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Cope Family Racing
NASCAR team From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Cope Family Racing (formerly known as Derrike Cope Racing with JP Motorsports, Creation-Cope Racing, CFK Motorsports, Stratus Racing Group, Cope/Keller Racing and Derrike Cope, Inc, and Quest Motor Racing) is an American professional stock car racing team that competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The team is owned by Derrike Cope and his family, and the team currently fields the No. 70 Chevrolet Camaro full-time in the Xfinity Series for Leland Honeyman and Thomas Annunziata. The team closed before the start of the 2017 season, but would re-open in 2025, as Cope Family Racing.
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Organizational changes
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The team originally opened as Quest Motor Racing in 2001. Cope was the team's driver, and he also co-owned the team with Warren Johnson, a drag racer.[1] During the 2003 Winston Cup season, the No. 37 Chevrolet attempted majority of the seasons 36 races, but only made eighteen. The team was sponsored by Friendly's Ice Cream, but could only operate on a smaller budget compared to the competition. For 2004, Cope and team were to return with new sponsorship from Paramount Hospitality Management LLC (PHM).[2] But before Speedweeks, PHM backed off, leaving Cope heavily underfunded again. Cope and team were approached by Florida businessman Don Arnold and his team, Arnold Motorsports, for a merger.[1] Cope had attempted the 2003 finale at Homestead, but failed to qualify. The merger consisted of the 79 and 37 teams merging to create the No. 50 Arnold Motorsports Dodge. The team used Cope's 2003 Owner Points, to ensure a better chance of making races, as well as Cope's equipment. Cope successfully made the Daytona 500, but crashed and finished 30th. A few weeks later at Darlington, Cope qualified fifth, ran up front the majority of the race, but a pit road issue relegated the team to a 25th-place finish. After the Coca-Cola 600, Cope and Arnold split, with Cope taking his equipment away from the team,[1] but leaving Arnold with the points.
The team made two attempts in 2008 in Cup, rebranded as Cope/Keller Racing, DNQ'ing in both. The team also ran a partial Nationwide schedule, fielding cars for several drivers. The team returned part-time in 2009 with sponsorship from Blu Frog Energy and Flip'n Bags.com. On December 14, 2009, Cope and Keller partnered with Dale Clemons to form Stratus Racing Group in the ARCA, Nationwide, Truck, and Cup Series. The team fielded cars in all levels in 2010 including two ARCA teams and Nationwide and Truck teams. The Sprint Cup effort was part-time in 2010 but it increased in 2011.
In the Truck Series, Cope and nieces Angela and Amber Cope ran limited schedules. The sisters made their first starts in 2010 in the Truck Series at Martinsville.[3] Angela ran the No. 01 Odyssey Batteries Dodge Ram and Amber in the No. 6 Dodge Ram with the same sponsors. Angela finished 30th and Amber 26th.[3]
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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
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Car No. 37 history
The team originally opened in 2001 with Derrike Cope driving the No. 37 K&N Filters Pontiac, but never made a race. The team returned in 2002, this time running the Ford Taurus. In 2003, the team planned to attempt all 36 races in the No. 37 Friendly's Ice Cream Chevrolet. Stratus Racing Group was previously called Cope/Keller Racing and Derrike Cope Inc. in Nationwide.
Car No. 37 results
Car No. 38 history
In 2002, the team fielded the No. 38 GEICO Ford for Kevin Lepage at Coca Cola 600.
Car No. 38 results
Car No. 75 history
The team made two attempts in 2008 in Cup fielding the No. 75 Dodge, rebranded as Cope/Keller Racing, DNQ'ing in both.
The No. 75 team returned part-time in 2009 with sponsorship from Blu Frog Energy and Flip'n Bags.com. On December 14, 2009, Cope and Keller partnered with Dale Clemons to form Stratus Racing Group.
