NASCAR Icon Passes Away At 86

One of the pioneers of motorsports promotion and the former president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway has passed away at the age of 86, according to a statement from NASCAR. Charlotte Motor Speedway said that Humpy Wheeler died of natural causes on Wednesday in the city of Charlotte. He was surrounded by his loved ones.

“Humpy Wheeler was a visionary whose name became synonymous with promotion and innovation in our sport,” NASCAR chairman Jim France went on to say in a statement about Wheeler’s passing. “During his decades leading Charlotte Motor Speedway, Humpy transformed the fan experience through his creativity, bold ideas and tireless passion. His efforts helped expand NASCAR’s national footprint, cement Charlotte as a must-visit racing and entertainment complex.”

Humpy, whose real name was Howard Augustine Wheeler Jr., was born in 1938 in Belmont, North Carolina. His first big-time publicity job was with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. Wheeler stayed with the company in various roles after they ended their racing program in 1970. He was soon hired by Charlotte Motor Speedway by the company’s owner, Bruton Smith.

According to a report from the New York Post, earlier this year, Wheeler received the highly prestigious Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. The racing icon will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next year.

“Humpy’s contributions to and accomplishments in NASCAR are without parallel. The breadth and depth of his legacy, and those whom he influenced, assisted and mentored, cannot be overstated,” Winston Kelley, executive director of the Hall of Fame, said of Wheeler.

“Frequently adding new dynamics to the sport, Humpy’s visionary leadership and creativity helped shape today’s fan experience. Through his innovative promotions and stunts, Wheeler’s contributions expanded NASCAR’s national and international presence during the 1990s and early 2000s, solidifying Charlotte as ‘NASCAR’s Home for Racing,’” Kelley added.

During his time in the racing world, Wheeler took “hundreds, if not thousands” under his wing, Kelley continued. Two of these individuals included inaugural Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt and Landmark Award recipient Janet Guthrie.

Wheeler ran Charlotte Motor Speedway for over three decades. The innovations and pre-race shows he put on recreated famous military operations from history, including the invasion of Grenada. All of this led to Charlotte Motor Speedway being the standard for others across the world.

The racing legend is survived by his wife, Pat; daughters Traci and Patti; son, Trip; and four grandchildren.