Cope Starts in a Familiar Spot at Talladega

Derrike Cope

April 22, 2004 - Derrike Cope will start 39th in Saturday's Aaron's 312 NASCAR Busch Series race at the 2.66-mile Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

This will mark the third time in four years the #49 Advil Ford has started 39th in the Busch Series race at Talladega (it's other start was 41st) but the team's worst finish is 16th. The car has passed more cars than any other over the past three seasons.

"I would say we got 'em right where we want 'em but I don't feel that good about it," Cope said following qualifying. "But I feel really good that we can take this car and do with it what we've always done here - work to the front. We'll have a good race Saturday and keep this streak alive.

"Sure, we would have liked to have qualified better. I won't deny that. A good qualifying run for Advil and the guys on this team would have been great. We'll just have to make up for it in the race Saturday," he said.