UPDATE: from the Derrike Cope site: Derrike told us that he will be teaming with Arnold Motorsports and driving the #50 Dodge for the Nextel Cup season. Derrike said, “We currently have two very nice speedway cars that will be ready for the test sessions at Daytona next week. We test Jan. 13, 14, 15. Also we will be testing for two days in Las Vegas later this month on the 26th and 27th.”(Derrike Cope site)(1-7-2003)
UPDATE 2: Arnold said the 45-year-old Cope would “probably” become part owner of the team in addition to handling the driving duties. Mike Hillman, who joined the team as crew chief in place of Doug Howe just prior to the Atlanta qualifying attempt, still holds that position for Arnold in the shop in Concord, NC. “Both Mike and Derrike have told me that in terms of preparation, the cars we have right now are far ahead of any of the cars they’ve had before at this stage. So I’m real pleased with what we’ve accomplished in the offseason,” Arnold said. Finances and sponsorship continue to be obstacles for Cope and Arnold. At Homestead, Cope said he had a sponsor signed, yet he never received the backing that was supposedly promised.(Naples Daily News), no word on what the status of the #37 Quest Motorsports team yet [may be headed to Busch [see my Busch site for the Cope rumor there] or what happened to the #37 sponsor PHM – Paramount Hospitality Management.(1-11-2004)