Cope Family Racing: Derrike Cope returns to NASCAR
01/02/2025 06:46 PM
Derrike Cope and family have formed a NASCAR team for 2025
Cope Family Racing will make their debut in the 2025 season. The family run team will compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Two drivers have been signed. Leland Honeyman Jr. and Thomas Annunziata will share the seat of the No. 70 car.
Honeyman will drive the car in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway. Annunziata will race on the road course of COTA.
The family owned team will see Derrike Cope as the general manager.
Cope is the 1990 Daytona 500 winner. The 1984 Rookie of the Year winner has run 429 races in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Cope’s last start came in 2021 with Rick Ware Racing.
Leland Honeyman Jr comments
"I'm excited to join Cope Family Racing as they launch their NASCAR Xfinity Series program," said Honeyman in a team release.
Honeyman added, "It's an honor to be part of a team with such a racing legacy, and I can't wait to contribute to this new chapter in their history book. I'm ready to take on 2025 and continue chasing success on the track."
Honeyman has run 41 NASCAR Xfinity Series races between 2023 and 2024. He collected his first career top-5 at Talladega Superspeedway last season.
Thomas Annunziata comments
"I'm super excited to be racing part-time with CFR in 2025," said Annunziata.
"Derrike Cope and the Cope Family are rich in NASCAR experience from his driving days and running the team for StarCom Racing in the Cup Series. Although it's a new team, CFR has assembled an experienced group to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. I'm ready and more motivated than ever to be a part of this exciting project. Time to go to work."
Thomas Annunziata ran 5 NASCAR Xfinity Series races in 2024. He had a best-finish of 28th at Pocono Raceway.
Derrike Cope comments
"After some time away from the sport, the creation of Cope Family Racing begins another chapter for us in NASCAR," said Cope.
"To have the opportunity for such a high caliber effort to present in 2025 feels amazing! Elyshia and I are excited to be working alongside Nick and Johanna and look forward to having two young talented drivers, Leland Honeyman Jr. and Thomas Annunziata, showcase their potential in the highly competitive Xfinity Series.”
Cope concluded, “We are reunited with Bob Fisher at ECR for our engine program and will utilize RCR race cars for our return to the Xfinity Series."
Cope Family Racing is owned by Derrike Cope and Elyshia Cope.
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