Derrike Cope's battered Chevy comes to rest against the Turn 2 wall at Richmond. Credit: VPS Motorimages
By Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive
September 7, 2002
12:11 AM EDT (0411 GMT)
RICHMOND, Va. - NASCAR Busch Series driver Derrike Cope was involved in a violent crash on lap 68 of the Funai 250 at Richmond International Raceway, but was alert and talking upon arrival at the infield care center.
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| Credit: VPS Motorimages |
After being checked out at the RIR care center, where a NASCAR spokesperson said he talked with his wife, Cope was transported via ambulance to Memorial Regional Medical Center for X-rays on his right shoulder.
Cope was in 36th position, running in the outside groove when his Chevrolet shot up the track heading into Turn 1. He contacted the wall hard and the car burst into flames, scrubbing all the way through the corner before coming to rest at the exit of Turn 2.
It was several minutes before safety crews were able to remove him from the mangled car. Once out, they laid him on his back on the racing surface for several more minutes before placing him in an ambulance.
After several caution laps, the race was red-flagged. Some 20 minutes later, competition resumed.
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