H.A. ‘Humpy’ Wheeler from NASCAR has passed away at 86.

Ha “Humpy” Wheeler Passes Away at 86

Ha “Humpy” Wheeler, the president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, known for his extravagant pre-race shows, died on Wednesday at the age of 86. He passed away from natural causes, surrounded by family, as confirmed by the speedway.

Wheeler began his career with Bruton Smith, the founder of Speedway Motorsports, in 1975 and managed operations at one of NASCAR’s premier venues until retiring in 2008. His nickname, “Motorsports’ P.T. Barnum,” arose from his impressive and elaborate pre-race stunts.

In a statement, Charlotte Motor Speedway reflected on his legacy, saying, “We were fortunate to have a leader like Humpy Wheeler, who made our venue truly unique.” Jim France, Chairman and CEO of NASCAR, also praised him, stating, “Humpy’s vision and innovative spirit became synonymous with promotion in our sport. He truly transformed the fan experience with his creativity and passion.” France expressed gratitude on behalf of NASCAR and the French family to Wheeler’s family and everyone touched by his remarkable life.

Wheeler’s racing journey began at a young age at a dirt track near Charlotte Douglas International Airport. At just 11, he promoted bicycle racing in his hometown. Before diving into auto racing, he played football at the University of South Carolina but faced a career-ending injury. A brief consideration of a boxing career followed, but his path led him to promote racing at various tracks during the 1960s.

His pre-show entertainment has been credited with significantly contributing to the success of Charlotte Motor Speedway. In a 1997 interview, he emphasized the need for excitement before races, stating, “Big events should have a lot of fanfare…it’s about creating an atmosphere that entertains fans and energizes the competitors.”