NASCAR: Can Twin Blondes Amber and Angela Cope Become Contenders?

The platinum-haired, sun-glassed twins are making a serious attempt to be the first twins to compete in the same NASCAR Nationwide Series race.

Driving for a new team, Keystone Motorsports, Amber will drive the No. 93 Ford while sister Angela will pilot the No. 94 Chevrolet.

The history making attempt will be made at Iowa Speedway, May 22. The team hopes to run Kentucky Speedway in July and perhaps some other races later in the season.

Co-primary sponsorship of the Cope twins will be provided by ODYSSEY batteries by EnerSys, a world leader in stored energy solutions for a variety of industrial uses as well as for SLI battery power and other applications.

The two women, age 27, are the nieces of 1990 Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope. He is a veteran of more than 400 Cup starts, with two wins and 32 top-10 finishes to his credit.

The Daytona 500 winner is the driving force behind the twins, providing guidance for their racing endeavors.

The twins started racing karts in the Northwest at a very young age and have raced in late model and ARCA cars.

They made history by being the first twins to race one another in NASCAR during the Camping World Truck Series at Martinsville in October, 2010. Amber finished 26th and Angela followed in 30th position.

In an official press release, Amber stated, "When we moved to North Carolina six years ago, our goal was to race stock cars. Now is our chance. We can't wait to get to Iowa."

Though the young ladies have a serious sponsor, one has to wonder about the strength of a team that fields a Ford and Chevrolet at the same time.

The Cope twins make no apology about their platinum hair, love of make-up and all things girlie. They claim to be serious racers that one day hope to rival Danica Patrick and other females who will come through the top NASCAR series.

Uncle Derrike has long-suffered from lack of quality sponsorship and first class rides despite being known as a Daytona 500 winner.

It was hard to forget the 1990 Daytona 500 when Dale Earnhardt looked to finally be heading for a win, but a flat tire on the last lap allowed Cope to secure the win.

Cope continues to race in NASCAR, but his days of winning may have long since passed him by.

He believes his nieces can become contenders in NASCAR one day though he realizes they will face disappointments along the way.

Could it be uncle Derrike likes the attention his blonde twin nieces attract? Of course as their mentor, he is never far away.

Hopefully the twins will prove they are capable drivers and fare well in the NASCAR Nationwide attempt. They have a good sponsor, but is the team strong enough to make a showing?

Note: Quotes and team information courtesy of official press release (via speedwaymedia.com).   

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