Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 28, 1993 TAG: 9301280009
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
COPE'S NASCAR TEAM SHUTS DOWN OPERATIONS
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."
"I went over to Darrell's shop [at Harrisburg] and we talked. I told him I needed medicine - the kind you get from winning and being successful."
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.
"Right now the Purolator officials are looking to have the company become an associate sponsor on a strongly established team, one that has a record of consistently running up front," Raymond said. "Of course if this happens Derrike likely is without a ride for right now."
Added Dodson: "This is such a shame. We had nine cars ready, including three to select from for the races at Daytona. We had gone there [Daytona International Speedway] and tested really well. Derrike consistently ran laps in the 187 mph range and we weren't even using our good motors."
Cope and the Whitcomb-owned team - which also won the Budweiser 500 at Dover, Del., in 1990 - had a tough season in '92. He had only three top-10 finishes (no top-fives) in 29 starts and $277,215 in winnings. - Knight-Ridder/Tribune
Keywords:
AUTO RACING