1on1: Boo Weekley

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- PGA Tour regular Boo Weekley, an integral part of the United States' Ryder Cup victory at Valhalla Golf Club last month, was on hand Sunday to wave the green flag before the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Weekley, a native of Milton, Fla., is a long-time fan of NASCAR and brought wife Karyn and son Parker to the track in hopes of meeting Dale Earnhardt Jr. Not only did he accomplish that feat, Junior was so excited to meet him Junior asked if someone could take a picture of the two together.

Weekley took a few moments to talk about his passion for racing, for golf and how the two are similar and separate:

Q: So you got a chance to meet Dale Earnhardt Jr.? Was it what you expected?

Boo Weekley

Weekley: Yes. We got a chance to sit down and talk with him and check on everything, how things are going. He's just common folk. All these guys are. That's what impresses me. The only time you see them is on TV and then all of sudden you get to meet them in person and they're just regular guys.

Q: What have you noticed that's similar between the PGA Tour and NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series?

Weekley: Actually the fan base is very similar. These trailers here are like our equipment trailers. They have all the parts, just like we have all the parts. And they travel. It's very similar.

Q: Were you surprised at the access the fans have with the drivers?

Weekley: Yes, it's unreal. There's a lot more people here [than a PGA tournament], but it's very similar in the fact that everyone's got their favorite. That's what they want to see -- they want to see their main guy win the race. It's the same thing in golf. Everybody wants to see Tiger Woods win the tournament, Phil Mickelson win the tournament, Boo Weekley win the tournament. It's very much the same thing.

Q: One of the things that both sports seem to have in common is the focus and intensity needed to succeed. Is that true?

Weekley: I got to drive at Charlotte's track up there and I don't see how they do it. I have a new respect for that. Of course, watching on TV don't do it no justice. Until you actually get in the car and drive, and granted, that's just you and a guy you're chasing. My nerves would have been shot if I had all them other cars on the side of me at 190 mph. There's no way.

Q: Have you ever had a chance to play golf with some of these guys? There are some pretty good golfers in the garage area.

Weekley: No, I haven't had that opportunity. Last year, I met Jimmie Johnson at [the] Wachovia [Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte]. I saw Michael Waltrip a week ago at a charity event we were doing. So no, I haven't had a chance to play with them, but I know they play.

Q: So if you had the choice between driving a golf ball and driving a racecar, which would it be?

Weekley: I'd much rather play golf. That's the one I know I can do. I don't know about that driving.