Cope forms new team; plans full season:

Derrike Cope and co-owner Dale Clemons announce the launch of the new motorsports company Stratus Racing Group, Inc. The full service company with racing facilities in Mooresville NC is equipped for participation in the ARCA, NASCAR Camping World Truck, Nationwide and Sprint Cup series. With major sponsorship already secured the company will campaign a full schedule in 2010 with the Nationwide and Camping World Truck series. The company will aggressively support a driver development program through activity in ARCA and will partner with Gary Keller of CKR for select Sprint Cup races in 2010; while setting its sights on more Cup efforts in 2011. Co-Owner and primary driver Derrike Cope will be behind the wheel of the Nationwide car and Camping World truck while drivers Amber and Angela Cope are slated for ARCA races and limited truck series races. Racing veterans Rick Markle and father Del Markle will oversee team, engineering and pit crew responsibilities; plans to incorporate staff from Derrike Cope Inc. are currently underway. The company will debut its ARCA teams twin female drivers, Angela and Amber Cope at the Daytona ARCA test session this coming weekend. “Both drivers have experienced success in ARCA racing and are very excited to be moving forward to the NASCAR Truck Series with us in 2010,” stated Derrike Cope.(DerrikeCope.com)(12-15-2009)