As Cope knows, winning Daytona 500 is no guarantee of greatness Feb 14, 2009
Derrike Cope gingerly pulled himself out of his No. 75 Dodge following qualifying for the Daytona 500 last Sunday and waved to the handful of fans standing along a fence just outside pit road. "Derrike, can I have your shoes?" a woman asked, pointing at Cope's blue racing shoes. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
T. Bodine holds on in truck race Feb 14, 2009
Six drivers failed to qualify, included Derrike Cope, a former Daytona 500 winner who also failed to make this year's 500. All rights reserved. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Bodine defends Daytona crown Feb 14, 2009
Six drivers failed to qualify, included Derrike Cope, a former Daytona 500 winner who also failed to make this year's 500. RACING INFO. (Cleveland.com -- Sports)
Riggs, Baldwin are Daytona underdogs Feb 13, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009. Search stories on N&O.com. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Gatorade Duels Results Feb 13, 2009
(25) Derrike Cope, Dodge, 59, 21,288. 23. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Daytona Speed Week: Smaller teams driving hard to qualify (Today) Feb 12, 2009
While NASCAR's premier teams, like Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports, bring small armies to the track, 1990 Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope has just four members prepping his No. 75 Dodge and nobody gets the luxury of having just one job. Cope's engine builder drives the trailer while he works on the shocks. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Upstart teams hoping to make a splash at 500 Feb 12, 2009
"It was a whole different deal. ... What we're doing right now is kind of back to that.''The 45-year-old Nemechek spent the winter reaching out to the people he's met during his moderately successful career trying to line up a major sponsor for the 2009 season. He didn't find one, but came to Daytona anyway hoping a spot in NASCAR's biggest race will help him find the kind of investors it takes to sustain even the smallest of teams through the grueling 36-race season.Nemechek is hardly alone.... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Bowyer posts his fourth-consecutive runner-up finish Mar 23, 2008
Morgan Shepherd dropped out after 54 laps, while 1990 Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope exited after 38 laps with transmission trouble and finished 40th. GALE TOPS ROOKIES: Cale Gale of Mobile, Ala. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Monroe speedway's racing operation sold to local driver Mar 7, 2008
Evergreen Speedway was instrumental in the beginning of the NASCAR truck series in 1995, and the Monroe track has hosted some of the sport's top drivers, including Bill Elliott, Sterling Marlin, Geoff Bodine, Harry Gant, Ken Schrader Derrike Cope and the late Davey Allison. As the years went by, Mickey Beadle took on more and more responsibility within the family business, but can't remember when he assumed control of IPI.. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Daytona 500's most memorable moments Feb 18, 2008
Derrike Cope drove through the debris and on to perhaps the biggest upset win in the race's history. It was one of only two wins for Cope in NASCAR's top series, the other coming later in 1990 at Dover. (MSNBC -- Sports)
'Push from heaven' -- Dramatic move in final lap vaults Newman to Daytona glory Feb 18, 2008
Daytona 500 Winners 2008 -- Ryan Newman 2007 -- Kevin Harvick 2006 -- Jimmie Johnson 2005 -- Jeff Gordon 2004 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2003 -- Michael Waltrip 2002 -- Ward Burton 2001 -- Michael Waltrip 2000 -- Dale Jarrett 1999 -- Jeff Gordon 1998 -- Dale Earnhardt 1997 -- Jeff Gordon 1996 -- Dale Jarrett 1995 -- Sterling Marlin 1994 -- Sterling Marlin 1993 -- Dale Jarrett 1992 -- Davey Allison 1991 -- Ernie Irvan 1990 -- Derrike Cope 1989 -- Darrell Waltrip 1988 -- Bobby Allison 1987 -- Bill... (North County Times)
Wrecks, wrasslin’ & wins Feb 17, 2008
On the eve of the 1990 Daytona 500, Derrike Cope made a bold statement to his brother. I told him, I know this sounds crazy, but I can win this thing, Cope said during a past champions press conference Friday at Daytona. (Scranton Times, PA)
Main crown eludes many top drivers Feb 16, 2008
Geoff Bodine (1986), Derrike Cope (1990), Sterling Marlin (1994, '95) and Michael Waltrip (2001, '03) are others who have done little else aside from winning the Daytona 500. And everyone in the sport remembers Dale Earnhardt winning the big one in 1998, on his 20th try. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Daytona's 50th anniversary a time to look in rearview mirror Feb 16, 2008
