Derrike Cope
When Dale Earnhardt took the white flag in the 1990 Daytona 500 at Daytona Int’l Speedway, everyone assumed the race and trophy was all but his.
Derrike Cope, aboard Bob Whitcomb’s Purolator-sponsored Chevrolet, and Earnhardt traded the lead a few times during the final 20 laps, but Earnhardt had the dominant car and looked to have the race in the bag until the final lap. Cope was running second when Earnhardt slowed with a flat tire entering turn three, giving Cope the lead and the victory.