UAW-GM Quality 500 Live Report by Kathy Burkhart

My family arrived in town for the race on Thursday. Along with many others, we stayed at the Comfort Inn in Albermarle, N.C. for the Derrike Cope Fan Club Meeting to be held October 8, 1999.

While in Myrtle Beach, S.C. the day earlier, we watched the time trials on the edge of our seats. Mr. Cope's placement after his qualifying was 16th, but when others qualified, we hoped that he wouldn't be bumped off the bubble. When all was finished, Mr. Cope qualified 24th. His fortune with his Busch car wasn't as good, as it didn't qualify.

Race Day was soaking wet. It started raining when we arrived at the Lowes Speedway around 8:30 a.m. and continued with at times very heavy. We waited patiently in our car for almost seven hours until the NASCAR officials called it off until Monday, October 11, 1999 @11:00 a.m.

When driving to the race my dad, husband and I feared we wouldn't be seeing a race again. We hydroplaned a couple of times as the rain was so heavy. But about 2 hours before race time, it ceased raining, and an hour before the sun shined brightly.

The command of starting was at 11:15 a.m. with plenty of sunshine for the whole 334 laps or the 500 mile race. #2 Rusty Wallace led the first lap around the 1 1/2 mile "D" shaped track. By Lap #10 Mr. Cope had dropped to the 32nd place. At Lap #14, #18 Bobby Labonte takes the lead. With a slide across the whole front stretch on Lap #17, #17 Matt Kenseth caused the first caution of the day. When all pitted, the #9 of Rich Bickle took the leadership.

Lap #21 brought us a new Caterpillar leader #22 Ward Burton. Mr. Cope is in 33rd position. Leadership changes on Lap #24 with B. Labonte taking the it back, but scrappy R. Wallace passes on Lap #26. That lasted for only four laps when #6 slick Mark Martin plays the Pied Piper.

Lap #42 has Mr. Cope passing #36 Jeremy Nadeau and #55 Kenny Wallace. Lap #65, #15 Taurus K2 slipped back to the 37th spot, and nine laps later with a hard fight, the car is lapped by Martin. Lap #78 our favorite driver pits and has all four tires changed, putting him in 41st when entering the speedway.

Lap #88, #31 Mike Skinner leads while green flag pit stops occur. Lap #90, #4 Kodak car of Bobby Hamilton takes over and Lap #91, #88 Winston Cup leader, Dale Jarrett. After a spot check, Derrike is 36th and pushing hard at Lap #93. Lap #123 B. Labonte grabs it again. Lap #128, the red Taurus is 38th. Lap #140 bring another round of green flag pit stops with four new tires for Mr. Cope.

Lap #154, B. Labonte pits, allowing Jarrett to lead under green. Lap #156 the lead changes to the Lowes car and Lap #158 after all pitting is complete #28 Kenny Irwin is leading. Lap #160, Interstate Battery speeds into the lead. 

A side note: Rick Hendrick was at the racetrack. He is in remission with his leukemia and has 51 days of prescription to take before he is off of it after three years. He sounded good and ready to go.

Lap #167, B. Labonte wins the $10,000 for leading halfway. Cope check at Lap #178 is 38th place. Second caution flag waved at Lap 198 when #99 Jeff Burton slides close to the same place as Kenseth did on the front stretch after hitting the wall on turn #4. Green flag racing at Lap #203 brings the green car leading once again. 
This must make Joe Gibbs quite pleased. Lap #205, the Rainbow Warriors lead by #24 Jeff Gordon blasting out front  after a lot of dancing. Lap #208, Lowes takes the lead, pounding the pavement hard. 

Where's Derrike? Lap #214 he is 34th and after Lap #248 #15 is 32nd. Lap #270 brought Martin to the lead followed by Gordon on Lap #271. B. Labonte plunged forward after five laps. Mr. Cope was back in the 34th 
position at Lap #298.

Lap #327 Gordon took the lead and never looked back. He won a second week in a row at 2:25 p.m. Derrike Cope finished 35th, but never gave up all day. He just needed more Fred Flintstone power.

Thanks to Jeff Cope and all who made the weekend fun, and for Mr. Cope to take time to come and talk to all of us.