Dale Earnhardt Jr. is joined by longtime NASCAR competitor and winner of the 1990 Daytona 500 Derrike Cope to learn about his journey from the Pacific Northwest to capturing one of the greatest upset victories in racing history. After growing up with a father who competed in the NHRA Drag Racing ranks, Derrike learned the finer points of being a mechanic working in various speed shops on the West Coast. After his initial focus in life of baseball was curbed by a devastating injury in college, Derrike followed in his father and brother Darren’s footsteps and strapped into the driver’s seat. After competing in late model races, Derrike would find himself on a path that would lead him to the heart of the fast-growing world of stock cars through the NASCAR Winston West Series. Dale and Derrike give listeners some insight into the former Winston West outfit, which ran from 1971 to 2003 and was essentially its own separate entity sanctioning Cup racing on the West Coast.

Derrike explains that Winston West fixture George Jefferson was instrumental in helping Derrike get his first Cup ride, and it was in this series that Derrike found his footing and learned the craft of racing top-speed stock cars before making the journey east. Derrike’s initial efforts out east were plagued by financial difficulties, but thanks to a relationship with Purolator he eventually found his way to Bob Whitcomb and they established a state-of-the-art operation with the legendary Buddy Parrott at the helm. This potent combination armed with a Dorton-built engine set sail for Daytona in 1990 and brought home stock car immortality when a dominant Dale Earnhardt Sr. ran over debris on the final lap and slowed. Dale and Derrike recap what he remembers from this memorable week, as well as his time racing for Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison, working with StarCom, and what he occupies his time with today.  

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