Derrike Cope Fan Club
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1997
Live Report

Coca-Cola 600

May 25, 1997
Concord, NC

 Coca-Cola 600
The team will apply valuable information learned on the car set-up from the Winston Open to the grueling 400-lap race of the Coca-Cola 600. "During the Winston Open, I began to try different grooves on the track," said Derrike. "We continue to learn more about the SKITTLES® Pontiac and used the Winston Open as a lesson for the Coca-Cola 600."

"With a third of the season over, we have learned enough to determine what the SKITTLES® Pontiac needs for various tracks," said Derrike. "Now it's just a matter of applying what we have learned. We are on the brink of something big. If Talladega is any barometer on how we'll do in Charlotte, than I can't wait to get strapped into the #36 SKITTLES® Pontiac to race on the fast track at Charlotte Motor Speedway."

Fans were able to meet Derrike and ask him questions on Saturday, May 24, at the Coca-Cola area known as "Speed Trap" at the Food Lion Speed Street in downtown Charlotte.

In first round qualifying on Wed., Derrike and the SKITTLES® Pontiac were the first car on the track and took the qualifying lap at a speed of 181.812 for a starting position of 24th.

The team started 24th and used pit number 9 during the race. This is where Derrike was among the 42 car field during the race:

  • 16th position - lap 6 of 333
  • 15th - lap 55 (Pit stops occurred during a caution because of debris on the track. The car lost two spots in the pits.)
  • 17th - lap 58
  • 10th - lap 69
  • 14th - lap 112 (Pit stops occurred during caution. The car lost three spots in the pits.)
  • 17th - lap 114
  • 19th - lap 130
  • 14th - lap 152 (Derrike bounced off the wall but was able to hold on)
  • 18th - lap 160
  • 25th - lap 176
  • 20th - lap 180 (Pit stops occurred after this. Because of a chance of rain, the team took only two tires and was able to come out in 13th.)
  • 11th - lap 195
  • Caution came out because of rain, but not yet at the halfway point which would mean an official race. After 2-1/2 hours of rain delay, the race continued after a number of caution laps to ensure the track was ready for racing.
  • 25th - lap 224
  • 21st - lap 234
  • 11th - lap 243
  • 8th - lap 280
  • 5th - lap 302
  • 15th - lap 306 (Pit stops occurred before this)

Derrike finished the rain delayed race in 12th position for the team's best finish of the season. The race was shortened from 400 laps to 333 because of the rain delay. Derrike moved up three spots in the point standings to 31.

After the race, Derrike said, "I would have loved to have raced all 600 miles. The SKITTLES® Pontiac ran strong throughout the race and kept moving steadily to the front."

Start Finish Status Winston
Cup
Points		 Money
Won		 Standing
24 12 Running 127 $36,350 31

Jeff Gutshall was at the race and provided a live report. Jeff's report
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