Before he was a member of NASCAR, there was a humorous anecdote about Humpy Wheeler that goes all the way back to those days.
Wheeler played alongside former Baltimore Colts running back Alex Hawkins while attending the University of South Carolina as a left guard. Hawkins claimed that after their time as Gamecocks was over, Wheeler expressed his desire to visit Charlotte and participate in NASCAR’s racing activities.
That was a stupid notion, Hawkins told Wheeler. He refused to make any money. Wheeler made a good living in the racing industry, so the two pals laughed about it years later.
In actuality, he became a legend. Unfortunately, that mythology has vanished.
According to NASCAR, Wheeler passed away on Thursday at the age of 86.
Credited to NASCAR.comWheeler’s creative, frequently extravagant pre-race spectacles helped bring NASCAR to the national scene in the 1970s. He was dubbed the P.T. Barnum of NASCAR in one headline.
His idea for racetrack facilities was also credited to him.
Jim France, the chairman and CEO of NASCAR, was a visionary whose name became synonymous with innovation and marketing in our sport. Through his ingenuity, audacious concepts, and unwavering enthusiasm, Humpy revolutionized the fan experience over his decades as the head of Charlotte Motor Speedway. In addition to making Charlotte a must-see racing and entertainment destination, his efforts helped NASCAR reach a wider national audience. Most recently, he was recognized with the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s esteemed Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. I offer the Wheeler family and everyone impacted by his extraordinary life and legacy my deepest sympathies on behalf of NASCAR and the France family.
NASCAR emphasized the spectacle that the Belmont, North Carolina native turned races at Charlotte Motor Speedway become with his pre-race extravaganzas. He actually ran the track for 33 years. Before the actual racing began, school buses were seen leaping cars headed to the junkyard and even a Robosaurus, which was reportedly a tall, fire-breathing, mechanical robot that could crush cars.
It was adored by the public, and Humpy was adored for it.
It should come as no surprise that the racing community had a strong reaction to the news of his passing on Thursday.
Richard Petty posted on X, “I’m very saddened by Humpy Wheeler’s passing.” One of the sharpest minds our sport has ever seen, Humpy was a one-of-a-kind showman. All of us will miss him. His family is in my prayers and thoughts. RP.
“I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Humpy Wheeler on behalf of my family and our organization,” Rusty Wallace posted on X. Humpy, a recipient of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Landmark Award, had a profound influence on our sport and its operations. He helped develop numerous future leaders in our sport and was a great pioneer who was well ahead of his time. Even though Humpy is no longer with us, his legacy will surely endure. We will miss him terribly.
Peace be with you. The Humpy Wheeler The author was Mario Andretti. The industry is full of titans, but Humpy was the best. No one else will ever be like him. That is Humpy Wheeler’s lasting legacy. My friend, I hope you have a safe and quick voyage to heaven.
Numerous other posts reminiscing on the man who left college football to become a racing legend were also made by racing publications and legends.
