❗️Humpy Wheeler has passed away at the age of 86 in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 20, 2025. He was best known as the longtime president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway from 1975 to 2008. Wheeler was nicknamed the “P.T. Barnum of motorsports” for his theatrical race promotions and fan-focused innovations. He introduced night races, pre-race shows, military reenactments, Robosaurus, on-site condos, and restaurants at the track. His philosophy emphasized putting “FANS First” by improving ticketing, traffic flow, and amenities. He was a mentor to many figures in NASCAR, including Dale Earnhardt, through what became known as “Humpy University.” Wheeler was recently honored with NASCAR’s Landmark Award in 2025 and was set to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2026. Outside of racing, he voiced Tex Dinoco in Pixar’s Cars (2006) and Cars 3 (2017), a role offered after Pixar visited Charlotte Motor Speedway. His passing marks the loss of one of NASCAR’s mo...