Mike Cope Racing Sets Sight on a 2020 Championship Run
February 24, 2020
MCR to invade Sebring with a tent full of familiar faces and new talent
Clearwater, FL (February 24, 2020)—Just as the roaring 20’s sparked the birth of the automobile industry, the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli TA2® division will ignite the 2020 road racing industry with extraordinary talent and unrivaled competition.
Mike Cope Racing Enterprises will play a large part of the extraordinary competition as it once again welcomes a strong presence of talented drivers under the tent for the Round 1 season opener February 28th – March 1st at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida.
Thomas Merrill will bring his skill and professionalism to the MCR tent driving the #81 Diehl-Merrill Racing/ Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang. Along with Concept Parts Solutions, Merrill will proudly represent a new brand on the side of the #81, yet a very familiar brand to Mike Cope Racing, as HP Tuners jumps on board with support for the season.
“We’re thrilled to partner with MCR for the 2020 Trans Am season,” expressed an excited Merrill. “2019 could not have gone better for us and MCR with two wins in two races, and that bodes well for us as we go into 2020.”
Back with a strong desire to win, Keith Prociuk returns to Mike Cope Racing for his 6th consecutive season. This year, however, Prociuk is changing it up a bit and switching brands as he jumps being the wheel of his radiant blue and blue #9 HP Tuners Ford Mustang.
The new kid on the block, proverbially speaking, Jim Gallaugher looks to gain on-track experience throughout the 2020 season while dialing in his skills in his #16 Madison Development, LLC Ford Mustang.
“The Mike Cope Racing team has welcomed me with open arms and I’m enjoying the new camaraderie with my fellow teammates, “explains an excited Gallaugher. “After vintage racing for more than a decade, I am [focusing] on running TA2 this season and I look forward to participating in more races. I consider it a complete honor to run with some of the best road racers in the country.”
After a leave of absence mid-season 2019 due to a demanding workload, Matt Parent returns to his seat behind the wheel of the #14 Venture Ford Mustang. The familiar hugger orange wrap scheme has been left in 2019 as Parent debuts a new look for 2020.
To round out the tent for Round 1 at Sebring International Raceway, will be the young up and coming talent of Jett Noland. Noland will strap into the seat of our #99 Cope Race Cars house car as he gets his feet wet in the Trans Am Series TA2® division. Noland will be switching lanes from last week after coming off a weeklong oval track racing event at the notorious New Smyrna Speedway- Speed Weeks 2020.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to get behind the wheel of one of Mike Cope’s TA2® race cars,” said Noland. “Everyone in the paddock knows the Cope name is synonymous with speed. I can’t wait to get down to Sebring.”
Team mentor and NASCAR winning driver, Michael Self will once again offer his expertise and knowledge to our MCR drivers looking forward to on and off-track consulting.
It will be another busy year under the tent at MCR but with our season crew members as well as new additions to the Mike Cope Racing team, we are focused on taking these cars to the podium.
Round 1 gets underway this week. Load in is scheduled for February 27th with a test day February 28th, practice and qualifying on February 29th and The Trans Am presented by Pirelli TA2 Race March 1st at 1:20pm EST.
For the latest updates on the entire Mike Cope Racing team, make sure to follow along on social media. We’ll be following the action and going “live” all weekend on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Give us a follow. You can search for @mikecoperacing on all platforms.
About Mike Cope Racing Enterprises, Inc:
Perhaps no other team has worked so diligently to achieve success over the course of 30 years as MCRE. Over the years, they have successfully launched corporate sponsorships in national series, developed short track and SCCA Road race champions and mentored young upcoming drivers. Lead by Mike Cope, he brings the same enthusiasm, dedication and knowledge to his race team that made him victorious in his own racing career.
MCRE offers a variety of services for drivers interested in the Trans Am Series’ TA2 program, including custom builds, arrive and drive programs, maintenance programs, consulting, driver mentoring, set-up and shock dyno. Mike Cope Racing Enterprises is based in Clearwater, Florida. Learn more at www.mikecoperacecars.com.
Mike Cope Racing Enterprises partners include: Koury Engines, Keyser Manufacturing, FiveStar Race Car Bodies, Wilwood Brakes, Bassett Wheels, Penske Racing Shocks, Integra Racing Shocks, and Tilton.
Parties interested in the 2020 MCRE “Arrive and Drive” Program in TA2, or would like to purchase a Cope Race Cars Chassis can contact the team office at 727-201-8910 or email megan@mikecoperacecars.com
