California 500 presented by NAPA

May 2, 1999
Fontana, CA

(April 27, 1999) -- Jimmy Dean Pontiac driver Derrike Cope is hoping some sunshine will peep through the smog around California Speedway and put some light on his NASCAR Winston Cup fortunes in Sunday's California 500.

And if last year's run at California is any indication, Cope isn't just dreaming. After starting 32nd, Cope moved up to 12th and was closing in on the top-10 when he was sidelined by an accident on lap 153 of the 250-lap race. Cope wound up 39th.

"Chad Little was coming up on a slow car and the car below him moved up," Cope said. "He moved up into me and I crashed when I was forced up into the marbles in turn two. I had a good run going. We had an opportunity for a good finish. That's why I'm really looking forward to going back to California."

Reminiscent of famed Richard Petty's trademark characteristic of running the high groove, Cope found success on the top groove at the two-mile superspeedway.

"We kept making runs to the front," Cope said. "The car worked very well on the outside. I was really disappointed after the crash. I drove aggressively and looking back on things, maybe that wasn't the best time to press the issue, but we were in desperate need of a good run and I was going to give it my all."

This marks NASCAR's third visit to California and Cope still marvels at Roger Penske's speedway bastion in a land known for its industrial look.

"There's really not much to look at around that region, and then, all of a sudden -- boom -- there's this beautiful race track," Cope said. "It's just a real industrial area and the race track is the prettiest piece of real estate around. I have enormous respect for Roger Penske. His attention to detail is uncanny. He has a first-class track. I think it's a dynamite facility."

And Cope certainly hopes to finish with a bang in the Jimmy Dean Pontiac.

INCE HIRED BY BAHARI': James Ince, former crew chief for Ted Musgrave last season and Kevin Lepage this year before resigning, has been hired as a consultant for owner Chuck Rider's Jimmy Dean Pontiac team this weekend. Derrike Cope, the 1990 Daytona 500 champion and native of San Diego, is the driver.

"Chuck called me and I didn't have anything going and he asked if I would come over and consult with them a little bit," Ince said. "This is a good race team and they're just trying to get through a few problems to get themselves in a better competitive position. Basically, I'm just here to help. I'll try to answer any questions they have and give them any input I have to make this program a little bit better.

"I've actually been able to stay home the last few weeks playing with my kid. I've got a 10-month old son, so I've enjoyed that a whole lot. It's been nice to have a chance to do that. I don't have any kind of magic to just instantly turn this team around. I'm just here to give any help that I can offer. Maybe there's nothing I can do for these guys that they aren't already doing. I'm looking at it as an opportunity to help Chuck out. I was at the shop a couple of days this week and I wish I had had more time to spend with the guys. But I have spent some time with (crew chief) Dan Glauz, Chuck, and Derrike. Hopefully, I can benefit them some."

First round qualifying was rained out and all qualifying was then cancelled. Positions 1-35 of the starting lineup was based on owner's points and positions 36-43 were based on the postmarks of the drivers' entry blanks. Based on that fact, Derrike will be starting the race in 43rd position.

In the two practice sessions on Saturday, Derrike was the slowest in each practice.

Derrike started the race in 43rd position. This is where he was during the race among the 43 drivers:

• 40th position - lap 12 of 250
• 40th - lap 48 (Derrike brought the car to pit row because of the engine misfiring and eventually behind the wall)
• 42nd - lap 59 (Derrike out of the race)

Derrike finished the race in 42nd position, 203 laps down.

FONTANA, Calif. (May 2, 1999) -- Despite being sidelined by a blown engine early on in Sunday’s California 500 at California Speedway, Jimmy Dean Pontiac driver Derrike Cope actually had something to smile about.

Some aerodynamic changes made to his Grand Prix Saturday evening produced significant results for Cope on Sunday. He was happy with the way the car responded. Now the Bahari’ Racing team will use that knowledge to make the necessary changes on the team’s entire fleet of Pontiacs.

Cope started the race from the 43rd spot after rain washed out qualifying. His engine broke an intake valve and Cope had to park the car after 47 of the scheduled 250 laps. He finished 42nd.

“The engine started popping pretty early and I knew it wasn’t going to last long,” Cope said. “It broke an intake valve. But you know, I feel a little better about things for the first time in a while. We made some aerodynamic changes to the car last night and they worked great. I had a race car that would go today. I think we found some answers today that will help us, unfortunately, the motor didn’t last.”

Cope and the Jimmy Dean Racing team return to action in the May 15 Pontiac Excitement 400 at Richmond International Raceway.

Bruce Bates was at the race and provided a live report. Bruce's Live Report