Humpy Wheeler was one of NASCAR's great visionaries, innovators

The 1992 All-Star Race was just one example of how brilliant a promoter that Wheeler, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86, was. 

"Humpy Wheeler was a visionary whose name became synonymous with promotion and innovation in our sport," said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France in a statement. "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."

Wheeler was the president of Charlotte Motor Speedway for 33 years. During that span, he came up with ingenious ways of getting fans to come to races. The pre-race festivities during Wheeler's time as track president included school buses jumping over junked cars, a recreation of the United States' invasion of Grenada and the iconic "Robosaurus," a giant robot that destroyed condemned cars by dropping them from its grasp. 

Wheeler was appropriately dubbed the "P.T. Barnum of NASCAR" for his work in bringing outlandish entertainment to the racetrack. 

But Wheeler was far from just a businessman — he had a deep understanding and love for the sport of stock-car racing that he grew up with and eventually worked in. 

One of Wheeler's shining moments came in 1976. To that point in NASCAR history, no female driver had competed in a race at a track as big as Charlotte. 

Enter Janet Guthrie, Wheeler and the 17th running of the World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. 

Wheeler was impressed by Guthrie's talent after watching her on the IndyCar circuit earlier in 1976. Wheeler's move to reach out to Guthrie paid off — she finished 15th in NASCAR's longest race. 

Wheeler retired as president of the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2008, but his legacy persisted. Earlier this year, Wheeler was named the winner of the 2026 NASCAR Landmark Achievement Award for his contributions to the sport, ensuring his name will forever be enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. 

In a sport full of daredevils, there may not have been as daring a man as Humpy Wheeler — a legacy he carried in life, and one he'll carry for the rest of time.