Cope in the #49 Again: Derrike Cope will drive the #49 BAM Racing Dodge at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend with support from MNR Productions. MNR provided the race car design to Billy Ray Cyrus to promote his hit PAX TV program Doc. Cyrus stars as Clint Cassidy, a country doctor from Montana whose love for a woman has forced him to practice medicine in New York City. The series airs Sundays at 8:00pm and again at 9:00pm on PAX TV. “Were very glad to be taking our team to Bristol, especially after having such a great weekend in Michigan,” said Elizabeth Ann Morgenthau, owner of BAM Racing. “Derrike and the guys did a wonderful job at Michigan. We stayed on the lead lap and would have had a solid finish,” she said. Cope ran as high as fourth in the race and appeared to be headed to as much as a top-10 finish before some untimely cautions. BAM Racing had prepared a car for Bristol but debated adding the race to its modified schedule for the season. The team had been formed with the plan of running a limited NASCAR Winston Cup schedule in order to build a strong foundation for the future. “The opportunity to work with Derrike again was one we all wanted,” Morgenthau said. “The Michigan race was a large step forward for us. It was a real morale booster for everyone on the team. We had the chance to see our car in the top five for part of the race, and we saw great work on everyone’ part to keep us among the lead lap cars all day long. Maybe we can carry some of that momentum over to Bristol,” she continued. “Obviously, those are two very different race tracks requiring two very different styles of driver and car. But our people are experienced, talented and eager to race”(Williams Company)(8-21-2002) IMAGE: see my Paint Scheme Gallery for an image of the car.(8-22-2002)
