HORNADAY HOLDS OUT HOPE COMPTON QUICK SO FAR AT DAYTONA IN TESTING FOYT PONTIAC.

Byline: TIM HADDOCK Motor Sports

While former Saugus Speedway champ Ron Hornaday Jr. looks for a ride for the 2002 season, his replacement in the No. 14 Conseco Pontiac has been earning high marks in tests at Daytona International Speedway.

Stacy Compton, who will race the A.J. Foyt Racing entry in the Winston Cup Series, clocked the second-fastest times in testing this week for the 44th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17.

Jimmie Johnson of El Cajon, the rookie driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevy, was the fastest among 23 drivers, including reigning Winston Cup champ Jeff Gordon, testing at the track Monday.

``We were pretty happy with it right off the truck,'' Compton said. ``There are a lot of people out here probably sandbagging. That's all part of the game. To unload and be decent, we're pretty happy.''

Compton turned a fast lap at 183.087 mph. Johnson's fast lap was 183.120 mph.

Foyt Racing borrowed GM restrictor-plate engines from the Richard Childress Racing team last year.

This year, Foyt Racing has developed and built its own restrictor-plate engines, which are used in competition at Daytona and Talladega Superspeedway. The first few tests have produced some encouraging results for Compton and Foyt Racing.

Meanwhile, Hornaday continues to look for a ride for the upcoming year. He said he is working on putting together a Craftsman Truck Series team and a Busch Series car for his son, Ronnie. He also is looking for a seat and hasn't ruled out returning to the Winston Cup ranks.

The biggest obstacle for Hornaday, as is with other teams, has been sponsorships. Without sponsorship money, Hornaday probably won't be racing this season.

Furthermore, most teams have found drivers and testing has been well under way for some time.

Compton and Foyt are entering their third year of Winston Cup competition. Compton raced last year in the No. 92 Dodge for Melling Racing. Compton is Foyt's fifth driver in three years.

``Just the opportunity to race for A.J. Foyt is pretty special to me,'' Compton said. ``I grew up watching him. I told the guys, 'You think about anything that can happen to us or will happen to us, A.J. has been there and done that.' It's happened to him.

``It's going to be a lot of fun. I know it's going to be a lot of work. We're going to have some good times and some bad times. I think I'm probably as an intense a race-car driver as A.J. is. I may show it a little bit different, but I think we both give 110 percent.''

--Willow Springs offers motorcycle school: Willow Springs International Motorsports Park in Rosamond is forming the Willow Springs Motorcycle Academy designed to target street riders who want to learn how to race and ride motorcycles.

The school will be limited to 20 students, open to all riders and required for any rider who does not have an approved racing license.

The first school will be Jan. 18. Riders who wish to enroll in the school can call Willow Springs International Motorsports Park at [phone].