Houston lifts off at PPI, Little out in the cold?

After making an impressive Winston Cup debut for the PPI team at the Pepsi 400 presented by Meijer earlier in the month, 29-year-old Andy Houston has been given the ride on a full time basis for the 2001 season. Houston was confirmed as the driver of the second PPI car as the ever-expanding outfit makes its first two-pronged assault on the Winston Cup.

Cal Wells' team branched into NASCAR circles this year with former single seater ace Scott Pruett with a subsequent ride for young single seater hotshoe Anthony Lazzaro in the Busch Grand National Series. The plan was for Lazzaro to graduate, with McDonalds, to the Winston Cup this year but a series of injuries and poor performances forced the driver out before mid season.

Houston, currently competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Addington Racing, shot into the frame at Michigan when he not only raced into the starting field during second round qualifying but also ran in the top 20 for much of the race before an engine problem sidelined him.

The young driver hails from Hickory, North Carolina, which is ironically the place where PPI are relocating their NASCAR and Champ Car teams in 2001. Team boss Wells had also been considering the experienced Chad Little for the drive and gave the nine-year Winston Cup veteran a ride in the supporting Busch race at Michigan.

However despite Little's impressive performance, Wells plumped for the younger Houston to partner Pruett next year. Everyone's known about Andy's abilities for some time now," said Wells in the official announcement ceremony yesterday. "We were especially impressed with his performance in our second car at Michigan...To end up with an athlete of Andy's tremendous ability is fortunate."

Houston will compete in several end of season Winston Cup events as the team prepares for next year although he will still be classified as a rookie in 2001. The driver, who is currently third in the NCTS points standings, was delighted to be part of the Winston Cup scene this year and beyond. "I couldn't be happier to be entering the NASCAR Winston Cup Series next year with McDonalds and PPI Motorsports. This is a huge opportunity for me and my family."

Little meanwhile is still searching for a ride, and a sponsor as current backer John Deere is expected to stay with the Roush team. The PPI ride appeared to be the most competitive available at the moment and with no main sponsor to back him up, the Spokane native will have to hope that a fully funded ride emerges during the remainder of the current season. Little is currently flirting with a place in the top 20 in points and has just one top ten finish to his credit this year.