Houston out of a job after three races

CONCORD, N.C. -- Andy Houston has been released as driver of the No. 92 Excedrin Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series after just three races, a team spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday morning.

			Andy Houston

That was the extent of the spokeswoman's comments, although she did say a statement from the team would be released later this afternoon.

Herzog-Jackson Motorsports had a previously scheduled two-day test Tuesday and Wednesday at Darlington Raceway. Todd Bodine, who planned to be in Darlington to help out rookie drivers Kerry Earnhardt and Casey Mears before Houston was released, was scheduled to test the No. 92 car Tuesday.

With their diverse background in off-road racing, the Herzogs have reportedly enlisted off-road veteran and Winston Cup driver Robby Gordon to test the car on Wednesday before they make a decision on their driver for the March 16 darlingtonraceway.com 200.

Houston took over the Herzog-Jackson Motorsports machine at the outset of the 2002 campaign, replacing young Jimmie Johnson, who ascended to the Winston Cup Series and the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet.

Oddly enough, Houston didn't run very badly in those three events, scoring a top 10 at Daytona, then a 17th-place effort at Rockingham before finishing 24th last weekend at Las Vegas. He currently ranks 11th in the NASCAR Busch Series point standings.

Houston has had his fair share of tough luck over the past two seasons.

After an impressive stint in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, he moved to the Winston Cup Series last year with Cal Wells' PPI Motorsports outfit, but struggled direly in the No. 96 McDonald's Ford. He failed to make several events, and scored eight DNFs in just 17 starts.