Derrike Cope: The One Hit Wonder
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- čas přidán 9. 09. 2024
- Spanaway Washington's Derrike cope is synonymous with the Daytona 500, but is likewise synonymous with curiosity. It seems few even know his backstory, and while people acknowledge his 1990 Daytona 500 win as legitimate, few see him as nothing more than a fluke, who would've not won had earnhardt had a problem on the final lap. But, did the winner of the "Daytona 499" have any actual talent? Did this success materialize into any further successes? How is it that only those who have been fans for decades know him, but those in recent only know him for blowing a tire in 2016? This the story of the curious case. The 500 champ, Derrike Cope.
In the 1999 season, Cope was suppose to be full time with the Jimmy Dean sponsorship.... I remember in my Nascar magazine there was a full page ad + contest where you had to write down which paint scheme was used each week (out of 3 choices I believe) then mail it in after the season.... but it became difficult because Cope DNQ'ed so much so you did not see the car there, plus TV would not show his car for practice or qualifying so it became impossible to know the scheme then Cope got fired and Jimmy Dean left i think.... never knew what became of that contest? 🤔
That’s really cool! Had no idea that was a thing. Presumably they stopped it because, as you said, there wouldn’t be a way for viewers to keep track? That’s only a guess, though. Was it for a prize/prizes?
@ClumsyCardboard I know there was some kind of prize... else i would have not cared enough to be following Derrick Cope, lol.... might have been money but I really don't remember
@@hogziller haha, I guess that’s fair enough. It’s also prove that sponsors advertising in NASCAR Actually does work! At least, back in the day anyway.
He won Dover that same year, technically two hit wonder.
Technically, yes. And the second win helped shut his naysayers up too, though briefly.
@@ClumsyCardboard check me if I am wrong but, I believe Waddell Wilson was crew chief and engine builder, if my memory is correct that would make this make more sense.
@@michaelatkins9780 Buddy parrot was still crew chief, but, Waddell Wilson I do believe was also not the engine builder, as by that time they were still running off of hendrick power. So perhaps it was actually Randy Dorton.
@@ClumsyCardboard well that's why I said check me, good call. Thanks
@@michaelatkins9780 No problem. It’s a good question! I wasn’t entirely sure myself at first.
Derrike Cope Was My Favorite Driver Ever Sense A Kid Y’all Can Talk Trash About But I Don’t Care DERRIKE ! 10
DERRIKE COPE BABY Whooooo! 10
I still respect what he did manage to accomplish, and there is no doubt he had some talent. It's just that in recent years that has been forgotten/diminished, and now the only real memory is of him blowing a tire up at the Glen.
yeah they should remember him from the 500 win
I was a huge Cope fan. He showed tremendous perseverence. at the end of 1987 his owner closed up shop. Cope stayed in Charlotte trying desperately to land a sponsor. He slept on a mattress in the middle of a living room of an apt that he shared. He got a call from an agent who told him Purolator was interested. He flew to Tulsa with the one suit he had to his name and talked the CEO into sponsoring him. He didn't even have a team at the time. They started out in 88 with only 250 k in sponsorship money. But the made all races they attempted. Then he called Whitcomb when Tesla shut down and Purolator went with him. They got Henrdrick engines and Buddy Parrott and improved markedly. Then for the 1990 Daytona 500 they opted to go with a Keith Dorton Motor because it waa better than the one Randy Dorton offered at Hendrick. He was in position all day and was right there when Earnhardt had the problem. He beat two Winston Cup champs in Elliot and Labonte to the checker
Indeed, and I always will remark on what he was able to do with what he had available. It's unfortunate things deteriorated after 1990, but nonetheless. Making do regardless.
Supposedly the 10 car for the Daytona win was the same chassis in which Greg Sacks won the Firecracker in 85 with DiGard. Buddy Parrott mentioned it on the Scene Vault podcast.
I could see that. Bob was hurting for money, and it would help them save a Buck. And if it was a winning chassis, you’d want to reuse it if possible, and just rebody it. Nice little tidbit there!
I would suspect that it was the same chassis as well.
How is Cope a one hit wonder if he has 2 victories?
Depends on how you cut it. One hit wonder as in 1990 was his best, and only major peak, or one hit as in Daytona 500 champ. Either way, It all immediately ran out of steam.
@@ClumsyCardboard You never clearly say he won at Dover...
