Pennsylvania 500

July 25, 1999
Long Pond, PA

In Friday's first practice, Derrike was 32nd fastest with a time of 53.988 and speed of 166.703.

In first round qualifying, Derrike was 12th out on the track and produced a time of 53.942 and speed of 166.846. This was faster than the practice time, but left the Jimmy Dean Pontiac in 38th position and needing to qualify for the show in the second round.

After the lap, Derrike said, "We were real tight in practice and the car just wouldn't turn. On our qualifying lap I was loose in turn one and tight off three. It just seems like when I really want to get in the throttle in the turns the car wants to just skid out towards the wall. The pressure is on us again tomorrow."

In Saturday's first practice, Derrike was 6th fastest with a time of 53.972 and speed of 166.753.

In second round qualifying, the Jimmy Dean Pontiac produced a faster time than the first round with a time of 53.925 and speed of 166.898. Unfortunately though this was not fast enough to make the race and the team will miss the second Pocono race of the season.

(July 24, 1999) -- Jimmy Dean Pontiac Derrike Cope failed to make the starting field for the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono International Raceway after posting the 39th-fastest speed in second round qualifying Saturday.

Cope’s speed of 166.898 mph was slightly quicker than his 166.846 mph run in Friday’s first round. That was good for 38th. The fastest 36 cars made the field, plus seven provisionals.

“We had a tough time getting the Jimmy Dean Pontiac to turn this weekend,” Cope said. “Handling is so important in the corners here. Every time I wanted to get in the gas off the turns the car wanted to go straight towards the wall, forcing me to back off the gas.”

Next up for the Jimmy Dean Team is the Aug. 7 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.