Derrike Cope career summary

DERRIKE COPE

Born:  San Diego, Calif.
Resides:  Huntersville, N.C.
D.O.B.:  11/3/58
Status:  Single

Drives Straight Arrow-sponsored Ford Thunderbirds owned by Bobby Allison Motorsports... 1980 NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Rookie of the Year and 1983 champion in that series ... Two-time Yakima Speedway track champion.... Was 1984 Winston West Rookie of the Year and nearly won championship in the same year, missing by just 4 points... First race, November of '82 at riverside in Winston West 500... Came to Winston Cup in 1986... Won first race, 1990 Daytona 500, in 71st starts... Closed strong in '94, notching six top-20's in final eight races, including seventh in season finale at Atlanta... 217 career Winston Cup starts, 2 wins and $2,381,462 in career winnings... Career best 18th in 1990 Winston Cup standings... $398,436 in '94 winnings... Finished 30th in 1994 Winston Cup standings.

Professional prospect baseball player as a catcher before career- ending knee injury.... Inspired by his father, who is a former champion professional drag racer... Most memorable race was 1990 Daytona 500 "because I became a part of history"... Considers Dale Earnhardt best driver in Winston Cup... Enjoys actor Robert Duval, actress Demi Moore and country singer Steve Wariner.

WINSTON CUP VICTORIES:

1990 - Daytona Dover

SOURCE: 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Media Guide