Pontiac Excitement 400 Live Report by Ken Fleming

After rain all day on Friday, May14 that resulted in Winston Cup practice being canceled, Saturday was a beautiful spring day in Richmond. Because of Friday's weather, Winston Cup practice was abbreviated and only one round of qualifying was held on Saturday. Derrike qualified the Jimmy Dean Pontiac based on lap time and began Saturday night's Pontiac Excitement 400 from the outside of row eighteen.

At race time the temperature had cooled somewhat and there was a slight breeze when the green flag dropped. During the first few laps Derrike advanced a few places and rode there awhile for several laps. Derrike reported to his crew chief that the Jimmy Dean Pontiac was tight. As a result he dropped back to the 43rd position on lap 27. When the #77 car spun on turn two, Derrike took the opportunity during the caution period to adjust the tight condition. After the caution ended, Derrike reported to his crew chief that handling was better but, "Still a tick snug".

One lap later when the caution flag was out again, Derrike again pitted so that another adjustment could be made by turning the track bar up one turn. On lap 105 Derrike went one lap down to the race leader who at that point was Mark Martin.

However, Derrike fought to regain the lead lap until lap 117 when he hit the wall hard between turns three and four after contact with Steve Park.