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Pocono 500June 8, 1997
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| Derrike Cope commented on the
progress the SKITTLES® team has made this season. "I'm very pleased about the way
this team has come together - this has definitely been a group effort. Although we still
have more to learn, the SKITTLES® Race Team has improved each week and I see this trend
continuing." "If I was a betting man, I'd pick this weekend for our best finish," continued Derrike. "I've always enjoyed the track at Pocono International Raceway. We'll be taking a new car with us this weekend and I look forward to our best qualifying effort this season." "The guys at the shop have worked real hard at preparing the SKITTLES® Pontiac for qualifying and the races," said Ryan Pemberton, crew chief. "We are hoping this trend of success continues and each week we can give Derrike the best possible car to win the race." Derrike came out for first round qualifying as the 41st driver and produced a time of 54.17 with a speed of 166.144 which put him in 24th position. Ward Burton and Dale Earnhardt came after him and bumped Derrike to the 26th position. The team stood on their time for the second round. Unfortunately, most drivers who requalified in the second round had faster times which pushed Derrike back to 38th position which was the last qualifying position. Drivers from 39th on had to take provisionals. The SKITTLES® Pontiac had trouble with the brakes all day long Friday including qualifying. When going across the tunnel turn, the car almost ended up in the fence one time. Even though the car starts further back in the field, the team feels they can come to the front once the race starts. This is where Derrike was during the race after starting 38th:
Derrike finished the race with a finish of 11th for the team's best finish of the year. The pit crew did an excellent job to get the car in and out fast, and most of the time gained track position with their speedy pit stops. Derrike won the Exide All Charged Up Award which is given for improving the most positions from the starting position to finish. Some fans have wondered why the team took four tires on the last pit stop which caused the car to lose positions. One thing to point out is that Jeff Gordon also took four tires and gas. Unfortunately, Derrike's pit stop was a little slower on the last one - 21 seconds vs. 19 seconds. The other thing to remember is that two teams took a gamble by either not taking any tires or just two, and the gamble paid off for them. If they had not been present, the SKITTLES® Pontiac would have had a top 10. As Derrike surmised before the race, he would have bet that today would be the SKITTLES® Racing Team's best finish of the year, and it was. Derrike Cope once again moved up in the point standings and now has reached the 20's with a position of 29th.
David Ronan and Mike Steele were at the race and both provided a live report after. Mike's Report, David's Report |
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