COPE HOPES TO WIN DAYTONA ON HIS OWN TERMS.

Byline: Dick Brinster Associated Press 

Although the record book provides testimony to his accomplishment, Derrike Cope is rarely credited with being a winner in the Daytona 500. Lucky, yes, but rarely a winner.

Cope will be forever remembered as the next guy in line when Dale Earnhardt ran over a broken part one mile short of the checkered flag in the 1990 renewal of stock car racing's prestige event.

"Yeah, it seems like awhile ago," said Cope, who also won at Dover that season but has tasted victory nowhere since.

The 37-year-old driver from Spanaway, Wash., has little interest in history. He insists he put aside his only two career victories almost immediately after their celebration.

"I was just as hungry right after Dover as I am now," he said.

That says something about Cope's ethic, considering that his attempt today to take the biggest piece of a $3.6-million purse will coincide with his effort to end a 166-race losing streak.

"You have to go out and be very diligent, approach each race the same way, with dedication and focus, and put yourself in position to win consistently, " Cope said. "If you do that, then you're going to get your share."

That has been especially difficult for Cope, who two years ago lost his ride in Cale Yarborough's car after a series of crashes. He caught on with Bobby Allison - his fourth car owner in two years - later that season. Cope overcame his propensity not to finish races and rose to finish 15th last year in the Winston Cup points race.

"Last year, we ran very well, were very consistent, had a shot to win several races, just missed, ended up second at Phoenix, and we had four weekends in a row where we broke motors," he said. "That took us out of the top 10, cost us 300 points easy.

"We were running in the top 10 in each one of those races and ended up 15th in the points. It shows that we were a very consistent, very productive race team.

"We just need to get back to that consistency this year and have less failures, and we'll be there."

Cope believes Allison's Ford Thunderbird team turned the corner last year. He says they're ready to win in 1996.

Undeterred by the past, Cope is not afraid to talk about the possibility of winning as soon as today.

"Oh, absolutely," he answered when asked if he thought he had a chance to join Yarborough, Allison, Richard Petty, Bill Elliott and two-time defending champion Sterling Marlin as the only multiple winners in the 38-year history of the Daytona 500.

"Our car's drafting exceptionally well right now," he said. "We've led drafts with Earnhardt and (reigning Winston Cup champion Jeff) Gordon and those people in it, and a car with Sterling."

Practice this week also has proved to Cope that he can come from behind.

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Photo Derrike Cope will be trying to end a 166-race losing streak today the the Daytona 500. He hasn't won since 1990. Associated Press