Bahari' Racing Hires Cope, Chassis Builder

In addition to hiring Cope, Bahari' co-owner Chuck Rider announced the hiring of chassis builder Steve Leavitt to oversee the in-house construction of new cars at the Bahari' shop.

"First off, we think Derrike Cope is a driver capable of getting to victory lane and that is why we hired him," said Rider. "We feel his experience, with more than 300 races, and our equipment should be a strong combination. Derrike is also a class individual who will represent our team as well as our sponsor in a very professional manner."

Cope, 39, signed a 3-year deal this week with Bahari' Racing. The Cornelius, North Carolina resident said his new team's consistency on the track as well as its plans for the future attracted him.

"This year, Bahari' Racing has shown the consistency needed to finish high in the points. Also, the commitment to hire Steve Leavitt shows that the team plans to keep improving. As a driver, improvement is really all that you ask for from a team," Cope said.

"I have a lot of experience and I know (crew chief) Doug Hewitt and (engine builder) Ron Puryear are two of the most respected people in the garage area; so to say I'm excited is an understatement."

Rider said the addition of Leavitt, makes Bahari' Racing one of a few teams in the Winston Cup Series to build its own cars and engines in the race shop. Rider said each team has to improve just to maintain its status in the ultra-competitive sport.

"This will make Bahari' Racing a totally self-sufficient racing operation and a contender in 1998 and beyond," Rider said. "Doug, Ron, and our team manager Dayne Pierantoni all believe signing Derrike and building our own chassis is the best strategy to pursue and will pay dividends."

Pennzoil, beginning the final year of a 3-year contract with Bahari' next year, plans an announcement before the end of the season regarding which of the Houston-based oil company's products or associates will sponsor the Mooresville, N.C. team in 1998.

This month, Pennzoil, marketer of America's No. 1-selling motor oil, and Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) signed a three-year agreement to field a Chevrolet Monte Carlo for rookie driver Steve Park on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit beginning at the 1998 Daytona 500.

Tom Floyd, Pennzoil's chief marketing officer, said Pennzoil will honor the final year of its commitment to Bahari' in 1998 and expects an announcement regarding sponsorship soon.

"We feel that Bahari' Racing made the right decision selecting Derrike Cope," Floyd said. "He is a proven winner and will bring his valuable experience to that team. We also think they are on the right track in building their chassis. I think they are looking to the future and that is the only way you can achieve success in this business."

Pennzoil has sponsored cars fielded by Bahari' Racing since 1991. Pennzoil is also one of this country's biggest supporters of motorsports, serving as the series sponsor for the Pennzoil World of Outlaws and the official motor oil of the Indy Racing League, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Brickyard 400, and New Hampshire International Speedway.