Furniture Row Racing has taken another major step in a continuing
effort to strengthen its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team.
The Denver-based organization, which fields the No. 78
Chevrolet driven by 24-time Cup winner Kurt Busch, announced today that it will
develop, train and oversee its own over-the-wall pit crew starting with the
2013 season.
Furniture Row Racing has been utilizing over-the-wall crews
employed and trained by other NASCAR teams, most recently with crewmen from
Stewart-Haas Racing.
Mike “Tiny” Houston, a veteran over-the-wall crewman, has been
hired as the pit crew coach for Furniture Row Racing. He will oversee and
direct the specialized pit crew of six members, who will train at the
32,000-square foot Performance Instruction & Training (PIT) facility in
Mooresville, N.C.
Houston joins Furniture Row Racing from Hendrick Motorsports where
he performed the front-tire carrier duties on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s race car.
During his seven-year stint at Hendrick Motorsports, Houston also worked as a
front-tire carrier on Jeff Gordon’s and Jimmie Johnson’s cars.
A standout athlete, Houston played football (defensive tackle) for
Western Carolina University and wrestled professionally in the National Wrestling
Alliance. He was known as the Minister of Pain during his wrestling career.
“Re-establishing our own over-the-wall crew has been high on our
radar,” said Furniture Row Racing general manager Joe Garone. “But before
entering into this vital operation, we wanted to make sure that we had
everything in place that would allow us to produce a highly-qualified
over-the-wall crew.
“With Mike Houston
coming on board to lead us in this new venture, he brings first-hand experience
and a thorough understanding of what it takes to develop and maintain a
successful pit crew week in and week out. And being able to train at the
state-of-the-art PIT facility is a great opportunity that will only enhance our
program.”
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