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1997
Live Report

Goody's Headache Powder 500

April 20, 1997
Martinsville, VA

 Goody's 500
Derrike aims to improve upon last week's season-best finish when he takes to the ever-challenging Martinsville Speedway this weekend. His best finish at the half-mile track came just 1 1/2 years ago when he placed ninth at the 1995 Goody's 500.

"Track position is crucial at Martinsville since the track is so small," said Derrike, who tested at Martinsville a few weeks ago. "We were trying to simulate our qualifying efforts since this field is so hard to make. I feel good about our test session and truly believe we'll have a good race car come Sunday."

"Martinsville is a very rhythmic race track and you can either over or under drive it very easily," continued Derrike. "During testing we worked on getting the team and myself acclimated to this race track in the Pontiac and figure out the car's tendencies by applying different combinations and set ups."

Derrike finished first round qualifying in 24th for the team's best starting position of the season.

This is where Derrike was during the race among the 42 car field:

  • 23rd position - lap 37 of 500 laps
  • 20th - lap 126
  • 24th - lap 160 (went one lap down)
  • 25th - lap 195
  • 30th - lap 221 (Joe Nemechek hit Derrike from behind and caused him to spin and lose more positions and another lap. Fortunately, there was not much damage to the car and Derrike was able to continue.)
  • 29th - lap 319 (Derrike was following Sterling Marlin and a bunch of traffic and a little bumping between Marlin and Derrike happened. Derrike was then able to pass Jimmy Spencer and Dale Earnhardt who were running in 14th and 15th, which shows that the car was doing well. It was just unfortunate that he got spun earlier to push him back in the field.)
  • 28th - lap 342 (Derrike and Dick Trickle got together with the SKITTLES® Pontiac receiving damage to the front end. This required bringing the car behind the wall to fix an oil leak.)
  • 36th - lap 349 (12 laps down. The team was able to get the car back on the track to pick up some critical points)
  • 35th - lap 410 (Johnny Benson hit Derrike in the rear causing the car to spin into water barrels at the entrance to the backstretch pit road. Derrike brought the car behind the wall for repairs and once again got back on the track quickly.)

Derrike was able to finish the race in 34th position. Because of his tough day, Derrike received the Goody's Headache Award for the day.

Start Finish Status Winston
Cup
Points		 Money
Won		 Standing
24 34 Running 61 $11,140 38

Pete and Liz Rosendahl were at the race. Check out their report.
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