Derrike Cope will arrive at Daytona International Speedway in February – the site of his first NASCAR Cup victory – ready for intense drafting and announcing the return of Charlie’s Soap as primary sponsor for Derrike Cope Racing for the Feb. 21 Xfinity Series race. Cope spent the 2014 season on the Nationwide NASCAR circuit, now sponsored by Comcast’s XFINITY division. This year’s Daytona 500 marks the 25th anniversary of the day he passed Dale Earnhardt on the last lap after Earnhardt ran over debris in Turn 3. Cope had been on Earnhardt’s tail all day and the Purolator Chevy had led laps in the middle and at the end of the race among 13 different drivers. Much later Earnhardt was heard to graciously say to Cope regarding the missed victory, “It’s the Daytona 500 not the Daytona 499.” This race is listed as one of the biggest upsets and best finishes in NASCAR history. Cope went on to win at Dover a few months later after almost being a lap down to solidify the fact that he was a force to be reckoned with. Family owned and operated since 1976, Charlie’s Soap has been dedicated to the development, manufacture and worldwide distribution of the highest quality biodegradable, safer-for-environment and hypo-allergenic detergents and cleaners. The Charlie’s Soap motto: Cleans everything from false teeth to Diesel engines, from silk frillies to shop rags.(Derrike Cop Racing)(1-13-2015)
