If it was over the top, outrageous or unthinkable to do before a NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Howard “Humpy” Wheeler was all for it.
Wheeler, who was an innovative leader in motorsports promotion, died on August 20 at the age of 86.
Tributes the NASCAR industry started pouring in when the news broke early on Thursday.
Charlotte Motor Speedway was Home
In 1975, track owner Bruton Smith hired Wheeler as the track’s development director before becoming president the following year. He would remain in that capacity until his retirement in 2008. The track released a statement regarding its former leader’s death.
“Charlotte Motor Speedway was blessed to have a leader in Humpy Wheeler who can only be described as ONE of a kind,” CMS said. “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.’”
NASCAR Hall of Famers React
Richard Petty, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and inaugural inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, spent plenty of years around Wheeler. “The King” saw firsthand what Wheeler’s impact leaves on the sport.
“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Humpy Wheeler,” he said via his X account. “Humpy was one-of-a-kind, a true showman and one of the sharpest minds this sport has ever seen. He didn’t just promote races, he brought ’em to life. He understood what the fans came for, and he know how to put on a show they’d never forget.
“He helped build NASCAR into something special, and his impact will be felt for a long time to come. We’ll all miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. grew up in the shadows of CMS spending endless hours there with his seven-time NASCAR Champion dad, Dale Earnhardt, and witnessed Wheeler’s clever ways.
“He massively impacted the growth and excitement of the entire sport,” said the JR Motorsports team co-owner via X. “He helped tons of drivers and tons of other individuals obtain opportunities that changed lives and careers.
“Always a friend and supporter to the industry. RIP Humpy.”
Humpy Did it BIG
There are so many of his famous promotional stunts to list, and each brought attention to CMS events like no other track. He also led the way for track innovations, and other facilities followed. Here are just a few of both.
- Military “invasion” of the track involving helicopters hovering over the front stretch grass as soldiers repelled to the ground before the May races.
- Stuck his head in the jaws of a real tiger during a period when the “Young Lions” of drivers were making their way up the ranks
- The mechanical fire-breathing robot Robosaurus eating cars on the inner oval
- Helped create “The Winston” in 1985, how called the All-Star Race, with RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company
- In 1992, ran “The Winston” under newly installed track lights to begin nighttime racing
- Created full-time live in and hospitality condos above Turn 1 in 1984
- In 1987, created a private restaurant above the main grandstands called “The Speedway Club”
He wasn’t called P.T Barnum for being shy or fear of innovation.
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