Cope Joins Rider Team

Derrike Cope, who owns two career victories including the 1990 Daytona 500, signed a three-year contract to drive for Chuck Rider’s Bahari Racing team on NASCAR’s Winston Cup circuit.

Cope will replace Johnny Benson Jr., who is leaving to take a ride with the multi-car Roush Racing team, in the No. 30 Pontiac.

Bud Moore Engineering, one of the oldest and most successful teams in NASCAR history, will return to the Winston Cup series with an entry in next month’s UAW-GM Qualify 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Morgan Shepherd, who recently left the Jasper Engines team, will drive Moore’s Ford.

Tony George, who four years ago brought NASCAR to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, may be trying to add Formula One to the world’s most famous race track.

George, the Speedway president, and Indy Racing League executive director Leo Mehl were out of the country last weekend, reportedly looking into Formula One.