NASCAR tire changer uses college roots to live his dream with Trackhouse

CONCORD, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Give Ben Weber eight or nine seconds to change a tire because he knows that’s all he’s got.

Mess up with the wheel coming off? That could be a two-week suspension. To you or me, that sounds challenging. To Weber, it’s a dream come true.

“A lot of people called me crazy for getting involved with racing,” he said. “Seven-eight years later, it’s paid off.”

The road less traveled from Kansas took the 26-year-old man from Belmont and Concord to live his racing dream. And now he’s gearing up for NASCAR’s Super Bowl of racing, the Daytona 500 Sunday. He’s looking to return to victory lane, a place he ended up in last year after The Great American Race with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

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Weber’s giving his best for Trackhouse Racing this time, led by former racer Justin Marks and entertainer Pitbull. It’s a situation he’s thriving in.

This Sunday, the tire changer will work to get Daniel Hemric’s No. 31 Cirkul Chevrolet with the Kaulig Racing into Victory Lane. Hemric starts from the 19th row in the 37th spot.

Belmont Abbey effect

Weber found his love for racing at a young age.

An uncle set him on the path to his racing love around age 6. Over the years, his family took a few two-hour trips to Kansas Speedway. That love of the sport guided him toward motorsports programs and North Carolina.

Weber learned of the Belmont Abbey College motorsports program, took some tours, and felt like being in Belmont was a great fit. The student quickly worked to acclimate to college life and driving in metro Charlotte. And get acclimated.

“A ten-minute drive (in Kansas),” he said. “could easily turn into 30 minutes (in Charlotte).

While attending from 2016 to 2020, he worked through classes, Covid-19, and connections. During his sophomore year, he started training for pit crew work. Weber remembers being at Belmont Abbey and thinking about how to “grow his network as fast as possible.”

Many of his days turned into networking with NASCAR types. He remembers legendary promotor and Charlotte Motor Speedway maverick Humpy Wheeler coming to talk to one of his Abbey classes.

Weber recalls junior and senior years being at the track. While it was fun, he remembered the stress and balance of it. After the Abbey, Weber had stops with Ganassi, RFK, and JTG Daugherty shops.

After reaching the highest point in his career with the Stenhouse Jr. win with JTG Daughtry racing, he found a new home at Trackhouse this season.

So far, he hasn’t been disappointed, saying the team “feels like a good fit.”

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Racing in general

For now, Weber and his team have Daytona to look forward to. Recently engaged, the tire changer is part of the Trackhouse web of race staffing. The Concord-based organization staffs other NASCAR teams like Front Row and Spire.

Comparing a tire changer to another challenging sport, Weber says he sees pit crew members like NFL kicking teams.

“We have 8 to 9 seconds,” he said. “We have to execute our job. We’re expected to do our job.”

And that’s probably why teams target folks who can do the footwork and jump the pit walls.

You can add fancy footwork and skill to the equation, but you still need the complete picture. Technology is constantly in flux, and the league is always looking to improve cars and teams. Different cars require different lung nuts, and Weber knows how to adjust.

Weber has seen Victory Lane and uses those memories for race preparation. But the nervousness comes and goes.

“I’ve been in those moments, have had those successes,” he said. “I go back to those moments and know what I need to do. You have to renew your mind, stay sharp for these races.”

Preparation comes with prayer, reading books, and listening to podcasts.

At 26, Weber wants to go another ten years “as long as his body will let him.”

“As long as it lets me do it,” Weber said. “I’ll do it.”

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