Ernie Cope (born July 16, 1969 in Tacoma, WA) is a former NASCAR driver. He competed in the sport from 1988-1999. He is the younger cousin of Derrike Cope
Winston Cup[]
Cope only made one start in the premiere series of NASCAR, coming in 1995 at the Phoenix. He started 44th in the race and finished there, retiring after early engine woes.
Craftsman Truck Series[]
Cope made ten starts in this division, four of them coming in 1996. Cope would drive the #38 Chevy into his first field at Portland, qualifying 17th. Despite finishing three laps off the pace, Cope came home with a respectable 19th place effort. Cope could not match that effort again in the season, as he finished a best of 27th at Tuscon and did not finish the other two events.
Cope only made one start in the series in 1997, coming at Martinsville. Cope earned his second ever top-20 finish, finishing twentieth after starting twenty-eighth.
Cope only made one more start in 1998, piloting the #55 Icehouse truck at Evergreen. Cope started the race in 30th position and ended up 24th.
Cope closed out his career in 1999, making four races. He drove the #27 Albernaz Racing Ford in all four. His best runs would end up being a 22nd at Evergreen, and a 25th at Mesa Marin. He would crash out of the other two races. Cope has not raced in the sport since. Yet, his 49th place in 1999 points would prove to be his career high.