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Checker Auto Parts Dura Lube 500November 7, 1999
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PHOENIX, AZ - With only three races remaining in the 1999 Winston Cup season, Kodiak driver Derrike Cope is aiming to wheel the #41 Kodiak Chevrolet Monte Carlo to a strong finish in this week's Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500k at Phoenix International Raceway. "I'm going to do the best I can for these guys," said Cope. "Things haven't gone their way several times this season. They've had some good solid runs go awry. So if we can produce a good run for them this week and next week at Homestead, it'll help them get a little more psyched up for next season. If you can finish a season performing well, it sure boosts your outlook for the next year." Cope stated, "We want to drive our way into the race in qualifying Friday, and I feel positive that we can give them a good effort. So we will be putting extra emphasis on that aspect this weekend. We're taking a Kodiak Monte Carlo that should be well suited for that track, one that should do well in qualifying. Once we get into the field, we'll shift our focus to getting the car race-ready." Part of Cope's confidence for this weekend at Phoenix is his past record there. He calls it "modest success." In Cope's previous 11 races at Phoenix, he has posted some good qualifying runs. He has started in the top-25 eight times in those 11 races, with his best qualifying effort a fourth-place spot in the 1989 race. He also grabbed a sixth-place-starting slot in 1991. Among his finishes in the races at Phoenix, Cope's best was in the 1995 race driving a car owned by Bobby Allison when he earned a strong runner-up finish to winner Ricky Rudd. During that event Cope led the race two different times for a total of 34 laps and was a strong factor for the victory. Seven times in 11 events at Phoenix, Cope has produced top-20 finishes, including a seventh-place showing in 1992. About the configuration of the Phoenix track, Cope commented, "It's a 'D'-shaped track, a little similar to New Hampshire and has some characteristics like Loudon. But really, Phoenix is unique in it's own way. It carries a bit more speed than New Hampshire, and there are two distinct racing grooves you can use, which makes it an easier track to pass on than Loudon. "I'd call Phoenix a driver's race track. It's a fairly accommodating track in that you can race side by side with those two grooves. If your car is working well, you can utilize either groove. You can get set up for possible passing in turns one and two and if you can keep it low in three and four, you can accomplish passes there, too. I like it. It's enjoyable to race there." 
In Friday's first practice, Derrike was 42nd fastest in the Kodiak Chevrolet with a time of 27.922 and speed of 128.930. In first round qualifying, Derrike took the track as the 26th of 44 drivers and produced a lap of 27.924 and speed of 128.921. This put the Kodiak Chevrolet in 25th position at the time. At the end of the round, the team was left in 42nd position. In Friday's second practice, Derrike was 41st fastest with a time of 27.819 and speed of 129.407. In Saturday's first practice, Derrike was 25th fastest with a time of 28.185 and speed of 127.727. The team tried to make the race on speed in second round qualifying, but could not so they took a provisional and will start the race in 43rd position. In Happy Hour, the Kodiak Chevrolet was 42nd fastest with a time of 28.544 and speed of 126.121.
Derrike started the race in 43rd position and finished the race in 43rd position.
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