@@roberthill2219 I disagree. Moreover, I even pointed out how close he came to sweeping it later in his career.
HERE COMES DOPE COPE
Interesting how Ken squire called him "the young man from spannaway washington" back in 1990, when he was 32. That's unheard of today, but was far more common back then.
That last quote says it all! "No matter what, He will forever and always be a Daytona 500 Champion" Yes he WILL! nuff said!
And that means, Fluke or Not!!!
Absolutely. At the end of the day, he beat the odds. If the purolator team could have a slightly bigger budget, maybe things would have kept going that way. But that, as they say, is history.
@@ClumsyCardboard It Is History! His hand could have been delt better, But I will always know the name Derrick Cope anytime I hear It. He was good, He just got delt a bunk hand, But he won one of the most famous races. Reguardless how it hapened........He Won.
And I am not saying anything but "Other" drivers got a bunk hand over the years...........Like Steve Park who never really got to show his talent, Which he had cause I watched him race Featherlite Mods.
@@VeliusCoba I intend to cover his story at a later date, following the release later today. Hopefully I can do Steve parks story justice. He really did have a bucketload of bad luck, despite him being a damn good driver.
FIRST FOR ANOTHER BANGIN VIDEO WOOOOOOOOO
Thanks man! This was one hell of a fun rabbit hole. As promised, the mike skinner video is coming soon.
That 10 car had a awesome paint scheme
Absolutely! And now, forever iconic as a result
great video, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed!
NASCAR is the only sport you can be in for decades with no results. There are a ton of drivers out there that deserve that seat.
I don’t know about the only one, but definitely NASCAR is a prime example I agree.
I believe that the only driver that buddy parrot ever crews chiefed for that didn't win was robert presley. But after the covid holes in my memory I might be wrong
From what I recall, I think it was ted musgrave. But that also sounds right.
In all fairness 1990 was the only season he had in equipment capable of winning. Whitcomb fell off and Bobby Allison Racing was never great although he did nearly win Phoenix for them. Bahari never won anything and MB2 wasn’t quite there yet.
@@mitchcolburn1216 That’s a very valid summary. Honestly I agree, and that’s why it was unfortunately the only real chance he had at getting more than 2 wins during a season. I wish Bob Whitcomb had more cash on hand, or at least bigger sponsorship deals even on short term.
Everything you said Earnhardt would become, he already was in 1990, save for a seven time champion.
Very true, he already had championships in 1980, 1986, and 1988, and was due for his by end of 1990. It was still undetermined until the mark martin intake spacer debacle.
He competed in Winston West not ARCA
Pardon. I meant ARCA retroactively.
@@ClumsyCardboard no problem. Great video. Thanks for delving into the career of Derrike Cope.
@@phelpsmarc it was fun to learn about him! Figured it was about time someone covered his career.
Listen Buster It Was Arca Cuz I’m Realllllllllly Big Cope Fan
😅
can you do lightning mcqueen next 🥺
Haha. That can be a special event vid perhaps!
@@ClumsyCardboardJoking aside- great video, you're building up a nice collection of these.
@@jessederlin Thanks! Better every time, I feel. Lots of room for improvement though, and more to come!
No Derrike didn't sign with Whitcomb in the off-season. Bouchars was still in the 10 to begin 1989 although he remained sponsorless. JIM Testa (not Tim) closed his and Cope's 68 after a few races due to Testas health problems. Whitcomb also shut his team down due to lack of sponsorship around the same time. So cope took his pure later money to Bob Whitcomb's team around Aprill of 1989. And it was even later in the year when Buddy Perry signed on to become crew chief.
didn't cope sell his stuff off for like $15,000,000.?
I don't recall the exact figure myself, but that sounds about right. Frankly, he should've sold off one of the cars a lot sooner.. perhaps he wouldn't have needed a buy-my-way-in driver toward the last two years of operation.
If you're talking about StarCom Racing, he was not an owner. He was the team manager. They sold their charter for a lot of money after they decided to pack it in.
big tonka $$$$
True. He got the W where it counted.. though, he couldn’t kept it going beyond Dover.
Two hit wonder
To be absolutely fair to him, Yes. Both his wins were pretty hard fought, and with bobby parrot's quick thinking. But, whatever magic was in that #10 car that year, fizzled out by seasons end.
Did better in the 10 than Danica.
Hell.. I'd argue Ricky rudd ran better than both of 'em, but there is truth in what you're saying.