Stacy Compton (VPS Motorimages Photo)

Stacy Compton has appeared in two less races than all but one driver ahead of him in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings.

Yet, the wily veteran still holds a top-20 ranking with five drivers behind him having more starts. His 10th place at Texas Motor Speedway in the No. 21 Bush's Baked Beans Ford last Friday night gave him the second one of the year.

Even though the finish and points standing looks great on paper, it still isn't enough to make Compton a happy driver. In typical competitive-driver fashion, the native of Grit, Va. commented on his latest top-10 endeavor; which wasn't for lack of effort on anyone's part.

"I'm disappointed with a 10th-place finish," Compton said. "These guys gave us a good truck. We came in early and went to the back of the pack and then we came back in to re-fuel, but track position is so important. We went to the back and made it back to the front.

"We were running too hot right there at the end. We tried gambling a little bit and put some tape on and were running about 275 (degrees). On that last re-start, I knew the motor wasn't going to run there and Ted (Musgrave) got by us (to finish ninth). It's just frustrating to be that close to the front and have lapped trucks in there where you couldn't race, but that's the way it goes - that's racing.

Stacy Compton in the No. 21 Bush's Baked Beans Ford F-150 at Texas. (VPS Motorimages Photo)

"The Bush's Beans Ford was good Friday night; I'm just a little disappointed with 10th. It's good to be disappointed with 10th, but this was the first time working with these guys and it's still not a bad weekend, we just had a little bit better truck than that and I'm glad I was able to help out."

Compton and team weren't the only ones fighting for track position. In the waning laps, fuel strategy was playing into the picture with most of the top-10 begging for a caution.

It happened, but was too late as most teams that already hit pit road for fuel and/or two right side tires were caught a lap down. When TJ Bell and Brendan Gaughan hit the wall together, on lap 156 of 167, the ensuing restart had only four trucks on the lead lap. By the time the checkers waved, only six trucks were on the lead lap.

The strategy by the Wood Bros/JTG Racing team was working in their favor for a noteworthy finish; but the timing of caution flags slowed their efforts. You can only go so far in the finishing order, without the Free Pass Rule, when you're already one lap down.

However, the unscheduled pit stop early in the race forced Compton to drive through the field. He also struggled late in the race with that overheating engine. While the problems made his job tougher, Compton still managed to give the team its third top-10 finish in the last four races.

Before he even got to Texas, Compton had already earned a victory in the human race. He and wife Vickie welcomed the second addition to their family with the birth of a daughter on Sunday, June 3. Izzabella Reese came into the world weighing 9lb. 5oz. and measuring 22 inches.

Compton was driving for Kelly Bires, who was at the Nashville Superspeedway driving a team car in Saturday's Busch Series race. Bires was driving in place of Jon Wood, who is recovering from an adverse reaction to prescribed medication.

Mark Martin, who normally shares the driving duties with Kelly Bires, will return to the No. 21 Bush's Baked Beans Ford this Saturday at Michigan International Speedway. Bires' next start will be on June 22 at The Milwaukee Mile.