us on restarts. The boys from CLR did a super job with our pit stops. We are taking this car to Atlanta this weekend. I was pleased with the way the car ran and our engine was strong."

Derrike also commented on Saturday’s Busch finish. "First, we were pleased that we got into the race on speed with the Advil Ford. That is a goal for our team. Probably our chassis setup was too conservative and as a result the car was tight throughout the race. The car ran hot during the race. To address that, we had to remove tape from the nose which then compounded the handling problem. For our next run we will be working on improving our pit stops and developing more aggressive setups."

The Rock
February 23, 2004 - Looking back on the Subway 400 on Sunday, Derrike summarized their effort. "We experienced brake problems in practice which cut significantly into our practice time. We had some balance issues that we tried to address. As a result, we didn't attempt a bonsai run in practice. However, the car was loose in qualifying and loose in the race. Early in the race we lost our power steering. We fixed it mid-race, but then it went out again. Considering that we drove most of the race without power steering we were pleased with our finish. Our team works really hard preparing for races and at the track. I couldn't be prouder of these guys. We continue to look for a sponsor so that we can expand our operation and increase our options for testing, etc. We're battling hard, and working well together as a team."

Regarding Saturday's Busch Race, Derrike commented, "We had several issues to address in practice with the car and as a result we didn't make a practice qualifying run. Considering that, we had a decent qualifying effort. We experienced a bad drive train problem early in the race and decided to pull our car behind the wall. I am confident that we will have a productive effort in Las Vegas."

Derrike Optimistic For Daytona
January 30, 2004 - Derrike leaves for Daytona next week and earlier today we had the opportunity to talk with him regarding Daytona and the 2004 season. Derrike commented, "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.

"Last week we had our first testing session with our down force car at Las Vegas. Overall, we were pleased with the results from this session and the information that we acquired. We have some balance issues to address with our down force car. I feel that the data we accumulated in this session will enable us to rectify those issues. The testing sessions afforded me the opportunity to work extensively with the #50 team. I am impressed with how this young team has come together, with their hard work and their focus. Mike Hillman, our crew chief, brings a wealth of experience to our team."

News Articles
January 18, 2004 - About Derrike: http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/sp_columnists/article/0,2071,NPDN_14991_2585389,00.html.  About Don Arnold: http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040118/NEWS/401180712/1200

Daytona Testing
January 15, 2004 - In the final day of practice on Thursday, in the morning Derrike was 17th fastest with a time of 48.415 and speed of 185.893. In the afternoon practice, he was 19th fastest with a time of 48.347 and speed of 186.154. In the cumulative times he was 32nd fastest of 45 drivers with a time of 48.347 and speed of 186.154.

In Wednesday's morning practice, Derrike was 20th fastest with a time of 48.721 and speed of 184.725. In the afternoon practice, he was also 20th fastest with a time of 48.429 and speed of 185.839.

In Tuesday's morning practice, Derrike was 17th fastest with a time of 48.639 and speed of 185.037. In the afternoon practice, he was 22nd fastest with a time of 48.760 and speed of 184.578.

There was an article in the Daytona Beach News-Journal about Derrike: http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Speed/WinstonCup/03SpeedNEXT01011504.htm

There was also an article in the Naples Daily News: http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/sports/article/0,2071,NPDN_15000_2577808,00.html

Naples Daily News
January 11, 2004 - There was an update on Derrike and Don Arnold at the Naples Daily News: http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/sp_columnists/article/0,2071,NPDN_14991_2567759,00.html

Derrike to Team with Arnold Motorsports
January 7, 2004 - Derrike told us that he will be teaming with Arnold Motorsports and driving the #50 Dodge for the Nextel Cup season. Derrike said, "We currently have two very nice speedway cars that will be ready for the test sessions at Daytona next week. We test Jan. 13, 14, 15. Also we will be testing for two days in Las Vegas later this month on the 26th and 27th."

2004 Nextel Cup Season
November 25, 2003 - As you know we are in the transition period for the 2004 Nextel Cup inaugural season. Looking ahead Derrike indicated, "We have a number of things going on right now in preparation for the 2004 season. When we get our plans finalized for the upcoming season we will be making announcements of the specifics on our website."