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Updates
Jul 28, 2001 - Yakima Speedway
Track conditions at Yakima Speedway were somewhat lower than normal.
Temperatures were in the 70's and dropping, the air was cool and its was windy.
Angela, driving the #30 ZNETIX Chevrolet Monte Carlo was first to qualify, putting her second lap at a 19.711 and Amber, qualifying at a 19.771; 7/10's off the pole of Brandon Reihl with a 19.069. Great job girls!!
Angela in the #30 was in a "B Trophy Dash"...starting on pole!!! This was exciting, it was the first trophy dash for Twin Motor Sports. The line up was #30-Cope, 20-Lairmier, 36-Tanner, and 65-Mikelson. The Trophy Dash is a four (4) lap shoot-out. When the green flag was thrown, the #30 machine was moving, taking turn one to tight and fast and started sliding up the race track, spinning out and almost taking the field with her!!! With no damage to any of the cars, they restarted the race. The green flag was thrown again and Angela sets the car up and takes the lead going into one, Tanner, #36 moved up behind Angela. Angela, stronger in turns one and two, but in three and four, Tanner had alittle more for her, pushing the nose down into her, Angela kept her composure, through lap two, but on lap three, in turn three, Tanner got her alittle loose, almost turned sideways but Angela hung on and kept her position gaining alittle distance out of turns one and two to finish her first "B Trophy Dash" in 1st Place...awesome job Angela!!!
With an 18 car field the race started at 10:25 p.m. with a 10 car invert. At race time, the #30 car in 13th and #35 in 16th started with hopes of a great race. Immediately the #35 car passed the #30 on lap three. Angela was showing signs of a loose race car. Lap six a caution was thrown, the #97 of Jason Jefferson shot off on turn three and back on the track in flames, a red flag is thrown to stop the race. Jason climbs out of his car and is okay. Under yellow, Darren radios to Al that Angela needs to come in to tighten up the car.
The race commences and the #35 car driven by Amber passes the #33 car on lap 20, lap 24 she passed the #7 car. Angela radios in that she's still loose. Caution on lap 27 in turn four. The #30 car was not responding to any of the changes that the crew was attempting to make and she continued to go backwards. On lap 27 the #35 car is in 9th position. On the restart on lap 27 coming out of turn three BEFORE the green flag, with the #7 car behind Amber, he decides to be impatient and puts the nose of his car under the rear-end of her car and driving hard through her until he gets enough lift in her rear-end, spun her around into turn four where she was almost hit by the #30 car driven by Angela who was followed by the #5 car who did hit Amber head on. Amber radios in that she's hurt--pain in her left arm. The race is read flagged again and the medics assist Amber and the #35 car is pulled off the track with damage to the radiator, steering rack, and dry sump pumps.
The race restarts, Angela still loose. On lap 44, Angela is lapped. The remaining race went with minimal incident. The medics report that Amber may have a broken left arm and needs further medical attention as soon as possible.
Angela in the #30 car finishes 12th and Amber in 15th.
Just an update on Amber's injury. After seeing an Orthopedic Doctor, she has
a "chip fracture" in her left elbow. Amber has been instructed by the physician that
it will take up to four weeks for the injury to heal properly. Of course Amber is looking to take to the track sooner...we'll see!
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I received the following letter by mail and thought that is should be printed to let all of us realize what the jobs and responsibilities are when we elect to enter into this highly competitive sport. I, as car owner and mother to Amber and Angela Cope, search for any and all safety precautions for my daughters to insure their safety on the track. With the tragic losses that this sport has had to deal with in the past two years, both nationally and locally, it is our duty to have utmost respect for the cars and their drivers whether you are a driver, a crew member, or a race fan. Therefore I find that a concerned race fan cares enough to send this letter that really enlightens the facts of racing and initiates the respect that this sport deserves. The unfortunate incident that occurred on July 28th, is one cause that I hope does not repeat itself. The following is the letter I received by mail last week:
"As a concerned race fan, I feel I need to make this statement:
I recognize the many safety options that are available by NASCAR to keep race car drivers safe. I also realize that NASCAR expects drivers to act and drive in a professional manner both on and off the track and to treat all drivers in both a sportsman like and equal manner. Due to unpreventable incidents on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit, we have unfortunately lost several lives to this nationwide sport.
As I sat and watched from the stands at Yakima Speedway on Saturday, July 28th, I watched the actions of the #7 late model car driver blatantly create an incident on the track that hampered the safety of another driver(s) based on poor judgment to advance a position, when there was no room for advancement without contact; I feel that this action is unconscionable. It has put a driver out for possibly the remaining season; but most importantly the driver who caused the accident (#7 car) put a fellow driver in a situation that could have been much worse. I hope, as a concerned spectator and an avid fan of NASCAR, that this driver realizes that it is unacceptable behavior from a veteran driver to put another driver, whether a rookie or a veteran in a situation where they can be injured due to an unrational decision."