Stratus was sponsored by Connectyx Technologies Holdings Group Inc for the select Nationwide and Truck races in 2010. The drivers were Derrike Cope (Nationwide) as well as Angela and Amber Cope in the Truck Series.[4]
In their first competition of the season. Derrike Cope finished 24th in the Bud Shootout.
Derrike Cope and Stratus Racing entered the 2011 Goodys Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville, but withdrew on Thursday before practice on Friday. Cope entered in the Showtime Southern 500 at Darlington. Cope has changed manufacturers from Dodge Charger to Chevrolet Impala. He was forced to withdraw from Darlington when the engine in his MAXcellence Chevrolet was tested on an engine dyno and determined to not have enough power to make the race. Cope hoped to be ready for the Sprint Showdown. When problems again plagued the team, Cope went to race for Max Q Motorsports in the 64. During the showdown race, Landon Cassill blew a tire and spun in front of Cope's Ford, causing Cope to T-bone the side of Cassill's car. Neither driver was injured.[5]
Car No. 75 results
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Xfinity Series
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Car No. 70 history
2014
The team competed full-time in the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series season fielding the No. 70 Chevrolet Camaro. Cope purchased all assets from the former ML Motorsports for the 2014 season. The team tested at Daytona in January, at the annual Daytona testing event. In February, the team went to Daytona International Speedway and qualified for the Drive for COPD 300, finishing in the 37th position after some difficulties. Charlies Soap continued to sponsor the car through round number four of the season at Bristol, where Cope finished in 28th. In the following race at Auto Club Speedway, the team was sponsored by Youtheory. Youtheory continued to sponsor the car full-time until the final Texas race of the season. Charlies Soap came on board in the final Charlotte race as well. Cope finished in thirteened at the Firecracker 300 at Daytona in the summer, which ended up being his best finish of the year. Cope ended the year 23rd in the points standings.
2015
The same plans are in place for 2015, with sponsorship from Charlie's Soap. 2015 was not a good season for the 70 team. The team missed the first race of the season and was plagued with several problems in the following weeks. During the California race weekend, Cope's team hauler was surrounded by African Swarming Bees.[6] Sponsorship problems also plagued the team. Cope's next DNQ came at Talladega when his car was not fast enough to make the field. Cope had originally missed the July 4th race at Daytona, but the No. 13 MBM Motorsports car driven by Mark Thompson was found to be illegal. Thompson, who originally qualified 33rd, was wiped from the field and his spot was given to Cope.[7] The team also ran with younger drivers who had brought sponsor dollars along. The team finished 37th in owner points.
2016
Cope announced at the end of the 2015 season that he would again run the full schedule in 2016, in a partnership with JP Motorsports. Sponsorship for Daytona was revealed as Ice-Aid. They would serve as primary sponsor for Daytona and associate sponsor throughout the season. The team DNQ'd at Daytona. In Atlanta, the team finished 27th with Adrenalin Powersports and Ice-Aid on board. The following week in Las Vegas, with E-hydrate and Ice-Aid on the car, the team wrecked the primary in practice. They got the back up car ready, but unfortunately cleared tech just after the qualifying session ended and did not qualify. Timmy Hill was hired to drive two road courses: Mid-Ohio and Road America. Dexter Stacey drove the car in the last three races of season.[8]
2017
The team announced via Facebook that they would not be returning for the 2017 NASCAR season. Cope would return part-time to the Cup series for Premium Motorsports, and later take a managerial role at the newly formed StarCom Racing, along with driving duties.[9][10]
2025: Rebranding and Return
During an appearance on The Dale Jr. Download, Cope had alluded to re-entering NASCAR competition, likely in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This was confirmed in January 2025 with the announcement of Cope Family Racing. Thomas Annunziata and Leland Honeyman were announced as drivers of the team's No. 70 Chevrolet. CFR will utilize equipment from Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines. The team plans to debut at Daytona in February, with Honeyman driving.[11]
Car No. 70 results
Car No. 73 history
The team made its debut in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008 under the name of Derrike Cope Inc. They fielded the No. 73 Dodge for Larry Gunselman, Kertus Davis, and Kevin Lepage.
