One of NASCAR’s legends, H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, has died, the Charlotte Motor Speedway confirmed on Thursday morning. And since then the tributes have been pouring in from across the sport.
On Thursday evening, a real titan weighed in. Jeff Gordon, a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, paid homage to the late, great promoter.
“I was lucky to be one of the countless young drivers Humpy Wheeler supported as I made my way in NASCAR,” Gordon wrote on Twitter. “He was a true promoter who always put the fans first. Everything with Humpy was larger than life, and his passion for the sport and its people will never be forgotten. He was a friend for many years and will be deeply missed.”
Wheeler was responsible for some of the biggest and most out-of-the-box events and promotions in NASCAR. Not only did Humpy Wheeler know how to put on a show, but he also helped springboard the sport into the mainstream. If it weren’t for Wheeler, the night race wouldn’t exist for tracks like Charlotte, Daytona and other large venues.
Today, the NASCAR community is remembering the longtime race promoter. As President and General Manager of the track known as America’s Home for Racing, Wheeler helped define an era of motorsports and NASCAR racing. His impact is still felt today.
Charlotte Motor Speedway released a statement on Humpy Wheeler’s passing. There have been many touching tributes to the late icon throughout the day.
“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.”
On3’s Jonathan Howard also contributed to this report.
