Controversy within the Busch Series before the season even gets underway. In statement today, Griffin Motorsports president Lincoln Griffin announced that newly acquired driver Derick Cope would be removed from his stable of drivers. This coming just one day after selecting him as the last pick of the G2 Auto Racing Draft. Griffin stated, "well this move has more to do with lack of sponsorship than lack of driving skills by Derick". He continued, "While efforts were being made to find Derick a full time ride, it appears that Advil could not guarantee a full season deal. With the way our league is designed, there is no benefit for us to have a part time Busch series driver. Lucky for me, I work with two other understanding owners that realize this move is being done out need more so than desire. If the draft had been in any other order, this is a move that could not have been made, but b/c Derick was the last selected driver overall, it changes nothing for my fellow owners. Due to the fact that this is an alternate spot, I am going to go in the direction of a team that I know will field a car throughout the season. For this reason, Denny Hamlin and the #20 Rockwell Automation machine will be signed to fill the vacancy. I am sorry for any confusion this may have caused, and wish the best for Derick Cope and his team in the 2005 season. Griffin Motorsports is glad to get this out of the way though and look forward to the upcoming year."