Derrike Cope Fan Club
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1997
Live Report

DeVilbiss 400

August 17, 1997
Brooklyn, MI

 DeVilbiss 400
The SKITTLES® team's last trip to Michigan brought them their first and, so far, only top-10 finish of the season. They'd love to match that performance -- at least -- this weekend. Derrike Cope's eighth-place finish at the 1997 Miller 400 was his third top-10 finish at the 2-mile track, and 31st overall.

"We're taking the same car back to Michigan that gave the SKITTLES® race team its first top-10 finish," said Derrike, who won the Exide All Charged Up Award in that race for advancing the most spots from his starting to finishing position. "That top-10 finish definitely has been one of the highlights of the season. I enjoyed running with the front pack and challenging drivers like Dale Earnhardt. I welcome the opportunity again this weekend."

"I'm ready to qualify in the top 25," continued Derrike, whose best qualifying effort at Michigan came last year when he started in the second spot. "The team has been working harder and concentrating more on first day qualifying. With a better starting position, I'm sure we can run even better and finish higher."

The SKITTLES® Pontiac ran well last time we went to Michigan and Derrike was able to move through the pack fairly easy," said first-year crew chief Ryan Pemberton. "We're confident that we can perform as well this weekend both in the pits and on the track."

In first round qualifying, Derrike was the 11th on the track and produced a time of 39.587 with a speed of 181.878 for what was then 4th fastest. At the end of the round, the team was able to find the top-25 again for a starting position of 16th.

This is where Derrike was during the race among the 43 cars:

  • 11th position - lap 5 of 200
  • 15th - lap 25
  • 37th - lap 66 (The window net on the car came down and Derrike had to pit it in order to put it up. This put the car one lap down.)
  • 35th - lap 72 (Caution came out because of rain and restarted on lap 114)
  • 16th - lap 118 (Derrike back on the lead lap. Caution came out again because of rain on lap 124.)
  • 2nd - lap 148 (Still under caution. During the caution ESPN showed the team throwing SKITTLES® candy to the crowd.)
  • 13th - lap 156 (Restarted after caution)
  • 12th - lap 162 (Caution out for Robby Gordon)
  • 15th - lap 170
  • 16th - lap 185

Derrike finished the race in 16th position. Derrike remained 28th in the point standings.

Start Finish Status Winston
Cup
Points		 Money
Won		 Standing
16 16 Running 115 $22,015 28

A fan was at the race and provided a live report. A Fan's Live Report
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