ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, April 22, 1996 TAG: 9604230171
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: MARTINSVILLE
SOURCE: BRUCE STANTON STAFF WRITER
All Stacy Compton had to do was look over his steering wheel to know he was in deep.
There, right in front of him in the seventh starting position, was Terry Labonte, Winston Cup's iron man. Next to Labonte was seven-time series champion Dale Earnhardt. And two cars behind Compton was reigning points champion Jeff Gordon.
Compton, a Hurt resident, was making his first Winston Cup start at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday. The shortest consecutive start streak was sitting right behind the longest consecutive start streak.
``I was right in the middle of it,'' said Compton, who made national news by qualifying ninth in a field of 36 cars for the Goody's 500. ``We qualified so well, we were right there.''
Compton even had a camera mounted in his car by ESPN for the race.
``That was pretty neat,'' said Compton, a former Late Model Stock champion at South Boston Speedway.
While he didn't finish the race, Compton said he picked up valuable experience. He ran on the lead lap until the first pit stops on lap 98. He ended up in 33rd place, 147 laps off the pace.
Still, making the race - in the top 10 at that - was accomplishment enough for Compton. Especially when you consider that high-dollar teams with drivers such as Ward Burton, Bobby Hillin, Steve Grissom and Wally Dallenbach Jr. all failed to qualify.
Compton is driving for owner Dean Monroe of Lynchburg, who purchased Winston Cup cars owned by Alan Dillard of Charlottesville. Burton drove for Dillard last year until switching teams.
``We're tickled to death,'' Compton said. ``I hate it that we didn't finish, but I got some valuable, valuable experience out there.''
Compton left the track feeling so good, he said he is considering making a run at Johnny Benson Jr. for Winston Cup rookie of the year this season. His original plans were to run a few Winston Cup races this season and then compete for rookie of the year in 1997.
Until his first pit stop, it appeared Compton would be able to stay on the lead lap. But his car was lapped under a caution flag, and his backward spiral began.
For Compton, it was his first official pit stop in a race. Racing divisions such as Late Models do not typically run distances that require fuel and tire changes, so he was out of his element.
He was also burning up his brakes, a common malady at Martinsville.
``It was a rookie mistake,'' he said. ``I burnt the brakes up.''
It wasn't the only rookie mistake. With his brakes failing, Compton got into the rear of Dave Marcis' car. Compton said he was sorry and that he made a mistake, but Marcis was not happy.
Before the race, Marcis told Compton he would take it easy on him because he was a rookie. Marcis also asked Jeff Gordon, starting directly behind Marcis, not to get into him, because he was giving Compton a break.
``I told [Compton] before the race, `Don't worry about me,''' Marcis said. ``I won't get into you. I'm going to give you a break.
``But when it came time for him to let me off the hook, he didn't, and I'm not happy.
``But he did a good job. I appreciate him coming by and saying he was sorry. He made a mistake and he admits it.''
While he regretted the run-in with Marcis, Compton said he received encouraging words from some other teams.
``Some of them came up and said we lasted longer than they thought we would,'' he said. ``It was kind of a slap in the face, but it felt good. I'm looking forward to coming back and running with these guys.''
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines KEYWORDS: AUTO RACINGby CNB