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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: Cintas Rookie Report and Standings

22 September 1997

    VIRGINIA'S STACY COMPTON VYING FOR CINTAS ROOKIE-OF-THE-YEAR HONORS


CHARLOTTE, NC - As the 1997 Cintas Rookie-of-the-Year campaign careens
toward an exciting conclusion, first-year NASCAR Craftsman truck
driver and Virginia native Stacy Compton finds himself in the thick of
the chase for top rookie honors.

Compton, a 30-year-old product of Hurt, VA will be in familiar
territory when the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series makes its next stop
in nearby Martinsville for the running of the Hanes 250 on
Sept. 27. Compton enters that race with 172 points in the Cintas
Rookie-of-the-Year standings, good for third place, and well within
striking distance of leader Kenny Irwin (197) and Rick Crawford (187)
with six races remaining.

"It's not out of reach for us. We feel like we've still got a good
chance," said Compton. "Our goal was to win the Cintas
Rookie-of-the-Year award and finish in the top-10 overall. But it's
tough because you've got the best in the business out here. Guys like
Irwin, Crawford and Tony Raines, we're all former champions of one
kind or another. It says a lot for Cintas to be able to put together a
program like this."

Compton, driving the No. 86 Impact Motorsports Ford F150, started the
second half o the season in strong fashion by turning in a season-best
third place finish in the Colorado 250 at Colorado National
Speedway. It was the first of two top-5 finishes for the affable
Virginia native, who was previously named "most popular driver" by
fans at the South Boston, Pulaski and New River Valley Speedways
during his championship days in the Winston Racing Series. Compton
later added a fifth-place effort in the Federated Auto Parts 250 in
Nashville, TN back on Aug. 16.

Compton admits to having affinity for Martinsville, where he qualified
ninth for the Goody's 500 a year ago. On two occasions in the past,
NASCAR officials have honored Compton with the Award of Excellence at
Martinsville Speedway.

"It's definitely the home track for me, no doubt," Compton said.
"(Martinsville) promoter Clay Campbell and I used to race go-carts
together way back when. So it's special. You enjoy the chance to be
close to home.  It's one of the few races that I'll be able to sleep
in my own bed."

Along with the comforts of home, Compton would also enjoy slashing
away at Irwin's 25-point lead in the hope of becoming the 1997 Cintas
Rookie-of-the-Year.

"It would be mission accomplished. That's what we're shooting for,"
Compton said. "Cintas has done a great job with their program this
year. This is truly a top class of drivers and a tough crop of
rookies."

CINTAS ROOKIE-OF-THE-YEAR POINT STANDINGS

      1. Kenny Irwin        197
      2. Rick Crawford      187
      3. Stacy Compton      172
      4. Tony Raines        168
      5. Boris Said         150
      6. Tony Roper         125
      7. Tammy Jo Kirk      121
      8. Terry Cook          65
      9. Bob Rizzo           59
     10. Lonnie Rush         45


By Muhleman Marketing