A Family Affair: Amber and Angela Cope look to continue family tradition

Twin racing sensations, Amber and Angela Cope, announced that they will be participating in the annual ARCA open test at Daytona taking place December 18, 19, and 20th.  More than 50 drivers have also served notice that they’ll be taking part in this high profile test session. This test session will be crucial for drivers, including the Cope twins.

With the guidance of their uncle, former Daytona 500 Champion and current NASCAR driver and team co-owner Derrike Cope, along with Crew Chief Rick Markle, the twins will be testing in the 73 “Asset Protect” Dodge Charger for Stratus Racing Group. Amber and Angela, who made their debut in the ARCA series in 2006, are excited to climb back behind the wheel after taking a year off to finish school.  

Amber and Angela will be racing at a variety of tracks this season, while completing NASCAR’s approval process.  “With the previous success we have had running intermediate tracks in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, the high banks of Daytona are an exciting step in preparing ourselves for our Camping World Truck Series debut”, said Angela. “Angela and I are truly excited for the opportunity to get back to racing on a regular basis, and with our family history, Daytona is the perfect place to kick things off”, said Amber.  Stratus Racing Group plans to run a full 2010 schedule in the Camping World Truck Series, and with the Season fast approaching, the Cope’s are hoping to accomplish several goals during their time in Daytona. “It’s our intent to have the twins driving in a limited number of CWTS events throughout the year”, said Derrike.  

12/15/2009 - New NASCAR Alliance on Pace for 2010

Racing veteran Derrike Cope and co-owner Dale Clemons announce the launch of the new motorsports company Stratus Racing Group, Inc....  The full service company with racing facilities in Mooresville, NC is equipped for participation in the ARCA, NASCAR Camping World Truck, Nationwide and Sprint Cup series.  With major sponsorship already secured, the company will campaign a full schedule in 2010 with the Nationwide and Camping World Truck series.  The company will aggressively support a driver development program through activity in ARCA, and will partner with Gary Keller of CKR for select Sprint Cup races in 2010; while setting its sights on more Cup efforts in 2011.

Co-Owner and primary driver Derrike Cope will be behind the wheel of the Nationwide car and Camping World truck, while drivers Amber and Angela Cope are slated for ARCA races and limited truck series races.  Racing veterans Rick Markle and father Del Markle will oversee team, engineering and pit crew responsibilities; plans to incorporate staff from Derrike Cope Inc. are currently underway.  The company will debut its ARCA teams twin female drivers, Angela and Amber Cope, at the Daytona ARCA test session this coming weekend.  “Both drivers have experienced success in ARCA racing and are very excited to be moving forward to the NASCAR Truck Series with us in 2010”, stated Derrike Cope.

“We are excited and pleased to be able to offer our current and potential sponsors a diverse platform of opportunities both on and off of the track in all of the top series creating enormous value. Additionally, utilizing our full service marketing efforts we are able to formulate a dynamic experience for companies in motorsports”, stated Clemons.  Derrike Cope will direct and oversee racing operations while Dale Clemons will manage company administration and marketing.  “We are very pleased to have secured the sponsorship required to provide Derrike with the necessary elements to return to full time competitive racing.  We will provide sponsorship announcements in the coming weeks”, stated Clemons.