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Bahari Announces Derrike Cope Hiring for 1998

17 September 1997

MOORESVILLE, NC -- Chuck Rider made it official today that Derrike Cope would take over the driving duties of the #30 Bahari Pontiac in 1998. Rider then added that Bahari will take their chassis program in-house and have hired Mike Leavitt to head the program.

"I think Derrike Cope is a quality driver," said Rider. "Doug Hewitt and the entire Bahari team are looking forward to the 1998 season."

And why shouldn't they be? The Bahari team is riding a wave of success with current driver Johnny Benson and currently sit 11th in the series points - in a tie with Ricky Rudd.

The team is working hard and hopes to break into the top-10 in series points this season. They'd also like to get into victory lane and the recent changes to the Pontiac may help.

Bahari Racing has been busy over the summer and have expanded their Mooresville facility by 7,550 square feet. The added space, that brings the

facility to over 40,000 square feet, will be used for the new chassis development project.

Rider said that the chassis program will kick off next Monday when Leavitt comes on board.

Mike Snow -- The Auto Channel