NASCAR Winston Cup Series MBNA 400 Preview: #36, Derrike Cope
17 September 1997
#36 Derrike Cope, Skittles Pontiac Grand Prix
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
MBNA 400 Advance
Dover Downs International Speedway
DERRIKE COPE NOTES & QUOTES: MBNA 400
DOVER, DE - After earning a victory during the 1990 Budweiser 400 at Dover,
Derrike Cope in the #36 Skittles Pontiac looks to bring his winning ways back
to Dover Downs International Speedway during the MBNA 400.
On the tough mile track, Cope claimed his second and last Winston Cup victory
and he now is more than ready to return to victory lane. Running well during
the June race on the concrete track of Dover Downs, the Skittles team had
hoped for a better finish than 20th, but will seek revenge on "The Monster
Mile" this weekend during the 400-lap race.
- "The Monster Mile provides some challenges but I've been able to accept
those and leave Dover with some decent finishes including a victory," said
Cope, who has qualified during first-day time trials in all but four attempts
at Dover.
- "During our last visit to Dover, we had a few mishaps but still managed to
salvage a 20th-place finish out of if," said Cope, who currently stands 28th
in the Winston Cup points standings. "During that race we preserved the car
and learned something new, so that makes a productive day."
- Skittles crew chief Ryan Pemberton, who has been a pit crew member on
other teams for numerous years, now has taken on the added responsibility of
rear tire carrier for the Skittles team during pit stops. "I missed being a
part of the pit action and am excited to be back in the trenches," said
Pemberton. "I'm real good at it and don't miss a lick."
- For the remainder of the Winston Cup season, Skittles will sponsor the
NASCAR hour on One-on-One Sports Radio Network. The Skittles Pontiac now will
carry the network's logo on the brightly colored side panel. The NASCAR show,
hosted by Steve Czaban, is aired weekly every Monday and Friday at 8:30 a.m.
One-on-One Sports Network is America's largest 24-hour sports radio network
with more than 350 affiliates across the United States and owns radio
stations in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Cope's Record at Dover Downs International Speedway
Best Finish: 1st; 1990 Budweiser 500
Top-5 Finishes: 1
Top-10 Finishes: 4
Best Start: 6th; 1993 Splitfire Spark Plug 500
Biggest Payday at DDIS: $55,050; 1990 Budweiser 500
YEAR EVENT Start Finish Earnings Reason
1997 Miller 500 15 20 $22,440 Running
1996 Miller 500 17 23 24,065 Running
MBNA 500 15 31 23,090 Accident
1995 Miller 500 41 12 18,940 Running
MBNA 500 18 7 22,155 Running
1994 Budweiser 500 24 23 10,965 Running
Splitfire Spark Plug 500 17 12 13,415 Running
1993 Budweiser 500 6 31 12,375 Accident
Splitfire Spark Plug 500 14 32 12,205 Accident
1992 Budweiser 500 11 33 6,065 Accident
Peak Antifreeze 500 31 9 11,355 Running
1991 Budweiser 500 24 27 12,550 Accident
Peak Antifreeze 500 28 36 11,975 Accident
1990 Budweiser 500 15 1 55,050 Running
Peak Antifreeze 500 25 13 9,775 Running
1989 Budweiser 500 28 28 2,200 Engine
Peak Antifreeze 500 19 8 7,875 Running
By Muhleman Marketing, Inc.