Michael Waltrip will start 43rd in the Coca-Cola 600 in Derrike Cope's car. Credit: Autostock

Fans speak out about Waltrip's deal with Cope

More than 1,300 fans post varying opinions on NASCAR.COM

After Michael Waltrip failed to qualify for the Coca-Cola 600 and subsequently leased Derrike Cope's car so he could run the race, we asked you if it was a fair or rotten deal.

And you have spoken.

	Derrike Cope qualified for the Coca-Cola 600, but he's not racing. Credit: Autostock
	WALTRIP-COPE MAKE DEAL Michael Waltrip made a deal with Derrike Cope in order to drive in the Coca-Cola 600.  •   Complete story, click here

More than 1,300 responses were posted on NASCAR.COM regarding the Waltrip-Cope deal, and the following is a mixed bag of how fans feel.

Was it fair?

WandaRagan: Cope is my new hero. The only reason Mikey is in the position he is in, is because of the way Jr. screwed him over last year. That is the only reason he left DEI. Dale Sr. would not have treated him that way.

TITAN_1: It's legal, so I have no problem with it, and Cope could not be forced to sell. As someone said, it is an under-funded team, so Cope probably made a lot more money than he would have if he didn't agree to it.

getrdun1110: Just goes to show how NASCAR works these days. You don't have to have talent, just $$.

SOUND OFF What are your feelings on Michael Waltrip purchasing Derrike Cope's car to get a spot in the Coca-Cola 600?  •   To post a message, click here

5hundred: MIkey didnt do anything wrong, and to put the "bought him into the race" to rest, every single team out there buys there way into the race one way or the other IE; engines, bodies, parts etc. If any of Roush's cars were outta the top 35 someone would get the call for $ for there spot guaranteed.

marcopaulr: This whole mess is a matter of principle. If I were NASCAR, the deal would include running the same colors and sponors that were on the car when it qualified. If Cope doesnt want to race, stay out of qualifying. Shelmerdine wrecked the only car he had driving his tail off to get into the race. Do you think he woulsd have sold his soul to the devil? Cope should be booted.

	Michael Waltrip admits he bought Derrike Cope's car because he wanted NAPA to have a car in the race. Credit: Autostock
	DEAL MADE FOR SPONSORS Without question, Michael Waltrip says the reason he purchased Derrike Cope's car was because of NAPA.  •   Complete story, click here

ta0223: Michael Waltrip "buying" his way into the 600 is absolutely, 100% percent WRONG!!!!!!! NASCAR isn't racing anymore, it's who has the most money. I guarantee NAPA is behind this because they spent a ton of money to go with Waltrip when he left DEI, and now Waltrip can't even race his way into the top 35 in points, so NAPA had to find some way for their sponsorship dollars to not be wasted. I know this has happened before, but it's pathetic, and just adds to the laughing stock that NASCAR has become. Another thing is, I like Michael, but how can he not be totally ashamed and embarrassed to participate in a race in which he did not earn his way into?

GSP_truex: IT IS BS!!!!! If he sucks and can't get in the race then tuff crap. you didn't see Scott Riggs doing that at Daytona. Maybe MW should spend more time with his current deal and not so much time looking ahead at the Toyota crap.

dgm: GO Mikey! The guy makes it interesting, not like the cookie-cutter drivers that race for the cookie-cutter teams (Johnson, Gordon, etc)

Michael Waltrip purchasing Derrike Cope's car in order to run the Coca-Cola 600 was... ? Perfectly fair Questionable Dirty pool View Results

JasonCarter: Remember when Waltrip first fell out of the top 35... he was trash talking that Morgan Shepard's car was faster than him at Daytona.

I think it is really funny he trash talks these small teams for running better than him, but then he sucks up to the number No. 74 team with money because he wants their starting spot.

I bet this will happen a few more times this year with him.

CarCarr55: I don't suppose that he broke any NASCAR rules by making this purchase. Also, I didn't read that the law was after him for holding a gun to Cope's head and making him sell, so I guess he did what everybody else does to get into a race. He did what he needed to do. If he had spent $100,000 on an engine so he had enough speed, or if he had bought a body from DEI or Hendricks would anyone be talking about this?? I don't think so. So I don't think that he did anything wrong. But since it was Mikey, everyone will be putting him down like they did when he won his second Daytona due to a rainout.

The opinions listed are solely those of the participants.