Richmond VA Daytona 500 champion Derrike Cope sustained injuries during the Funai 250 at the Richmond International Raceway.

Cope who recently returned to racing in the Busch Grand National Series was driving the NO. 48 Petro Express Chevrolet. On Lap sixty-eight he had what appeared to have a throttle stick as he approached the first turn of the three quarter mile facility. Cope made hard impact and rode the wall around turns one and two.

Anxious moments followed as track safety official called for the "Jaws of life" to extract the driver from the car. Due to the extensive work on the car, NASCAR red flagged the event, until Cope was transported to the infield care center. Cope was reported to be awake and alert prior to being taken to Richmond Memorial Hospital.

The forty four year old driver sustained shoulder injuries.

How this will impact his scheduled start for next weekends Winston Cup event in Loudon New Hampshire is unknown at this time.