Motorsports
Humpy Wheeler, NASCAR legend and the ‘PT Barnum of motorsports,’ dies at 86
(WGHP) — Former Charlotte Motor Speedway executive and legendary motorsports promoter Humpy Wheeler has died at the age of 86, NASCAR announced.
The “innovative track promoter,” as NASCAR described him, helped propel the sport onto the national stage in the ’70s during his tenure as the general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway.
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Kyle Busch, left, and H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, President of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, chat prior to qualifying in Concord, N.C. Thursday, May 26, 2005. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) -
Francis Flock, left, widow of inductee Tim Flock, laughs with former manager of the Charlotte Motor Speedway, H.A. Humpy Wheeler who presented her with the her late husband’s hall of fame ring during the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone) -
FILE – H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, pays up for being late to the news conference to announce the burnout contest that will be held during the pre-race show before the start of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race during a new conference at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on April 22, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Rick Havner, FILE)
Wheeler held that role for 33 years from 1975-2008 after being hired by Bruton Smith.
“In his more than 30 years on the job, he has never failed to entertain us, and he has always put the fans first,” team owner Rick Hendrick said upon hearing of Wheeler’s departure from Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2008. “Humpy’s contributions will go down as some of the most significant in our sport’s history.”
NASCAR credits Wheeler for bringing the All-Star Race, previously known as the Winston, to Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Wheeler also provided the voice of the character Tex in the “Cars” film franchise.
Charlotte Motor Speedway released the following statement:
Charlotte Motor Speedway was blessed to have a leader in Humpy Wheeler who can only be described as ONE of a kind. For more than 30 years, Humpy was a promoter’s promoter at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Alongside our founder Bruton Smith, Humpy pushed the speedway to new and greater heights – establishing the famed 1.5-mile superspeedway as not only the most innovative facility in NASCAR for fan, partner and competitor amenities, but also one of the most progressive in all of sports.
Humpy’s engaging smile and flair for promotion were legendary, and his impact on every stakeholder in motorsports will be long-lasting. Often described as the “P.T. Barnum of motorsports,” Humpy not only made his mark with publicity, but also with a laser-focus toward the fans. He would often tell his staff to pay attention to “the three Ts – tickets, traffic and toilets” in order to ensure fans have the best possible experience. He would also say it was our job to put a little “technicolor in people’s black-and-white lives.”
While the motorsports world has lost an icon, the legacy H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler created by building and promoting remarkable events at Charlotte Motor Speedway will continue for generations to come.
Wheeler retired from Charlotte Motor Speedway and Speedway Motorsports in 2008 after a bitter falling out with Smith, but remained active in motorsports through his own consulting company and was on the voting panel for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife, Pat; daughters, Traci and Patti; son, Trip; and four grandchildren.
Wheeler’s family asks that donations be made in Wheeler’s name to the Belmont Abbey College Motorsports Management Program. Wheeler helped launch the program 20 years ago.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.