Goodbye old friend, teacher and supporter of us all! - Goodbye Humpy Wheeler

[DebWilliams-GFN]

Goodbye old friend, teacher and supporter of us all!
The NASCAR Drivers say goodbye to Humpy Wheeler

By Deb Williams

CONCORD, N.C. -- During the three decades H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler led Lowe's Motor Speedway, he also served as a mentor for many young drivers when they entered the sport.

Throughout Coca-Cola 600 weekend, several drivers talked about Wheeler and what he meant to them, as well as the sport. Here are some of their stories and opinions.

Jeff Gordon: I've never thought of this sport or Lowe's Motor Speedway without Humpy Wheeler. He's just constantly pushing the envelope. All the creativity and excitement and entertainment he's brought for the competitors, as well as for the fans, is definitely going to be his legacy. He's set a high bar, for sure.

I can remember back when I was a rookie in the Cup Series. He used to use us rookies quite a bit. I can remember we did human bowling up there near the Speedway Club one time. Probably, the one that stands out the most was when we did a stagecoach thing where we came out in a stagecoach in a Western theme and there were like bank robbers and we were shooting little cap guns. I would have never done that today. Back then, it was pretty comical.

Humpy was a big supporter of mine and any time Humpy supports you and mentions your name and gets attention, plus, he's got quite a track record for talent out there, you know. So, usually, when he talks, people are listening.

Mark Martin: In 1981, when I came here for the first time as a driver from the Midwest, he was the go-to guy. He was the one that could help the little drivers from the Midwest possibly transition to NASCAR. That was Humpy Wheeler in 1981 and still is today. He deserves a big trophy.

Jeff Burton: Humpy, he obviously has a keen eye for putting on a show, which I think is really important. I think it's important that we don't lose that. What makes our sport work is that it's fun for the fans and exciting for the fans. Humpy's had a great impact on that. I think a large impact that Humpy's had, too, is the 600 Racing. If you think about all the people that said they love to race cars and really never had a chance to, there's how many racing here on Tuesday nights and on Saturdays and all around the country now in the Legend Cars and Bandoleros? That idea has brought affordable racing to a lot of people. I think that's had a big impact on racing as well. I think Humpy has had a major impact. He deserves, if he's ready, he deserves some time off and he's earned it.

I hate to use the word circus atmosphere, but that's really it [Wheeler's greatest accomplishment or contribution]. When you come here, you never know what you're going to see and that idea of the pre-race stuff. Look at that picture on the wall right there, that's got Humpy written all over it. Fire and cars flipped upside down and fans excited; that's kind of it. To me, when I think of his impact, it's more about the entertainment side of things; making it fun for the fans and giving fans more than just the race.

Jimmie Johnson: He's done so much for our sport and has really been the ultimate promoter. I just can't thank him enough for what he's done for our sport and the positive impact he has left in it (by being) the generous and gracious man that he's been. We're sure going to miss him in that role.

I got into a boxing ring with him when I first moved to North Carolina. It was at the gym and he's a Golden Gloves boxer. We were in the racquetball courts, actually, and he has me punching the wall and wearing my arms out, actually. And then, as we squared off and as we were kind of fake boxing, he lands a couple of punches on me and I'm like, man, he's punching me. So I swing back a couple of times and he's like all right, there we go. Now, I'm getting that fire in you. And he would tell me, like all right, your gloves are too low and I'm going to hit you in the head. I'd hear him say it, and sure enough, he'd hit me in the head. And I'm like, all right, so I put my hands up to block my head and it was too high, and he'd hit me in the stomach. So, I never thought that I would be in a position to punch each other, but it was a lot of fun and he's quite an athlete. That was probably in 2000.

I thought I was going to take it easy on him, one, and two, I was afraid to hit him. But he hit me pretty hard and just out of being punched, I reacted and hit him back pretty good. It was just such an odd thing to be sitting there punching Humpy Wheeler.

Carl Edwards: (Humpy moving on is) good for everyone but Bruton (Smith), probably, because it makes him available to do stuff for other people. He's a guy that anyone in this garage would benefit from his advice -- any team and any sponsor. I'm sure him retiring from this job, he'll never be able to retire because he's too good.