Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400

September 6, 1997
Richmond, VA

Derrike's Winston Cup career spans 15 years beginning on the now closed road course at Riverside, Calif., on November 21, 1982. However, it was at his 71st Winston Cup start that Cope made his mark in the racing world when he won the prestigious Daytona 500 while driving for Bob Whitcomb.

His racing career began after he injured his knee playing baseball, ending his chances to become a major league catcher. He quickly turned to racing, the only other thing he knew, having grown up working on cars with his brother and father, who was a professional drag racer. It was his father who influenced him the most when deciding on a career and what paths to take.

"My father was a great source of guidance to me in those early years and continues to be a factor today," said Derrike, who first started his NASCAR career on the west coast, winning the title Winston West Rookie of the Year in 1984. "My father first stressed the importance of education and then helped guide my racing career. I grew up watching him win drag races and learning what it was like to be a winner."

Throughout his Winston Cup career, Derrike Cope has earned 31 top-10 finishes, including an eighth-place finish this season during the Miller 400 at Michigan. He also has claimed two outside pole positions, in the 1996 UAW-GM Teamwork 500 in Pocono and the 1996 Miller 400 in Michigan.

During the Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway this past weekend, Derrike marked one of the best finishes of the season for the SKITTLES® crew, completing the grueling 4-hour race in 14th place in spite of the intense heat that caused burns on his back and leg.

"This was one of the hottest races I've ever competed in," said Derrike, who remains in the 29th spot in the Winston Cup points standings. "The SKITTLES® crew helped cool me down in the car by giving me ice and plenty of water during pit stops. We had to put foam behind my back because the seat got so hot - that's what caused the burns. But all in all, it was a good race and I'm glad we finished fairly well."

In first round qualifying, Derrike was the 42nd car on the track among the 47 cars to qualify and produced a time of 21.833 and speed of 123.666. This put the team in 18th position and after the round of qualifying, fell to 19th position. After qualifying, Derrike mentioned that they had a made a mistake and were a little too tight.

This is where Derrike was during the race among the 42 cars:

• 16th position - lap 16 of 400
• 13th - lap 25
• 11th - lap 67
• 16th - lap 89
• 27th - lap 120 (after green flag pit stops, 1 lap down)
• 23rd - lap 156
• 22nd - lap 217
• 25th - lap 275
• 17th - lap 326 (green flag pit stops were happening)
• 23rd - lap 348
• 17th - lap 379

Derrike finished the race in 16th position, 2 laps down. He was able to make up some positions at the end of the race, including moving from 17th to 16th about two laps from the end. With the finish, Derrike moved ahead one spot in the point standings to 28th.

Carol Dignazio, Patty Leizear, and Angela Walker were at the race and provided a live report.