Qualifying for 28 of the 33 races, Cope's 1998 can be best described as non descript. No wins, no top fives, no top 10s. A 37th-place finish in the standings.
Finished 35th in the 1996 points standings. Now a member of one of the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit's newest teams, the 38-year-old Cope is anxious to continue a tradition of winning that he established with his victory in the Daytona 500.
The team is called MB2 Motorsports and is owned by Nelson Bowers, a prominent Tennessee auto dealer, along with Atlanta investment banker Tom Beard, and Read Morton, an attorney in Atlanta.
These three have never owned a NASCAR Winston Cup car, the sponsor has never been a primary sponsor in NASCAR's top division and crew chief Ryan Pemberton is on his first assignment as a NASCAR Winston Cup boss.
Cope was red hot at the start of the 1995 season. However, he cooled down in the middle, only to regain some steam to finish the season 15th in final point standings.
1980 NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Rookie of the Year and 1983 champion in that series. Two-time Yakima Speedway track champion. Was 1984 Winston West Rookie of the Year and nearly won championship the same year, missing by just four points.
First race, November of '82 at Riverside in Winston West 500. Came to Winston Cup in 1986. Won first race, 1990 Daytona 500, in 71st start. Closed strong in '94, notching six top-20s in final eight races, including seventh in season finale at Altanta.
Professional prospect baseball player as a catcher before career-ending knee injury. Inspired by his father, who is a former champion professional drag racer. Most memorable race was 1990 Daytona 500 "because I became a part of history." Considers Dale Earnhardt best driver in Winston Cup. Hobbies: golf and horses.
Sources: NASCAR Press Guides, Star and News staff reports.
