NASCAR Winston Cup ITW DeVilbiss 400 Preview: #36, Derrike Cope
13 August 1997
#36 Derrike Cope, Skittles Pontiac Grand Prix
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
ITW DeVilbiss 400 Advance
Michigan Speedway
DERRIKE COPE NOTES & QUOTES: ITW DEVILBISS 400
BROOKLYN, NY - The Skittles Race Team's last trip to Michigan Speedway
brought them their first and, so far, only top-10 finish of the season.
Wanting to at least duplicate that performance this weekend during the ITW
DeVilbiss 400, driver Derrike Cope's eighth-place finish during the 1997
Miller 400 was his third to-10 finish at the 2-mile track and 31st overall.
"We're taking the same car back to Michigan that gave the Skittles Race Team
its first top-10 finish," said Cope, who earlier this season at MS won the
Exide All Charged Up Award for advancing the most spots from his starting to
finishing position. "That top-10 finish definitely has been one of the
highlights of the season. I enjoyed running with the front pack and
challenging drivers like Dale Earnhardt. I welcome the opportunity again this
weekend.
"We're more than ready for a better first round qualifying run," commented
Cope, whose best qualifying effort at MS came last year when he started in
the second spot. "The team has been working harder and concentrating more on
first day qualifying. With a better starting position, I'm sure we can run
even better and finish higher.
"The Skittles Pontiac ran well last time we went to Michigan and Derrike was
able to move through the pack fairly easy," said first-year Winston Cup crew
chief Ryan Pemberton. "We're confident that we can perform as well this
weekend both in the pits and on the track."
Cope's Record at Michigan Speedway
Best Finish: 5th; 1989 Champion Spark Plug 400
Top-5 Finishes: N/A
Top-10 Finishes: 3
Best Start: 2nd; 1996 Miller 400
Biggest Payday at Michigan Speedway: $33,475; 1997 Miller 400
YEAR EVENT Start Finish Earnings Reason
1997 Miller 400 42 8 33,475 Running
1996 Miller 400 2 40 24,080 Piston
GM Goodwrench 400 27 24 25,015 Running
1995 Miller 400 36 19 15,325 Running
GM Goodwrench 400 26 34 10,015 Piston
1994 Miller Genuine Draft 400 14 37 9,490 Handling
GM Goodwrench Dealer 400 24 18 16,590 Running
1993 Miller Genuine Draft 400 30 27 12,785 Running
Champion Spark Plug 400 17 21 13,815 Running
1992 Miller Genuine Draft 400 35 22 8,945 Running
Champion Spark Plug 400 17 33 7,465 Accident
1991 Miller Genuine Draft 400 11 41 12,950 Engine
Champion Spark Plug 400 19 34 13,075 Engine
1990 Miller Genuine Draft 400 18 12 13,100 Running
Champion Spark Plug 400 13 19 10,650 Running
1989 Miller Genuine Draft 400 15 9 10,075 Running
Champion Spark Plug 400 18 5 15,375 Running
By Muhleman Marketing