Compton, Sauter in one-race Busch deals
By Dave Rodman, Turner Sports Interactive
November 8, 2001
12:24 PM EST (1724 GMT)
HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- A pair of veteran drivers on different future paths will have one-race outings in Saturday’s NASCAR Busch Series season finale GNC Live Well 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
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Stacy Compton
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Stacy Compton, who faces an uncertain future in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series as Melling Racing searches for sponsorship, will drive the No. 59 Kingsford/Glad Chevrolet. Jeff Purvis had driven the ST Motorsports car for the last three races while the team evaluates drivers for 2002.
Jay Sauter, who was released from his Busch Series ride with Curb Agajanian Racing two races ago due to his plans next season to drive in the Busch Series for Richard Childress Racing, will drive the No. 25 U.S. Marines Chevrolet. The status of Team Rensi Motorsports’ Busch program for 2002 is uncertain. Randy Tolsma had driven the No. 25 for the last 12 races.
“We thought we had settled a deal with Jeff Purvis to drive for the next two seasons,” ST team owner Tad Geschickter said. “We have run up front during our trial period together and everyone communicated well.”
“On Tuesday, he surprised me with a call to say that he had an offer closer to his home in Tennessee and that it was real persuasive. I was shocked -- we had agreed to a deal, but we hadn’t signed any documents yet.
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Jay Sauter
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“I really appreciate what Jeff has done for this team over the last several weeks. He’s a great race car driver and a great person. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have the equipment capable of running and finishing up front.
“Now we are left in the position of using Homestead to work with another potential driver for next season. Stacy Compton had a good year in the Winston Cup Series and was a dominant force in previous years in the NASCAR Truck Series. We thought he would be a good person to look at for the future.”
Compton has amassed two Bud Pole Awards and six top-15 finishes this season in the Winston Cup Series.
Team Rensi Motorsports, before embarking into the unsure waters of the rest of the Silly Season balance of the year, will honor the 226th birthday of the United States Marine Corps at Homestead with special paint scheme on its No. 25 Monte Carlo.
Major Rob Winchester, public affairs officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, lauded Team Rensi for its cooperation this season.
“The support from Team Rensi Motorsports has been awesome this year,” Winchester said. “They have never said ‘no’ to any request we have made. Whether it’s extra show car appearances or special paint schemes, they go out of their way to ensure that we are hitting our target market.
“The Marine Corps’ birthday is special to all us and this is a way for the Marine Corps Recruiting Command and Team Rensi to honor the 226 years of faithful and honorable service to this great nation.”
While the paint scheme fits very well with the race track’s weekend plan to honor all United States service veterans in conjunction with Veterans Day, which is Sunday; the Marines and Winchester also have a special honor to bestow.
Team Rensi transport driver and catch can man Scott Weston, who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1975-1979 will be recognized by Winchester for his dedication to Team Marines Racing. Winchester will present Weston with a sword he earned for being recruiter of the year in 1985. The sword represents the hard work and faithful service Weston has shown towards his team, Winchester said.
“I’m looking forward to working with Team Rensi this weekend and proud to represent the Untied States Marine Corps on its 226th Birthday,” Sauter said. “I’ve been pretty successful at Homestead in the past with a third place finish in the Truck Series a couple of years ago.”
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