Bill Weber: NASCAR Security Guard

Who knew I was burying the treasure so deep.

I've had a few people e-mail me today complaining that I buried this little anecdote about Bill Weber too deep in a recent posting, so I decided to give it its own due. We'll call it "hairbrush with greatness," security guard style.

This was what I wrote in a blog posting early today that centered on ESPN's NASCAR coverage this season.

On a side note, I was never a fan of the style of NBC's Bill Weber but I became even less of a fan when the two of us had a chance meeting last year on pit road at New Hampshire International Speedway in July.

It was after the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at the track in which Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards competed. A few drivers had some scuffles with Stewart on the track and were waiting on pit road for him, so the scene was a little hectic. I was one of the first reporters down to pit road from the press box after the race and was making my way to Jerry Marquis’ car to get his reaction. As I got about 15 feet away from Marquis’ car someone reached out, grabbed my arm, stopped me and said ‘You can’t go over there.’

I looked up and it was Weber.

Bill Weber was telling me I couldn’t go talk to a driver competing in a division in which I’ve covered nearly every race for the last 10 years? And that was besides the fact that Weber had about as much authority to tell me where I could go as a drunken fan passed out in the grandstand.

It was a funny moment to say the least. I yanked my arm away and asked Weber, ‘Who are you?’ I don’t think he appreciated that. As I kept walking past him Weber shot me a look like I had just stolen his case of hairspray for the next day’s broadcast.

Shawn Courchesne, 11:41 a.m.

Comments

[LOL]

Keep a lookout for the noiseless black helicopters, they are after you. Waltrip is piloting and Weber is navigating.

From Shawn:
Thanks. I'll keep my eyes open. Reminds me of Henry Hill's plight late in Goodfellas. Think I'll hear some Eric Clapton guitar riffs in the background when they come?
By the way, you should use the same author name when you leave comments, TC.

[Richard]

I do believe you can trace the alleged decline in NASCAR TV ratings back to the incredibly dumb decision to make Weber the lead announcer for NBC - Allen Bestwick was and still is far, far better than even Weber thinks Weber is.

[Va. Gentleman]

How to watch Nascar... Step 1 Turn down the volume on TV. Step 2 Turn on the radio and tune to MRN. Set back and enjoy the race.. I do... ESPN has set all new highs in broadcasting. Most of these guys have no clue about the sport except Marty Smith, and a few active and inactive drivers... Where do they get these guys.. NBA, NFL, Etc. Why? It's not like they can't find knowledgeable people.. Heck.. They are ESPN... Hire Richard Petty, David Pearson, and Bobby Allison.. Now there is a show to watch.. The Doc as Color man.. I am still after many years still trying to figure out Chris Mayers.. He is awful in Nascar and even worse in college and pro football... Pull the straps and give me a boogidy boogidy. How stupid do these producers think we are...Worse than the Imus Show... If you have ever turned up you TV when they go to mics around the track and they show the sound meter you just might be a redneck...

[mia motor sports fan]

If you really want to see Bill in action just go to: http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/
opinion/05/23/memorial.day/index.html
and read the article by Weber.

He says that Memorial Day was originally called DECLARATION DAY.

I do not believe it is a type-o. I believe he researched it and thought it said DECLARATION DAY. It is actually DECORATION DAY.

From Shawn:
Great find there. That's hilarious.

[Gary Youngblood]

Thank God, after this weekend we only have to but up with no-neck for two more weeks. Why would TNT not see through this sob.
Gary Y

[MallardMike]

YOU MAY HARP ON NBC...you haven't seen anything that is about to hit us with ABC/ESPN. You will begging for Webber. Listening to Dr. Punch is like listening to a heart attack waiting to happen. Rusty...sorry he is not an announcer...and nobody does it worse than Cowlishaw reporting on ESPN. My 17 yr old daughter knows more than him. As far as Suzzy, she fits in like a zit on your face.

NOTE TO ESPN: NASCAR is not college football.