Humpy Wheeler to retire?

UPDATE “Over the last two decades, I made numerous trips to Humpy’s office seeking nothing more than a chance to bounce ideas off the man synonymous with free thinking and grand ideas. And, for me, it wasn’t just about coming up with the coolest ideas to promote the sport of NASCAR, it was about the enthusiasm and excitement Humpy generated around each one of them. I wish him well in his retirement, but certainly trust our relationship and mutual efforts to find the next big idea will continue for years to come." Hunter Nickell, SPEED President

“It may be a few more years before we can really measure the impact that Humpy Wheeler had on the sport of stock car racing. Over his 33-year career, he and I had one thing in common. We both have always held true to the notion that the fans are what drive our sport. His passion was to ensure that when each fan left the track, they felt as if they had been a part of a happening. Under his direction, Lowe’s Motor Speedway became the gold standard by which all other racetracks were built and in how they were measured. Whatever he chooses to do next, I’m sure he will go about it in the same way. “The King" Richard Petty"

[Editor's Note: We get a kick out of the Petty press releases where he signs his name The King. Talk about having a big head. Why can't all drivers retire and carry themselves with dignity and respect like Mario Andretti who has been named numerous times as the greatest American driver of all-time. Given that, what is Petty the King of? The only thing he is the King of these days is the commode in his bathroom.]

05/21/08

Humpy Wheeler

Humpy Wheeler, the "P.T. Barnum" of NASCAR promotions, will retire and step down as president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway, The Associated Press has learned. This weekend's Coca-Cola 600 will be Wheeler's last race for Lowe's Motor Speedway, two people familiar with the decision told the AP. They requested anonymity because an official announcement, which could come as early as Wednesday, has not yet been made. It was not immediately clear who will succeed Wheeler, who has managed the track for the past 33 years and was named president in 1980. Candidates include track owner Bruton Smith's son, Marcus, the executive vice president of sales and marketing for Speedway Motorsports Inc., and Lauri Wilks, executive vice president of management and administration for LMS. Nicknamed "Humpy" because of the camel's hump on a pack of Camel cigarettes his father was caught smoking, Wheeler was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2006. Associated Press/Jenna Fryer/ESPN.com