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NASCAR-CTS: Stacy Compton Credits Martinsville Races For Truck Series Success

30 July 1998

Martinsville, VA---Stacy Compton has come a long way in the past two years.

Compton has raced from NASCAR Late Model Stocks, to qualifying ninth in his first Winston Cup attempt, to currently being fifth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points standings. He is only 56 points behind Tony Raines after his seventh place finish at Pikes Peak International Raceway, and has five top five finishes this year including a win at Portland Speedway.

In 1996, Compton was still a Late Model Stock racer. But he stunned NASCAR Winston Cup teams that year when he qualified ninth in Martinsville Speedway's Goody's Headache Powder 500, and later that year he started 23rd in Martinsville's second Winston Cup race. His career has been on the upswing ever since.

"I'm extremely happy with the way my career is going, and I'm extremely thankful. It's tough to get into this business and it's tough to get to that next level," said the Royal Crown Cola Ford truck driver.

Compton, who finished ninth in Martinsville's truck race a year ago, will return to Martinsville Speedway for the NAPA 250 Craftsman Truck race on September 26.

Compton believes making both Winston Cup races in 1996 led to his current success.

"We knew we couldn't make it in Winston Cup at that time, but we knew we just needed something to get us over that hump. So to be able to come here and get in the show I think that was the key to get me where I'm at right now," said the 31-year-old Hurt, Va. driver.

"I met people that could make it happen. I met David Hobson, and David signed me six months later to a two-year deal and look where we are at now," he said.

Compton wasn't an overnight success. He has won plenty of races in his career, which began in go-karts when he was six-years-old. He had 36 victories, 39 poles and more than 150 top-five finishes in seven years of Late Model Stock racing. For several seasons, he was a dominating force at South Boston Speedway. But none of those wins could touch the truck victory he had a Portland Speedway before a national TV audience.

"It was huge for the team ... it was huge for me," said Compton. "It's everything we worked all our lives for."

A year ago he finished second in the rookie points standings in the Craftsman Truck circuit and came within a second of winning a race. This year, the team has a full year of experience behind it, and Compton has a full year of seat time on the circuit. And it's showing.

"Our goal is to be in the top five in points. We set a goal to win the championship but realistically we knew next year would be the year we would have a legitimate shot at the title," he said.

This year's success is a combination of things, according to Compton.

"Royal Crown coming on board has enabled us to hire more people and buy more equipment. My crew chief, Kevin Cram, has been absolutely great to work with. He comes from Ron Hornaday's team so he knows how to win," he said.

Disappointment in a seven place finish at Pikes Peak is in indication of just how good Compton feels his team is. He also is proud of being able to compete so well against teams that are affiliated with Winton Cup teams.

"We are the highest up in the points standings of any of the independent teams. We are right there in the middle of Winston Cup affiliate teams. What we are doing is pretty incredible for our second year out," he said.

Despite his success this year, he's still the same down to earth guy he was when he began Late Model Stock racing.

"I'm no different than I was when I was working at Compton's Garage in Hurt. I feel privileged that people ask me to sign an autograph," he said.

Martinsville's next racing action is the Taco Bell 300 NASCAR Late Model Stock race on Sunday, Sept. 20. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12.

The NAPA AutoCare 250/500 weekend is September 25-27. Bud Pole qualifying for the Winston Cup Series and the Craftsman Truck Series begins at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25. The NAPA 250 for the Craftsman Truck Series is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26. Tickets are now on sale for the NAPA 250 for $25 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. The NAPA AutoCare 500 for the Winston Cup stars starts at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. Great tower seats are available for $55 to $60 and concrete bleacher seats are $35-$40. Call (540) 956-3151 for tickets.