Cope and McGlynn to return in '07.

Despite failing to qualify for 16 of the 27 races they attempted in 2006 and only recording two actual race finishes, veteran Derrike Cope and his McGlynn Motorsports team have vowed to return to the tracks in 2007.

Thanks to a near season-long partnership with Sundance Vacations the #74 Raynard McGlynn owned outfit were able to attempt the majority of the Nextel Cup races with 1990 Daytona 500 winner Cope and appeared to be on something of a role before a somewhat harsh points penalty following the April Texas race put them on the back foot.

After finishing 37th at Dover in June and 34th in the second Michigan race, Cope only made the field on three more occasions and last qualified for a race at Talladega in October, six races before the end of the season.

However even after finishing only 45th in the Nextel Cup owner points and facing even stiffer competition in the form of nearly 50 full-time teams next year, Cope said that the team would be back in 2007.

"We certainly did not end the season the way we had hoped," said Cope, who has started at least one Cup Series race every year since 1984. "We were unable to find the necessary speed in the Sundance Vacations Dodger Charger to qualify for the races.

Cope was one of more than a dozen drivers who failed to qualify for the season-ending Ford 400 and the last failure gave him a glimpse of what to expect in 2007 when Toyota arrives.

"There were a lot of teams trying to make the race, which provided a look at what next year may bring," he continued. "I want to thank all of the crew for their hard work and dedication. They are all giving their time each week voluntarily, with the exception of a few. We accomplished a great deal more than people expected us to, although the latter portion of the year was a bit disappointing.

"For such a small team I personally am pleased with what we were able to make happen in 2006. I am already looking forward to the start of the 2007 NASCAR season!"