His nickname says it all: “Tiger Tom” Pistone was one of the racing’s fiercest competitors in its early years, and an innovator whose ideas about chassis setup changed the way race cars were built.  Fifty years later, he is still using his experience as a NASCAR pioneer, coaching and building cars for the sport’s next generation.       

Making his own start at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL, in the 1950’s, Pistone grew accustomed to a rough-and-tumble style of racing that made for non-stop action, but was not easy on the machinery.  

“Up north around Chicago, they were all quarter-mile race tracks and the races were like crash-fests,” said Pistone.  “They used to start the fastest qualifier from the rear.” 

As evidenced by his five track championships there, Soldier Field’s fiery racing scene helped Pistone develop a keen ability to modify his car for maximum handling.  When he left the Midwest for North Carolina in 1955, his ingenuity soon made an impact on the racing world that was unprecedented. 

“I had a 1955 Chevrolet, and I had stuff on there that these guys down here never saw,” said Pistone.  “There was nothing on the car that wasn’t adjustable.” 

Because of the often rutted track surfaces of dirt ovals in the South, involved chassis setup was not yet common according to Pistone.  More attention was paid to just getting the car around the track, and not so much to how it actually turned. 

“When I came south in 1955, they more or less had strictly stock automobiles,” explained Pistone.  “They were cars like you actually drove on the street.” 

Compared to the standard cars many were driving, Pistone’s tweaked machines had extraordinary turning ability, thanks in part to a device he introduced, called the screw-jack.  Basically a bolt that extended down through the coil spring from the top, it allowed ride-height to be adjusted and optimized for each track and driving style. 

According to Pistone, as asphalt tracks became more prevalent, his knack for setup became invaluable and started to turn a few heads at the track.  While driving for General Motors at a 1957 event at Manassas, VA, Pistone and teammate Rex White not only qualified for pole positions, but swept the race with a 1-2 finish and White in victory lane. 

“Ford Motor Company protested us,” said Pistone.  “They took one of the cars back in the shop and dismantled it.  They couldn’t believe the stuff that was on that car, but it was legal.” 

For the 1959 season, his first full year in the top Grand National Series, Pistone switched over to Ford when the opportunity came to try his setup skills on a different chassis. 

“John Holman, under Bill France Sr.’s orders, built ‘59 T-Birds that he sold for $5500 bucks, race ready,” said Pistone.  “We got one of the cars and started advancing things.  When we got to Daytona, I had the fastest time for about a week.  That was a good car.”  

Pistone’s driving skill and setup prowess scored him two victories that year, along with 12 top-5 finishes, and 18 top-10s.  He also ended up 6^th in points, strong for a rookie even by today’s standards. 

Over the next decade, Pistone drove for several different teams and manufacturers, finishing in the top-5 and top-10 multiple times.  Along the way he earned a reputation for playing practical jokes, often going back and forth with his fellow competitor and close friend Tiny Lund.  All told, he finished his career with two wins, 29 top-5s, and 53 top-10s in 130 starts.   

Running only limited races as the 1960’s drew to a close, Pistone took time to refocus on his parts and setup business, which he had started in Charlotte, NC, in 1955.  Using his unique expertise, he built cars for numerous Winston Cup drivers over the years, including 18-time Cup Series race winner Harry Gant. 

In the early 1990’s, Pistone began his involvement with what has become a standard stepping stone for many of today’s drivers, the INEX Legends series. 

“When Humpy Wheeler first started it, he needed a technical director to help make the rules,” explained Pistone.  “So that’s how I got involved.  Then my grandsons got in it, and that’s what kept me in racing.” 

When he’s not busy advising Legends drivers at the track, or setting up cars at his shop, Pistone works to increase awareness of members of the NASCAR family that have fallen on hard times.  He is currently working to raise money for a foundation that will help former drivers, mechanics, crewmen, and officials who gave so much to make NASCAR what it is today. 

“Tiger Tom” will also be appearing on a radio program, “NASCAR Then and Now,” which will be broadcast on WHIP 1350 AM from Mooresville, NC.  The first show will occur at 5 P.M. on April 1^st, 2009, and will discuss the progression of the sport from its earliest beginnings to one of America’s top spectator attractions.