In 2009, the team run the No. 73 for Cope, Kevin Lepage, and Chase Miller.
In 2010, the team run the No. 73 for Cope and Johnny Chapman.
In 2011, didn't run the No. 73 Dodge Challenger in the Nationwide Series.
For the 2012 season, Cope changed the name of the team to CFK Motorsports. The team attempted the NNS Daytona race, but failed to make the show. Cope also drove for Robinson-Blakeney Racing. Cope also planned to enter five-seven races in the Sprint Cup Series. Cope once again attempted to qualify at Bristol Motor Speedway, but was knocked out due to being slowest in practice and qualifying. Cope and CFK Motorsports finally made their first race in the 32nd race of the season. Cope started 36th and finished 28th.
CFK returned for a part-time schedule in 2013 under the moniker of Creation-Cope Racing in a Chevy with sponsorship from MAXallence Energy. The team attempted several races with driver Derrike Cope, and only made one with Cope, a race in which they start and parked. They also ran the Mid-Ohio race with Alx Danielsson and dropped out due to a suspension failure after 35 laps.[12]
Car No. 73 results
Car No. 78 history
In 2008, the team attempted to run a second car, No. 78 with multiple drivers such as Nick Tucker, Johnny Sauter, Jennifer Jo Cobb, Jason White, and Cope.
Car No. 78 results
Car No. 79 history
In 2009, the team attempted to run the No. 79 Dodge at Kansas Speedway for Jennifer Jo Cobb. The team missed the race.
Car No. 79 results
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Camping World Truck Series
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Truck No. 37 history
The team made its debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2001 fielding the No. 37 Ford for Damon Lusk at Texas.
In 2002, the No. 37 truck made a return at season opener at Daytona with Matt Mullins as the driver.
Truck No. 37 results
Truck No. 73 history
In 2008, Stratus fielded the No. 73 truck in the Camping World Truck Series. Multiple drivers such Michelle Theriault, Nick Tucker, Rick Markle, Larry Gunselman, and Robert Bruce.
In 2009, Jennifer Jo Cobb run the No. 73 truck at Kansas.
Truck No. 73 results
Truck No. 74 history
In 2008, Stratus fielded the No. 74 truck in the Camping World Truck Series. Multiple drivers such Jennifer Jo Cobb, Cope, Larry Gunselman, and Nick Tucker.
In 2009, Larry Foyt run the No. 74 truck at Daytona.
In 2010, Cope run the No. 74 truck at Daytona.
Truck No. 74 results
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ARCA Racing Series
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Car No. 14 history
In 2009, the team fielded the No. 14 Dodge for Nur Ali at Rockingham. He finished 21st.
Car No. 14 results
Car No. 17 history
In 2009, the team fielded the No. 17 Dodge for Nur Ali at Michigan. He finished 35th.
Car No. 17 results
Car No. 68 history
In 2008, the team the No. 68 Dodge in partnership with Rick Markle at Chicagoland for Jennifer Jo Cobb. She started 41st and finished 19th.
Car No. 68 results
Car No. 70 history
In 2008, the team made its debut in ARCA Re/Max Series fielding the No. 70 Dodge for Cope's niece Amber Cope at Kentucky. She started 15th and finished 38th after crash. Amber made one more start that season at Chicagoland where she started 26th and finished 29th.
Car No. 70 results
Car No. 74 history
In 2012, the team fielded the No. 74 Chevrolet for Garrett Smithley at Pocono and Kentucky.
Car No. 74 results
Car No. 97 history
In 2012, the team formed a partnership with Carter 2 Motorsports to field the No. 97 Dodge for British racer Jack Clarke at Salem
Car No. 97 results
- Footnotes
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References
External links
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