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Professor Houston Makes The Grade
 CONCORD,
NC- (May 4, 2004) - When Gustavo Garibo, a student at J.N. Fries Middle
School, wrote a letter asking for assistance with his eighth grade science
class, he certainly didn't expect NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver
Andy Houston to show up and give a lecture on physics. But that is exactly
what happened Tuesday morning when Houston showed up at the Concord, NC
school and discussed the properties of momentum, velocity, speed and
Newton's three laws of motion. Houston utilized examples of these physics
principles as they relate to motorsports and illustrated how his NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series team uses these scientific principles on a daily
basis.
"This was a great group of kids," said Houston, driver of the No. 2 Team
ASE/CARQUEST Dodge. "They were very interested in how we use science in
motors ports
and how we use it to make our truck go faster. They were extremely
knowledgeable about our sport and their teacher, Kelly Scott, has done a
great job using racing as a motivational and teaching tool."
Mrs. Scott's class listened intently as Houston described how motorsports
has developed into a highly technical enterprise dependent upon many
applications of a scientific nature. The sport is certainly a far cry from
where Houston started as a young teenager working for his father, NASCAR
Busch Series legend Tommy Houston.
"NASCAR racing has come so far from a technological standpoint," claimed
Houston, a 33 year-old native of Hickory, NC. "Today teams utilize a
variety of engineers, shock specialists and highly trained technicians.
That is why we continue to stress the importance of getting the best
education possible. It is only going to help you no matter what you choose
as a profession."
Houston made light of Newton's third law of motion which states: For every
action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Houston held up a
photograph of his badly damaged and crumpled Team ASE/CARQUEST Dodge at
Daytona and said, "This is what happens when you have an opposite and
equal reaction."
"Andy did a great job teaching." Kelly Scott stated. "He really identified
well with the students. If he ever wants to stop racing he may have a
second career. It really means a lot to these kids to have someone express
an interest in their future."
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