2000-2002
Compton struggled during his first year in Cup, as his best finish was 16th at New Hampshire International Speedway. That summer Michigan race, he crashed during qualifying and suffered minor injuries. He was replaced by Bobby Hillin Jr. at the following event. Compton ended the year 38th in points.
In 2001, Melling switched to #92 and Dodge. Compton started the season by qualifying on the outside pole at the Daytona 500, and went on to score a 10th-place finish. At the next restrictor-plate race at Talladega Superspeedway, he won his first Cup pole position, but finished last due to mechanical issues. After winning another pole at Talladega, he was only able to improve his points position by five spots. At the end of the year, sponsorship problems at Melling forced him to look elsewhere for a job.
In 2002, Compton signed with A.J. Foyt Racing to drive the #14 Conseco Pontiac. He had a best finish of eighteenth when Conseco filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. He was let go after the New England 300. He returned to Melling for one race before running two races for BAM Racing at the end of the year. His last Cup start for nine years came at the 2003 Pepsi 400 for Morgan-McClure Motorsports.
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