Pepsi 400

July 5, 1997
Daytona, FL

Derrike, always a strategist, recognizes that he will have to alter his plans from February's race. "Drafting plays a different role during the Pepsi 400 than the Daytona 500," said Derrike. "I'm seeing good things from the SKITTLES® team and am anxious to get into the driver's seat for the second half of the season."

"We now have a foundation to build from, whereas there were so many unknowns when we came to Daytona five months ago," said crew chief Ryan Pemberton. "We had dropped a cylinder early in the California race but still managed to finish better than those with engine problems and gain on some drivers in the points standings."

First round qualifying for the Pepsi 400 in Daytona took place and Derrike ended up in 28th position. The team decided to stand on their time and after second round qualifying, still were in 28th position where they started the race.

Derrike and the SKITTLES® crew got an unusual amount of air time and announcer mentions this week as he ran a good race, moving up to the 'teens fast and staying there much of the race. However, when the need for information was most crucial, after the #24 lost it and forced Derrike into the infield grass, the announcers could only talk about the #24. After making two good moves during accidents right in front of him, Derrike was unable to avoid the last incident.

This is where Derrike was during the race:

• 25th position - lap 3 of 160
• 16th - lap 18 (K. Schrader "leans" on the outside wall)
• 16th - lap 27 (Derrike passes J. Burton on the high side)
• 12th - lap 33 (Yellow flag. Spencer/Skinner incident in front of Derrike. Derrike in 8th at restart)
• 13th - lap 58
• 11th - lap 60 (passes J. Gordon on the high side)
• 13th - lap 89 (green flag pit stops)
• 10th - lap 103
• 9th - lap 106 (Derrike passes Earnhardt, T. Labonte)
• 9th - lap 108 (Schrader hits the wall good, yellow flag, the SKITTLES® team takes 2 tires as does the #6. Derrike restarts in 4th.)
• 10th - lap 120
• 10th - lap 125 (Jeff Gordon went into the wall and came back across the track. Fortunately Derrike missed him but he had to go into the grass to do so. On trying to get the car back on the track, Derrike had to spin twice and was finally able to right the car to keep going. No mention by the broadcasters if the SKITTLES® team pitted. Live report: they did as they had to close the roof flap especially.)
• 27th - lap 129
• 20th - lap 149

With a late caution on lap 155, there was thought that the race would end under caution. Derrike was in 15th position. Then it was announced that there would be one final lap which meant everybody would give everything they had. After turn 3, there was a major accident in front of Derrike. Unfortunately, Derrike got collected by Ward Burton's car coming off the wall. This left Derrike with a finishing position of 28th where he started.

It was reported that everyone was fine except for Ward Burton who would be staying overnight in the hospital. However, Derrike did end up biting his tongue and hurting his shoulder. Derrike was very lucky that he was able to turn the wheel a little when he was about to hit Ward, or he would have hit him head on. The car is a mess, but they will work to fix it and it should be done by the October Talladega race with a couple months to spare.

The Orlando newspaper reported Derrike as saying concerning the final lap and mishap, "They had a great race, and then they had to go and do that to the race. I don't understand their thinking. It bothers me. We're racers, and we're going to go out there and dig for the hole. You don't like it to end under the yellow, but dadgum, it was a great race all day long and a great new winner. What more can they ask for? The guy that made that call ought to be whipped."

Thanks to Jeff Gutshall for volunteering to provide this week's race report. Jeff Cope was at the race providing daily live reports. Live Report