Background
Houston was born in Hickory, North Carolina, and was in the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing Late Model Sportsmen division, winning nearly 150 races before the series was formed into the Busch Series.
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Tommy Houston
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Education
Driving the #27 Kings Inn Chevy for Mike Day, Houston started 23rd and finished the race in 9th position.
Career
Over his career, Houston and Jack Ingram became known as the pair of journeymen drivers that helped that series grow throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Houston made the inaugural race of the Busch Series at the 1982 Daytona race. The very next week, Houston started 15th at the series first ever short track race Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway.
After problems at Bristol, Houston put together a run of 5 top-10 finishes.
However, inconsistency through the year cost him. He did not finish the last 3 races as well as 7 others
That cost him any shot at the title. All told, he finished 4th in the 1982 Busch Series points.
In 1983, Houston began running his #6 full-time.
He was able to reduce his DNF count from 10 to 6. He had four more top-10 finishes. He also finished 2nd three times.
His sponsors over the years included Southern Biscuit Flour, Roses Stores, and later Red Devil Paints.
Houston snapped a 50 race winless streak at his home track on Easter Sunday in 1992 after the loss of his father the day before. The United States of America Today headline read "Divine Intervention".
His family was very involved in his efforts. He was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 2008.
Achievements
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From there, Houston moved solidly through the field and held off Bubba Nissen for the win. At Hickory Speedway in August, however, Houston held off Tommy Ellis for his second career win after starting 4th. He won two races at Orange County Speedway, and one each at Indianapolis Raceway Park and Hickory. Houston came from 3 laps down to overtake Bobby Labonte for the win.
