Las Vegas 400 Live Report by Carol Dignazio

Viva Las Vegas!!! Left for the Philadelphia Airport at 2 AM on Friday, February 27. Flight left Philly at 5:30 AM. Winging our way to Atlanta for a brief layover, I'm in a group of 13 family and friends ranging in age from 11 to 62. We're meeting one more friend in Las Vegas who's flying in on another flight. Although I'm the only official Derrike Cope Fan Club member in our group, I suspect that Derrike will be more in all of their thoughts as the season progresses (mostly because I never stop talking about him).

Flights are uneventful and we land in Las Vegas at about 9:50 on Friday, February 27. Pick up our rental vans and its off to Harrah's. The city is beautiful even during the day, although the glitz, lights and glitter of the evening is amazing as well! Our group doesn't head to qualifying, but we find a bar at the Hilton Flamingo with qualifying on TV. That's where we park ourselves! I look at the guy next to me and say, "Gee, I wish I was there," and then quickly realize, "I am here!!!" Derrike starting 9th, I'm so happy. Odds on Derrike winning the race improve immediately. Well, gambling IS legal here in Vegas ya know!

Friday night is "catch up on sleep" night since most of us have not slept in two days. Ahhhh, the life of a NASCAR fan!

Saturday morning, it's off to the Busch race. We arrive at 10 AM, the racing facility is beautiful. We're in time to see the end of W.C. practice, second round W.C. qualifying, a run by Tony Stewart's Indy car, and then the line-up for the Busch race. The sun is shining and there's a lovely breeze. The Busch race is an enjoyable one with good competition. Jimmy Spencer takes the win with the final lap messing up the track with a Randy Lajoie roof top spin. Practice is delayed for quite a while during the ensuing track clean up activities. At 4:30 we're ready for Happy Hour.

Derrike is first in line for practice and I get my first good look at the Gumout car. It's great looking! Derrike reports during practice that he's having difficulty seeing out of the windshield because of pitting. The crew goes to work and cleans it up. Derrike reports at various times that the car feels great going outside and that the car is tight. Doug Hewitt (crew chief) reports that many of the Busch cars had problems with the cars being loose all day, and gradually tightening up as the race progressed. Discussion follows about the need for track bar adjustment and Derrike complains that the car is "real heavy" in the wheel and "wicked tight." I hate to leave, but the rest of my group is heading for the parking lot. I wear my headset and listen as long as I can. The communication going on between Derrike and the crew sounds comfortable and professional. I'm so glad I'm here!

Saturday night is the big ribbon cutting ceremony for the Rusty Wallace and John Force "Elvis cars" at Caesar's Palace. Benny Parsons does the honors of introductions, and Priscilla Pressley presents Rusty and John with TCB (taking care of business) rings. Priscilla thinks John is Rusty, but, she's THE KING's widow, who's noticing???

Sunday morning we're off to the speedway. It's actually a motorsports complex with the World of Outlaws having raced on a second track on Friday night, and a smaller dirt track also on the grounds. We are in our seats at 11:10 and driver introductions take place. Derrike receives a very nice round of applause (or was that ringing in my ears?) and I certainly hope some of my pictures come out. It took us 1 1/2 hours to travel approximately 12 miles on our way to the track. I believe those who arrived later than we did, found the going much more difficult.

The race is underway at about 11:45 and Derrike is reporting the car to be "loose" and he is trying to get to the bottom of the track. It isn't surprising that the car is loose given the conditions the Busch drivers found yesterday. As the laps pass, Derrike continues to report a loose condition. He says he's having a tough time everytime he touches the throttle (and that's pretty much of the time I suspect). Discussion follows with air pressure and track bar adjustments suggested. By lap 49 Derrike indicates he is "doing all he can do" to hold the car. Lap 58 sees a pitstop under green. Derrike is a lap down on lap #73 in 40th position. Doug reports that he looks better on the watch this lap, but the car is varying from lap to lap. Derrike reports it's trying to roll out. "Turn 2 is better but it all depends on how I get off turn 4."

Lap 107 Derrike's moved up to 34th, and lap 113 finds a good pit stop. They consider doing a two tire stop, but decide that might hurt them, so 4 tires it is!

Lap 166 Derrike reports the car is "getting real bad, can't get on the throttle without problems." Lap 174, 4 tire stop with plastic taken off the windshield. The sun glaring out of turn 4 is a problem.

Derrike continues to hold the line in 31st position, and ends the race 3 laps down. Considering the challenges the crew faced, I'm pleased to see him finish there. Some of the other folks around me listening to other driver's/crew conversations report similar concerns and difficulties.

Following the race 38 Special provides a concert at the Start/Finish line and several entertainment stages are near the trailer area. It was a lovely day, and the folks at Las Vegas Speedway did a fine job. The prices are extremely high for food and beverage at the track, and they do not allow coolers, cans or bottles to be taken into the grandstand. If you are considering a trip to this track in the future, please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.

Note: Ernie Irvan scraped the wall with the Skittles/M&M #36 Pontiac. I understand that his pitstop following that incident was commented on by ABC as an "unscheduled pitstop." The #36 came down the frontstretch with smoke streaming out of the right side of the car, the unscheduled pitstop was to pull sheet metal from the tires. Just thought you might like to know that.

On the flight from Vegas, Chad Little and his family were on our flight, sitting some rows behind us. He was gracious to all who asked for an autograph and picture. We passed him, and expressed greetings several times in the airport in Atlanta where he was waiting for a connecting flight to Charlotte. A real nice guy and beautiful family!