Pepsi 400 Live Report by Bob Cope

My dad and I arrived in Daytona at approximately 11:00am. We immediately headed over to the souvenir trailers. Some weren't open yet, but dad got himself a nice new NASCAR hat and I got a friend a 24 t-shirt. We headed across the street to the mall where we had a big lunch at Picadilly Cafe. After lunch I got on the phone and sat in on a meeting at work while dad went back to the truck and had himself a good nap.

We went into the track and found some good seats across from where the cars come out onto pit road. Practice started at 3:00 and Derrike made his first appearance at around 3:40. It didn't take long for him to report that "It's loose and I can't drive it". Anyone who has been to a race and had a scanner has heard Derrike say this before.

He brought the car in and they made some adjustments. I didn't hear too much, but it sounded like they were going to put it on the scales and do some weight adjustments. It also sounded like they were going to try some different shocks. When he came back out again, he ran for a long time without saying much. The rain came and so did the red flag. Derrike reported that the car felt much better and was "just a little tight coming off". He said he could run high or low and it felt pretty good even though some air upset it a little when he was around other cars.

We didn't wait for the track to dry and headed over to Hops for some dinner. By the time we were done, it was time to go in for second round qualifying and Happy Hour. There weren't too many cars in second round qualifying and again the rain came a couple of times to break up the show. The rain was light, so it didn't take much to dry the track. It was good to see the local driver Dan Pardus run well and get the 26th starting spot.

Happy Hour started at 7:30 and many cars were ready to go. The sun was down by then and the lights were looking awesome! Jeff Gordon led a pack for awhile and Derrike came out on the track and let the pack catch up to him. Derrike then led the pack for many laps. He eventually let Gordon go underneath him and the pack ran 2 by 2 for a few laps. Derrike came in and got a tire test and they were going to change the plugs and get a plug check. He said that the car was steering well. Right after he came back out on the track the rain came yet again. Derrike didn't get a chance to get a plug check.

Happy Hour was only 30 minutes long, but most of the people were leaving because the rain was hard this time. It would take a long time to dry the track if they were going to continue. We left as well, knowing that Derrike seemed to be happy with the car and knowing that he can lead the pack. Now, we will have to see if he can make his way to the front from 13th.

Editors note: Derrike was 9th fastest in Happy Hour with a time of 47.232 and speed of 190.548.