Cope

The courtship has developed into a beefed-up working relationship between veteran NASCAR driver Derrike Cope and Don Arnold, owner of the North Carolina-based Arnold Motorsports team.

Cope revealed to his Web site race fans last week -- and Arnold confirmed Friday -- that the two will be partners for the 2004 Nextel Cup Series.

While the team has yet to officially register with NASCAR for the upcoming season, Arnold, of Naples, Fla., said he will shelve the No. 79 and put the No. 50 on the side of his still-unsponsored Dodge.

The team will conduct its first test session of the new year Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Daytona International Speedway.

"That's the plan right now. We've merged our team with Derrike's," Arnold said. "We're going to do the first four races for sure. I think we can be in the top 25 after that and hopefully have a sponsor."

Arnold attempted to debut in Winston Cup racing in 2003 with driver Billy Bigley Jr. in the hotseat. After his team failed to qualify at Indianapolis, Bristol, Richmond and Atlanta, Arnold put Cope behind the wheel at Homestead, Fla., but still was unable to make the field for the season finale.

Arnold said the 45-year-old Cope would "probably" become part owner of the team in addition to handling the driving duties.

Mike Hillman, who joined the team as crew chief in place of Doug Howe just prior to the Atlanta qualifying attempt, still holds that position for Arnold in the shop in Concord, N.C.

"Both Mike and Derrike have told me that in terms of preparation, the cars we have right now are far ahead of any of the cars they've had before at this stage. So I'm real pleased with what we've accomplished in the offseason," Arnold said.

Finances and sponsorship continue to be obstacles for Cope and Arnold. At Homestead, Cope said he had a sponsor signed, yet he never received the backing that was supposedly promised.

Arnold said that more than once, he thought he was close to enrolling a major sponsor, but couldn't get the final, all-important green light.

Even some of NASCAR's established Cup teams are experiencing problems with getting sponsorships this season.

"A guy like Jack Roush is asking for $18 million, where all I need is $6 million," Arnold reflected. "I don't have to make money with my race team. I can run a full season first-class with $6 million."

Arnold also is taking a wait-and-see attitude regarding new rules on qualifying and provisional starts announced last week by NASCAR. Most importantly, 38 cars now will qualify for races on speed. Last season, there were 36 qualifiers and seven provisional starters.

"It's still a crap shoot," Arnold said, adding that once his team has officially registered for the 2004 Nextel Cup Series, it will begin the season with four provisionals based on Cope's 43rd-place finish in the 2003 owners points standings.