NASCAR: Cope, Moore Dig In for Long Haul
5 October 1999
FENLEY-MOORE MOTORSPORTS TAKES THE STAGE FOR UAW-GM QUALITY 500 AT LOWE’S MOTOR SPEEDWAY CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 5) – It’s showtime for the newly created Fenley-Moore Motorsports operation of Spartanburg, S.C., which takes to the Lowe’s Motor Speedway 1.5-mile tri-oval for this weekend’s UAW-GM Quality 500. Formed this past August under the ownership of brothers Randy and Robert Fenley, Robert’s wife Sue, and legendary car owner Bud Moore, the team and its venerable #15 ride again with 1990 Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope behind the wheel of the Fenley-Moore Motorsports Ford Taurus. While the Fenleys are living a dream by taking part in their first Winston Cup event as team owners, it’s an altogether different story for Moore, who has been a part of the NASCAR scene since its inception in 1948 and is the fifth-winningest car owner of all time. “We’re all anxious as can be to get back to the racetrack,” Moore said. “The Fenleys, Derrike, (crew chief) Joey Knuckles, and me … this is a very special group in the making, and I think we’re going to have a good run. We had a good test here a few weeks ago and I honestly I think we have a heck of a good race car. I think we even have a shot at the pole. That would certainly get us off on the right foot, wouldn’t it?” This weekend’s event kicks off an ambitious preparation schedule for the full 2000 season by the Fenley-Moore camp. Tests are set for Rockingham and Las Vegas in the coming weeks, followed by the season-ending NAPA 500 at Atlanta Nov. 21, and January testing at Daytona. “Our plan for this rest of this year is to use Charlotte and Atlanta and our extensive test schedule in preparation for the first four races next year,” said Cope. “In a lot of respects, this is a new race team, and we all realize how important it will be to start the 2000 season strongly, But, first things first, we’re feeling confident coming into this weekend. Our test went well here, and the team made several improvements to the car since then. I really feel things are coming together and we’re ready to show people what the future of Fenley-Moore Motorsports will look like.” Practice and qualifying for this weekend’s UAW-GM Quality 500 begin Wednesday (Oct. 6). Race time is Sunday (Oct. 10) at 1:05 pm. EDT with live television set for TBS.