H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, a dynamic personality in the world of auto racing and one of the sport’s leading innovators, died Wednesday at the age of 86.
Long-time president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, Wheeler transformed stock car racing in numerous ways. Operating with a “fans first” philosophy, Wheeler, placed in charge of Charlotte Motor Speedway in the fall of 1975, lifted the profile of one of NASCAR’s best-known facilities with a series of additions, renovations and innovations.
He became known as the P.T. Barnum of auto racing, staging outlandish stunts during pre-race activities and bringing in Hollywood stars and drivers from other series to boost the potential of CMS NASCAR events.
Wheeler, who had had a series of health challenges in recent years, died peacefully with his family by his side, according to Charlotte Motor Speedway officials.
Tributes began pouring in immediately. Wheeler’s relationships ran deep and long across the world of motorsports, from drivers to officials to fellow promoters to news media.
“Humpy Wheeler was a visionary whose name became synonymous with promotion and innovation in our sport,” said NASCAR chairman Jim France. “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 and recently earned him the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s prestigious Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. On behalf of NASCAR and
the France family, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Wheeler family and all who were touched by his remarkable life and legacy.”
NASCAR Hall of Fame voters chose Wheeler for the Landmark Award earlier this year. It was to be presented to him in Hall induction ceremonies in January. He made one of his last public appearances in May when the award was announced.
“Humpy’s contributions to and accomplishments in NASCAR are without parallel,” said NASCAR Hall of Fame executive director Winston Kelley. “The breadth and depth of his legacy, and those whom he influenced, assisted and mentored cannot be overstated.”
Wheeler was an aggressive promoter, and his ideas helped to improve not only events at Charlotte Motor Speedway but also the broader landscape of stock car racing. His most innovative change at CMS occurred in 1992, when he supervised the installation of a lighting system at the track so that the Cup Series All-Star Race could be run at night. Superspeedway night racing was unheard of at that point, but Wheeler’s imagination and the idea of making the impossible possible resulted in a sensational race. Other tracks followed with their own lighting systems, and superspeedway night racing became standard.
Wheeler also was a master of the pre-race environment. To entertain crowds prior to the green flag, he staged a wild variety of pre-race events across the years, including a three-ring circus, boxing matches, an assortment of vehicles leaping over other vehicles on ramps and, perhaps most memorably, recreations of military invasions featuring helicopters and hundreds of soldiers.
The pre-race shows became a famous Wheeler institution, but there was a practical reason behind them. The shows prompted thousands of fans to arrive at the track early, thus spreading incoming traffic across a series of hours.
Wheeler, working with CMS track developer Bruton Smith, added a fine-dining restaurant to the speedway and, in a move mocked by many, built condominiums outside the track’s first turn. They sold out quickly.
A visit to Wheeler’s office high above the speedway revealed the thing that often led his thinking. The spine of a large, paper-filled notebook on a counter behind his desk had one word: FUTURE.
Wheeler retired from CMS in 2008.
After joining the track in 1975, he lost little time in making a big impact. When Janet Guthrie failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 in 1976, Wheeler took advantage of the publicity surrounding the female driver by arranging a ride for her in the World 600 at CMS. Interest in Guthrie’s week at the track helped sell out the facility for the 600. She finished 15th after a storm of publicity.
Wheeler was a member of numerous sports halls of fame, including the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame. Before he started a successful career in auto racing, he was a Golden Gloves championship boxer. He also played football at the University of South Carolina before he was sidelined with a back injury.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Belmont Abbey College Motorsports Management Program at 100 Belmont-Mount Holly Road, Belmont, NC 28012.
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