Derrike Cope shocked the world when he won in 1990 after Earnhardt cut a tire and dropped out of the lead in the third corner of the last lap. Ernie Irvan won in 1991, extending Earnhardt's streak of misery when he passed the Man in Black and relegated him to the Man in Back. (Boston Globe)
Daytona winners include several journeyman Feb 16, 2008
- Pete Hamilton, Derrike Cope, Ernie Irvan, Sterling Marlin, Ward Burton, Michael Waltrip not exactly a NASCAR Hall of Fame roster. But every one of these journeyman drivers has done something some of the sport's biggest stars never accomplished: Win the Daytona 500. (MSNBC -- Sports)
50 years of Daytona: 50 things to know before Sunday's big 5-0 Feb 12, 2008
34 Six drivers scored their first career NASCAR Cup victories in the Daytona 500 -- Tiny Lund (1963), Mario Andretti (1967), Pete Hamilton (1970), Derrike Cope (1990), Sterling Marlin (1994) and Michael Waltrip (2001) ... "17 Since 1995, domestic TV ratings for the Daytona 500 have been the highest for any auto race of the year, surpassing open-wheel's tradition-bound Indianapolis 500.18 Richard Petty scored his Daytona 500 victories in 1964, 1966, 1971, 1973-74, 1979 and 1981. Among King... (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Kevin Harvick opened the 2007 season with a victory at the Daytona 500 but finished just 10th in the overall points standings. Feb 7, 2008
The modest career of Derrike Cope, winner of the 1990 Daytona 500, proves winning the race is not a litmus test for greatness ... Derrike Cope became part of NASCAR folklore after winning the 1990 race thanks to Dale Earnhardt's blown tire with about a mile remaining. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
It's time for the annual media tour. No exclusives, but plenty of good stories. Jan 22, 2008
One other memorable occasion was an announcement by former Daytona 500- winner Derrike Cope, whose sponsor was a processed meat company. We were dragged into a sales meeting that was like an old time church revival. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
FOURTH WIN IN A ROW FOR JOHNSON Nov 14, 2007
Other drivers expected to compete include Dave Marcis, James Hylton, Derrike Cope, Phil Parsons, Jack Ingram and Larry Pearson. Eligible drivers are former winners in any of NASCAR's top three series, former ARCA, CART or IndyCar champions or former Indianapolis 500 winners. (Brookneal Union Star, VA)
Auto racing results Oct 6, 2007
Derrike Cope (Ford) owner points; 36. Wayne Edwards (Chevrolet) 173. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Boris Said replaces Bill Elliott for Nextel Cup race Aug 12, 2007
Veteran driver Derrike Cope drove the No. 28 Chevrolet to a 35th-place finish in the Zippo 200. . (MSNBC -- Sports)
Nothing Can Steal Cope's Day In The Sun Jul 6, 2007
" Some would argue different. Their chief exhibit has heard it before. To some, he's a pair of brown shoes on a black tuxedo. In a room of sharks, he still seems the fluke. His smile said it doesn't matter what anyone thinks and it never will. "I'll always belong to this club," Derrike Cope said. Of Dale And Destiny Cope, 48, has been a trivia answer for 17 years. Question: Who raced past Dale Earnhardt's broken heart to win the 1990 Daytona 500? Derrike Cope has always handled it with class and... (Tampa Bay Online, FL -- Sports)
NASCAR - Nextel Cup - Autism Speaks 400 Preview May 31, 2007
1990 Derrike Cope, Chevrolet, 123. 960 m.p.h.. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Harlanites figure in two of top three greatest Daytona 500 upsets May 21, 2007
COPE'S 1990 WIN IS NO. 1 Branham's choice for top upset was a win by Derrike Cope in 1990. The intangible in this race: "A last-lap tire problem for race leader and favorite, Dale Earnhardt, that ruined his chances." Cope started 12th, led 5 laps, averaged 165. (Harlan Tribune, IA)
Junior, DEI still talking Apr 15, 2007
Driver Derrike Cope and the No. 74 could be back on the track possibly as early as Talladega. -- jayski. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Daytona 500 highlights Feb 19, 2007
Josh Yost: Jackman on Jeff Burton's team tears his left Achilles' tendon coming over the wall at the start of a pit stop. but completes the stop by hopping on one foot while carrying the jack before being rushed to the hospital. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
49 reasons to watch the race Feb 18, 2007
Derrike Cope in 1990; 2. Tiny Lund in 1963; 3. (Florida Today)
Top moments in Daytona history Feb 17, 2007
