Spouse: Lorie Kids: Collin Hometown: Hickory, NC Birthdate: November 7, 1970 Hobbies: Golf, Snow skiing, and riding his Harley Davidson

Andy Houston may find that the best thing about his Raybestos Rookie of the Year season in the Winston Cup Series is that his PPI Motorsports shop complex is in his hometown of Hickory, N.C. Otherwise, the Craftsman Truck Series graduate, one of three drivers who comes to Winston Cup from trucks this season, may find the going rough.

In 2000, Houston made his final year in the truck series a career effort. He finished third in the standings, winning at Homestead and Portland, a road course victory that he called one of the most significant accomplishments of his career. He had 13 top-5 and 18 top-10 finishes in 24 races.

Houston also found time to make five starts in the Winston Cup Series in the No. 96 McDonald's Ford he will drive in 2001 for team owner Cal Wells III. Houston experienced both ends of the spectrum in that effort. He qualified 35th for his debut in August at Michigan International Speedway and ran as high as sixth before the car's engine failed. His brief foray into NASCAR's premier season reached a low point when he was involved in an accident at Homestead with teammate Scott Pruett that eliminated both PPI cars from the race after only 23 laps. His best finish was 26th, in October at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

In 1999 he was eighth in points in the truck series with five top-5s and his second series pole. In 1998, his rookie season in the truck series, he won at New Hampshire and won his first pole, at California Speedway. He garnered six top-5s and was 12th in series points.

The youngest son of Busch Series legend Tommy Houston made four starts in the truck series in 1997 with a top finish of 11th. He raced his entire CTS career for owner Mike Addington.

Has also raced in Goody's Dash Series, winning that division's most popular driver award in 1996. From 1990-1995 he raced in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series and won Hickory Motor Speedway's Late Model Stock Car championship in 1994, racing against his older brother Marty.

Houston keeps his racing a family affair. He raced against Marty in the truck series in 2000 and he joins older brother Scott, who is an engineer with PPI.