Tom Usry (February 9, 1937 - August 22, 2009) was a NASCAR driver from Sanford, NC. He competed in one Nextel Cup Series and five Nationwide Series events in his career. Despite a limited NASCAR career, Usry is best remembered for a spectacular crash in the 1989 ARCA 200 while running in fifth place with only a handful of laps to go.
Winston Cup[]
Usry's lone Cup start came in 1970, when Usry raced at Malta. Starting 23rd in the field of twenty-eight, Usry fell quite a few laps down but still ran to a respectable 11th place effort.
Nationwide Series[]
Usry's first Nationwide Series (then Busch Series) effort came in 1982, when Usry started at Charlotte. Starting positions in the field of forty, Usry didn't even get to completed a lap before ending up 37th.
Usry returned to the series in 1984, competing at Rockingham. Starting 28th in the field of thirty-six, Usry had midrace engine failure and wound up 25th.
Finally, Usry strung together some respectable results, racing for the famous Thomas Brothers Racing Team. Starting 11th in his season debut at Rougemont, Usry completed all but four laps in route to a career-best 15th place effort. He then ended the year with his other series top-twenty: a 20th at Hickory.
His final race came in 1987, when Usry returned to Charlotte. Starting 40th in the field of forty-two, Usry had midrace transmission issues and ended his NASCAR career with a disappointing 39th place effort.