The biggest letdown came in 1990 when Earnhardt, the sport's biggest star, led the pack down the backstretch for the final time only to slow with a flat tire while Derrike Cope sped by to take the victory. But the jinx ended in 1998, as Earnhardt fought off the fast cars of Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace, Bobby Labonte and Jeremy Mayfield to get the victory. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Jeff Gordon's Car Gets Flagged in NASCAR Inspection Feb 17, 2007
Others who failed to make the race included former open-wheel star A.J. Allmendinger; his teammate Brian Vickers; two-time Daytona winner ; 2002 Daytona 500 winner ; and 1990 winner Derrike Cope. Top Video. (Fox News -- Views)
J. Gordon fails inspection Feb 16, 2007
Violation 'unintentional'; driver will start 42nd in 500 Associated Press Originally published February 16, 2007 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Just when it looked like racing would snatch the spotlight from the cheaters at Daytona, Jeff Gordon's winning car failed inspection. (Sunspot.net -- Sports)
Gordon, Stewart post wins Feb 16, 2007
Also, former 500 champions Bill Elliott, Ward Burton and Derrike Cope, Kevin Lapage in a Dodge partially sponsored by Makoto's restaurants of Melbourne and Palm Bay. Kirk Shelmerdine, Eric McClure, eight-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel, Paul Menard of Dale Earnhardt Inc., Mike's Wallace brother Kenny Wallace, Mike Bliss, Stanton Barrett and Brandon Whitt also didn't qualify. (Florida Today)
Stewart, Gordon Start Fast Feb 16, 2007
" On Wednesday, NASCAR ejected Waltrip's director of competition, Bobby Kennedy, and crew chief, David Hyder, suspending both men indefinitely. Waltrip was docked 100 driver and owner points, and Hyder was fined $100,000. Nemechek said after his race Thursday the penalty wasn't harsh enough. "If someone gets caught [doing something] that blatant, no, they probably shouldn't be in the Daytona 500," he said. "I mean, that's a blatant deal. " Dale Earnhardt Jr., who finished second to Stewart in... (Tampa Bay Online, FL -- Sports)
In reverse: Gordon penalized after victory, to start 42nd Feb 16, 2007
Gordon fails inspection after win, to start 42nd; Waltrip squeaks in - CBS News. The week's biggest winners, losers and newsmakers. (CBS News)
Local driver Whitt doesn't make field Feb 16, 2007
Among the drivers who failed to qualify were former Daytona 500 winners Bill Elliott and Derrike Cope; veterans Jeremy Mayfield, Ward Burton, Brian Vickers and Mike Skinner; rookies A.J. Allmendinger (who won five Champ Car races last year), Regan Smith and Paul Menard, and 72-year-old James Hylton. Said makes race. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
History buffs, take note. Great preparation is simply not enough to win Daytona. Feb 15, 2007
In 1990, Derrike Cope won the 500 in what been called the biggest upset in the 49-year history of the event. He was losing ground to Earnhardt on the last lap, when The Intimidator ran over some debris shredding a tire in turn 3 and slowed. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
How sweet it is Feb 12, 2007
"But Sunday's story wasn't just about Gilliland and Yates. It also was about Boris Said (Ford, 185.212), Sterling Marlin (Chevy, 184.945) and Johnny Sauter (Chevy, 184.850), who posted times fast enough to guarantee themselves a spot in the 500 despite the fact their teams had not accumulated sufficient owner points to be in the top 35 from last season and thus locked in.The remainder of the 23 "go fast or go home" teams whose drivers had to post a fast-enough time on Sunday now must finish well... (Florida Today)
Pressure is on to make Daytona cut Feb 11, 2007
There's a lot of other guys who aren't so lucky (The Morning Star)
Unique Format Turns Up the Pressure at Qualifying Feb 11, 2007
Sterling Marlin, Michael Waltrip, Bill Elliott, Ward Burton and Derrike Cope have all driven into Daytona's victory lane and will be looking to use that experience to help them make this year's field. "It is what it is, and we're working hard," Burton, who drives the No. 4 Chevrolet, said. (The Ledger)
Confusing qualifying adds to pressure Feb 11, 2007
It includes two former series champions, six Daytona winners with 10 wins among them Jarrett, Elliott, Marlin, Waltrip, Derrike Cope and Ward Burton and drivers who have totaled 75 Cup wins. I am definitely feeling the pressure, said Waltrip, a two-time 500 winner. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Daytona 500: NASCAR'S biggest race has unique, complex qualifying Feb 11, 2007
Among the drivers who will have to race their way in are former race winners Michael Waltrip, Bill Elliott, Sterling Marlin, Derrike Cope and Ward Burton ... It includes two former series champions, six Daytona winners with 10 wins among them -- Jarrett, Elliott, Marlin, Waltrip, Derrike Cope and Ward Burton -- and drivers who have totaled 75 Cup wins. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
