What Drives NASCAR's John Roberts?

Millions of viewers know John Roberts as the co-host of SPEED's "NASCAR RaceDay," traveling from city to city to cover the big races and hobnobbing with the biggest names in racing. "I'm on the road every weekend," he says. While he loves his job, Roberts says that when he's on the road, he misses another one of his passions - woodworking.

"I wish I could figure out a way to bring my workshop with me," says Roberts. That would be difficult, considering his garage at home is filled to the rafters with all types of equipment and tools, from jigsaws to levels to router bits. It is also full of items he has made or is in the process of making for friends and family. Roberts has tackled projects small and large, from jewelry boxes that he and his wife give as gifts, to larger pieces like cabinets and Adirondack chairs.

"When I'm not on the stage or in the studio, I'm in the garage. My garage is my sanctuary," says Roberts. "Often, I get off the plane, head to Home Depot to pick up things I need for a project, and head home to build something." His woodworking skill even helped support Roberts in the early days of his career.

He started his television career as a weekend sports anchor in Charlotte, N.C. "People think that TV personalities make a lot of money, but I wasn't earning much as the weekend sports anchor in the 27th largest market in the country," Roberts explains. To supplement his income, he ran a landscaping and construction business on the side.

"People got a kick out of seeing me on television on Sunday and then waking up on Monday to find me mowing their lawns," Roberts laughs. The company also built decks, and that experience served Roberts well when he added a spectacular deck to his house. "It has various levels, lots of wonderful details," he says.

In 2001, in addition to his weekend sports anchor duties, Roberts began hosting "NASCAR This Morning" (now known as "NASCAR RaceDay") and "NASCAR Victory Lane" on race days for Fox Sports Net and SPEED. Now that his broadcasting career is in full swing, Roberts no longer owns the landscaping business. "What was once work is now a hobby," he says.

Visit www.speedtv.com to follow John and all the NASCAR action.

Courtesy of ARA Content