---

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 27, 1993                   TAG: 9301270246
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder/Tribune
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

---

COPE'S NASCAR TEAM SHUT DOWN

In 1990, Derrike Cope won the Daytona 500 and sat atop the stock car racing world. Now, three years later and approaching another Daytona 500, Cope apparently doesn't have a team for which to drive.

Crew chief Barry Dodson, who was hired Tuesday as crew chief for Darrell Waltrip's team, said Tuesday that Bob Whitcomb, owner of Bob Whitcomb Racing, "has shut the operation down."

Whitcomb could not be reached. Cope said he "can't comment on the advice of an attorney."

"I told all the crew guys to try and find another job, and if they can get one to take it," said Dodson, a team leader since 1985 who is credited with fielding 18 winning cars. "I've already helped my younger brothers find work. John is at SABCO Racing and Bradley at Larry Hedrick Motorsports.

"Denny Wade, who was our gear and transmission specialist, has gone to work for the Stavola Brothers team."

Dodson, 39, replaces veteran Jake Elder as Waltrip's listed crew chief. Elder welcomed the change, Dodson said, because he wanted to confine his work to the shop and spend weekends at home.

Dave Raymond, racing program coordinator for Whitcomb and the team's sponsor, Purolator, said, "Bob is looking to sell the team. There have been some potential buyers, but they didn't make a deal. We'd hope to have new ownership and be at Daytona."

There had been talk Cope would take the Purolator backing to Cale Yarborough Motorsports. Raymond said that now is unlikely. -

Keywords:
AUTO RACING

---