Guys behind the scenes make the sport special

The Nextel Cup garage is a constant buzz of sound and a colorful blur of a million faces. Well, it's not really a million faces ... but if you do the math, and that's not my strong suit, it's at least a thousand faces, and many more. They are the men, and the women, you rarely see behind the stars you can't wait to see. They are our heroes. They are our friends.

People that are not "real" race fans often ask why I love NASCAR racing so much.

Bill Weber

I have never really understood the question. After all, there's the thrill of the sport, the challenge, the speed, the competition. And then, there are the people. And that is one big reason why I love the sport. The people.

If the people weren't any fun to be around, the sport wouldn't be any fun, either. Lifelong friends are made in the garage, not just with the high profile drivers, crew chiefs and owners, but with people you might never see or have the privilege of meeting. If the car could prepare itself, or repair itself, we wouldn't need these guys. Fortunately, it can't. So we have the pleasure of meeting the men behind the men.

There are a lot of examples I could share with you. I should point out that the late Chuck Rider, a former Nextel Cup team owner introduced me to my wife. I had known Chuck for a number of years and he and I had become close friends.

But I've always felt the garage is about the faces the fans see but never get to put a name to. Maybe they see them in background shots on television coverage or while watching through the fence at the track. Maybe, if they are lucky enough, they'll see them up-close, thanks to one of the greatest gifts a race fan can get, the almighty Garage Pass.

Still no matter how or where you see them, you might never get to put a name with the face.

Here's one name. Kevin White. He is the tire specialist on Kasey Kahne's No. 9 Dodge. I can't remember how I met Kevin, or even where or when. Of course, I can't remember where I left my car keys, either. But it doesn't matter where or when, I'm just so lucky I got to meet him. In a garage that is packed with nice guys, Kevin is one of the best. He is polite, professional and patient when I ask him questions and he takes the time to explain his answers.

That makes my life easier, and our broadcasts more informative for the viewers.

Last year on the Saturday of the fall race at Richmond I wanted to talk to Kevin. I told him to keep working while we talked, but, as usual, he stopped, listened, and answered all my questions.

Kevin has been working in the Nextel Cup garage since 1996. Since 1997 he doesn't remember missing a race, until last summer. It was 10 o'clock Thursday morning, Aug. 17th, the Michigan race weekend was just ahead. Kevin got a call that his mother, Lou, had suffered a stroke. Kevin and his longtime fiance, Michele drove from Charlotte, NC to Pittsville, Maryland to be with his mother and father, Dave. (Continued)