Howard Augustine “Humpy” Wheeler Jr., the legendary motorsports promoter and former president of Charlotte Motor Speedway, died of natural causes on August 20, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was 86 years old.
Wheeler served as president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway for 33 years, from 1975 to 2008, transforming the facility into one of the world’s premier motorsports venues. Known as the “P.T. Barnum of motorsports,” Wheeler revolutionized the fan experience through innovative promotions and elaborate pre-race spectacles.
Born in 1938 in Belmont, North Carolina, Wheeler gained his first major publicity position with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. After Firestone shut down its racing program in 1970, he held several other positions before being hired at Charlotte Motor Speedway by owner Bruton Smith in 1975.
Under Wheeler’s leadership, the speedway became synonymous with groundbreaking innovation. He supervised the installation of the sport’s first lighting system in 1992, enabling NASCAR’s inaugural night race. The event, dubbed “One Hot Night,” was so successful that several other racetracks followed suit, making night racing a regular feature in the sport.
Wheeler also facilitated a naming rights deal that saw the facility renamed Lowe’s Motor Speedway from 1999 to 2009. His promotional genius extended beyond racing, as he recreated elaborate military operations during pre-race shows, including reenactments of the invasion of Grenada.
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France described Wheeler as a visionary whose name became synonymous with promotion and innovation. France indicated that Wheeler’s creativity, bold ideas, and tireless passion transformed the fan experience while helping expand NASCAR’s national footprint.
The motorsports icon was known for his hands-on approach and attention to fan experience. He frequently told his staff to focus on “the three Ts – tickets, traffic, and toilets” to ensure optimal fan experiences. Wheeler also emphasized the importance of adding excitement to people’s lives, saying it was their job to put a little “technicolor in people’s black-and-white lives.”
Wheeler’s influence extended beyond traditional racing promotion. He played a pivotal role in bringing Janet Guthrie to the 1976 World 600, making her the first woman to qualify for a race at a NASCAR superspeedway. His promotional flair even reached popular culture, as he provided the voice for Tex Dinoco, a Cadillac Coupe de Ville character in Pixar’s “Cars” and “Cars 3” films.
Earlier in 2024, Wheeler was named the recipient of NASCAR’s prestigious Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. He was scheduled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame next year as part of the Class of 2026.
Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, noted that Wheeler’s contributions and accomplishments in NASCAR were without parallel. Kelley emphasized that the breadth and depth of Wheeler’s legacy, along with those he influenced, assisted and mentored, could not be overstated.
Throughout his career, Wheeler mentored hundreds of individuals in the motorsports industry, including inaugural NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt and Landmark Award recipient Janet Guthrie. His engaging personality and promotional skills made him one of the most beloved figures in racing.
Before finding fame in motorsports, Wheeler was a competitive boxer with an impressive 40-2 amateur record. This competitive spirit carried over into his professional career, where he consistently pushed boundaries and challenged conventional approaches to motorsports promotion.
In 2007, Wheeler demonstrated his commitment to fan engagement by donning an apron and hat to pitch hot dogs and popcorn to fans alongside competitive eater Joey Chestnut. This gesture exemplified his larger-than-life personality and humble approach to connecting with racing fans.
Charlotte Motor Speedway described Wheeler as a promoter’s promoter who, alongside founder Bruton Smith, pushed the speedway to new heights. The facility became recognized as not only the most innovative venue in NASCAR for fan, partner, and competitor amenities, but also one of the most progressive in all sports.
The Wheeler family has requested that well-wishers make donations to the Belmont Abbey College Motorsports Management Program, which Wheeler helped establish, in lieu of flowers. He was also a member of the National Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Wheeler’s death marks the end of an era for NASCAR promotion and innovation. His creative approach to motorsports entertainment and unwavering focus on fan experience helped establish Charlotte Motor Speedway as “NASCAR’s Home for Racing” and contributed significantly to the sport’s national and international growth during the 1990s and early 2000s.