Mike Cope to Drive No. 86 in 2000

Harrisburg, NC- Impact Motorsports has signed Mike Cope to drive the no. 86 RC Dodge in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for the year 2000. Royal Crown Cola is entering the third year as the primary sponsor for the no. 86 Dodge and is considered one of the top programs in the truck series. The addition of Mike Cope solidifies the team's efforts to compete for the 2000 championship. "I'm excited about entering the next millenium as the driver of the no. 86 RC Dodge," said Cope, a late model veteran. "Impact Motorsports has built a top-notch truck program and we'll be in contention every week. This is a great opportunity to RUN UP FRONT AND WIN RACES." Cope is a two-time NASCAR Slim-Jim All Pro champion who has won a record 14 career races in that series. Mike competed in the NASCAR Busch Series in the 1998 on a limited basis with two top-ten finishes. He is the owner and driver of a NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro Series team and he competed in the Hooter's Pro Cup Series in 1999. "We are thrilled to have Mike Cope as our driver," said Jim Verrett, Director of MARKETING for Royal Crown Cola. "HIS DRIVING STYLE BRINGS the race program to the next level. Mike is going to be a an asset to Team RC and he'll work great with BOTTLERS AND our retailers throughout the country." Team RC is scheduled for a number of test sessions during the off-season. Cope is expected to make his first appearance in the no. 86 RC Dodge on Thursday, December 2 at Lowe's Motor Speedway for a Dodge test. Mike is married (Jane) with two children, Megan and Travis. The family resides in Florida.