Changes at Bahari' Racing

Chuck Rider's 12-year NASCAR Winston Cup operation welcomes a new sponsor that will showcase four companies -- Bryan, Jimmy Dean, State Fair Corn Dogs, and Rudy's Farm. Driver Derrike Cope is fully recovered from the crash that left him battered and bruised much of last season. At least a dozen new crewmen are with the team, including crew chief Dan Glauz and engineer Dave Skog. During the offseason, Rider and team manager Dayne Pierantoni oversaw changes to the shop layout, increasing efficiency and putting a pristine sparkle to the facility.

Cope said the decision for Bryan, Jimmy Dean, State Fair Corn Dogs, and Rudy's Farm to become the primary sponsors was the kickstart the team needed to set the winds of change in motion.

"Bryan, Jimmy Dean, State Fair Corn Dogs, and Rudy's Farm stepping up from their associate capacities to the major role instilled a lot of confidence in us," Cope said. "Despite our tough year last season, they showed they believe we can get the job done. They proved that by agreeing to sponsor our team."

With all the modifications comes the most important change of all -- a renewed spirit of confidence and determination among Rider's troops.

"I still have the same desk," Rider said with a laugh. "I guess that's one thing that hasn't changed. There is a lot of change. I think there are a lot of exciting things that have happened. We know what it takes to get back on top of the rock again. We know it's going to be a lot of hard work, longer hours and great attitudes. We're putting all that in our gameplan and moving forward."

While exercising on a daily basis in the shop's state-of-the-art workout room, Cope marveled at the improvements made at Bahari' Racing during the offseason. It gave him confidence the team could recover from the tough season it endured last year. Cope sustained two broken ribs and various muscle injuries in a severe crash in the season's fourth race at Atlanta. He struggled physically much of the season and the team could never quite overcome the setback.

"I think the fact that Chuck and Dayne, collectively, took the helm and decided that there needed to be some reconstructive surgery made on the team was good," Cope said. "They worked very diligently to further organize the shop and made some personnel changes. They're working in a new direction and I think that's good. Teams can get complacent and stagnant and they're making sure that doesn't happen here.

"I see a lot of good things happening. They've instilled a lot of confidence in me and I'm excited to see everyone working as hard as they have. There's kind of a new philosophy with this team. Everybody's concentrating on their own responsibilities. We're going to stay focused and see what we can accomplish as a collective group."

Cope started to fully mend over the last nine races last season. Combined with the improved muscle in engine builder Ron Puryear's powerplants, Cope started to make some noise, particularly in qualifying. Over the final nine races, Cope sped to five top-10 qualifying runs, including his first-ever Winston Cup pole position. He also earned his best race finishes during the qualifying tear.

"Now our goal is to carry that qualifying success over to race mode," Cope said. "The confidence in knowing we can qualify a race car up front is really assuring. We started putting ourselves in a position each week to be a factor. That's what you have to do to run up front, and that's by gaining track position right from the start.

"I think with the year we're coming off of and the amount of changes we've made, this marks a total transformation of this race team. I'm going into the season with an open mind and no preconceived ideas as far as what we can and can't do. We're going to go out and put ourselves in position to do the right things. Our confidence has grown with all the changes."

With the combination of an inspiring new sponsor, healthy driver and infusion of new crewmen, Bahari' Racing carries a rebirth of optimism entering the 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup season. All the changes have Rider confident his team can return to the level of performance it's accustomed to. Before last season, Rider's team had finished only one season outside the top-25 in the point standings.

"It's a fresh start," Rider said. "You have to recognize that after the year we had, it's beneficial to have change. It wasn't change for the sake of change. The changes we've made are important in order to go forward. I think every one of us has something to prove this year. I think we're going to perform at our best."