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Mike Cope (born May 8, 1962) is an American formerstock car racing driver.^[1] A two-time champion of theNASCAR Slim Jim All Pro Series, he also competed in theNASCAR Busch Series andNASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He is no relation toDaytona 500 winnerDerrike Cope.

Cope began his NASCAR career in 1989, competing in theSlim Jim All Pro Series, a regional touring series centered on the southeastern United States. He won two series championships, in 1994 and 1996, as well as being voted Most Popular Driver three times. In addition, he won the prestigiousWinchester 400 three years in a row, from 1993 to 1995.^{[citation needed]}

Cope made his debut at the major-league NASCAR level in 1996 in theBusch Series at theMilwaukee Mile. Driving the No. 58 he finished 25th, three laps down. In 1997, he attempted to move full-time to theCraftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 15 forBilly Ballew Motorsports. His first race was atHomestead-Miami Speedway, where he finished 22nd. He ran in five other races over the course of the year before being released from his contract, with a best finish of 12th atNew Hampshire International Speedway.

In 1998, Cope attempted to move full-time to the Busch Series, driving the No. 30 forTeam 34. Running in 17 races, his best finish was seventh atHickory Speedway, however inconsistent performance led him to be released by the team following the series' race atMyrtle Beach Speedway, being replaced in the No. 30 byTodd Bodine.

Cope ran a single race in the Craftsman Truck Series in 1999, atLas Vegas Motor Speedway where he finished 14th, before once more attempting the full series schedule in 2000 forImpact Motorsports in the No. 86, with sponsorship fromR.C. Cola. Despite the team having had good performance the previous year withStacy Compton driving, Cope struggled, posting a best finish of 12th in six races with the team, that coming in the first race of the season atDaytona International Speedway. At the seventh race of the season, atGateway International Raceway, Cope did not accompany the team to the track; he was subsequently released, being replaced in the No. 86 byScott Riggs.

Following his departure from Impact Motorsports, Cope moved to theAmerican Speed Association, starting his own race team inHudson, Florida and running the No. 25 Chevrolet with sponsorship fromManheim Auto Auctions. He ran in the series, building and driving his own cars, through 2005 when he retired, planning to focus on the racing career of his son,Travis Cope as driver, competing in SuperLate Model events. Mike Cope Racing presently fields five cars in SCCA pro Trans Am 2 road racing with multiple wins and pole awards. In 2013, Cope became an authorized chassis builder for the TA2 series.

In 2001, Cope boughtBronson Motor Speedway, a pavedoval track located 12 miles (19 km) west ofGainesville, Florida which he owned and operated for ten years before selling the track in 2011.

• Official website
• Mike Cope driver statistics at Racing-Reference

• Living people
• 1962 births
• People from Pinellas Park, Florida
• Racing drivers from Pinellas County, Florida
• NASCAR drivers
• American Speed Association drivers

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