Humpy Wheeler, longtime president and GM of Charlotte Motor Speedway, has died

Howard Augustine “Humpy” Wheeler Jr., longtime president and general manager of the Charlotte Motor Speedway, died Wednesday at the age of 86, according to a release.

The announcement released Thursday morning said Wheeler was surrounded by his loving family when he died peacefully of natural causes.

Charlotte Motor Speedway released the following statement on Wheeler’s death:

“Charlotte Motor Speedway was blessed to have a leader in Humpy Wheeler who can only be described as ONE of a kind.

For more than 30 years, Humpy was a promoter’s promoter at Charlotte Motor Speedway. 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.”

While the motorsports world has lost an icon, the legacy H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler created by building and promoting remarkable events at Charlotte Motor Speedway will continue for generations to come.”

Wheeler joined Speedway Motorsports in 1975 after being hired by founder Bruton Smith, and oversaw operations at the speedway until his retirement in 2008.

You can read Wheeler’s full obituary by clicking here.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Wheeler’s name to the Belmont Abbey College Motorsports Management Progam. Wheeler helped launch the program over 20 years ago to help “prepare young professionals for business, management and marketing roles across the industry,” a release said.

Donations to the program can be made here:

Belmont Abbey College Motorsport Management Program
Office of College Relations
100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road
Belmont, NC 28012
collegerelations@bac.edu