Derrike Cope to Bahari' Racing

"I really am excited about this," Derrike said in confirming the deal. "I've tried to stay at places, and I'm not known for moving around a lot -- I just had to at times due to circumstances. I believe in staying and working through the problems, as long as everyone is open-minded and receptive to listening and making an effort to try to get better." The stability of Rider's operation was a big selling point with Cope.

"I had enormous confidence in (crew chief) Doug (Hewitt) and was comfortable with the idea of working with him. Once I sat down and we talked things over, I decided that's where I wanted to be," continued Derrike. "Their team's being together for a long time was definitely a factor ... they've not had a lot of turnover and I like that."

"I spent a lot of time with Doug and Chuck Rider talking about things: Where they're at and where I've been as a driver, with some of the things that have gone on," Derrike said. "I was trying to sort out my thoughts, and between us we were trying to figure out why things haven't gone well in my situation and in theirs before I got into another situation that might be questionable. I wanted to pick a program that I could work with long term."

While Derrike said he quite seriously contemplated forming his own team, the tight, efficient unity of Bahari' was not lost on him. "The sport is a little diluted right now and trying to find quality personnel was a problem, so the timing wasn't right," Derrike said of his decision to opt for the known quantity. "I've known Doug and (engine builder) Ron Puryear a long time. They're a quiet bunch and I like that.

"I've never actually worked with Doug at all but he worked at Allison's, and when I was there and listened to (crew chief) Jimmy Fennig and (engine man) Keith Almond talk about Doug, it was always positive. They always wanted to try and get him to come back with us, and his son worked with us at Allison's."

In particular, Bahari's performance in 1997 is a big plus in Derrike's eyes. "You have to look at what they've done this season, how they're up in the points," he said. "I want to show up and do the job, to finish races, and their equipment does finish races.

"I want to be one of those guys who stay involved with the crew and has a lot of input into the car. I want to be at the shop, working on shock absorbers and being involved in decisions about the car. I don't want to tell them what to do, but I want to know what they're doing and to help in that process. I didn't really have that opportunity where I'm at now, but that's the way it was at Bobby Allison's.

"We'll (30 team) keep our heads down and work collectively and dig hard and be silently effective. That was pretty much the same as what we did with the 12 car (Bobby Allison Motorsports)."

The addition of Leavitt was one issue that weighed heavily in the deal for Cope. "I believe in his chassis and I've wanted to utilize his chassis, but until now I haven't had the opportunity," said Derrike of the respected chassis man, who has secured his release from Kranefuss/Haas Racing, where he's built cars for Jeremy Mayfield's run at the top-10 in NASCAR Winston Cup Series points. "Doug and Chuck have been contemplating doing their own cars, but the timing was not right until now, and the variables have just come together."

While Bahari' Racing sponsor Pennzoil has said it will back rookie driver Steve Park in 1998, Rider has contended that Pennzoil will honor the remaining year on its contract with his team, possibly with another of its line of products.

Bahari' Racing has a state-of-the-art 40,000 sq. ft. shop located in Mooresville, NC.