Legends of Charlotte: Life lessons from Humpy Wheeler
Legends of Charlotte, from The Charlotte Ledger, brings you a series of fresh interviews with newsmakers from decades past who had profound impacts on Charlotte. They’re trailblazers in politics and civic life, pioneering entrepreneurs and people who captured the attention of the community and forged unique contributions.
Wisdom from Humpy Wheeler, who served as president of Charlotte Motor Speedway for more than 3 decades
Humpy Wheeler, who served as president of Charlotte Motor Speedway for more than three decades, has plenty of colorful stories from a career in racing. Here’s Wheeler from a Bank of America 500 news conference in 2006. (Photo courtesy of Charlotte Motor Speedway)
by Colleen Brannan
Best known as long-time president of Charlotte Motor Speedway and arguably the greatest racing promoter of all time, Humpy Wheeler has learned a thing or two in his 82 years. But he tries not to give advice. Instead, he likes to tell colorful stories with life lessons and the occasional mention of a goat.
At a recent one-hour lunch that turned into three, I coaxed some of my favorites out of him. All are cautionary tales with some fatherly wisdom baked in, with many taking place in Belmont, where he grew up. Humpy’s dad, Howard Augustine “Humpy” Wheeler Sr., was the athletic director at Belmont Abbey College, so Humpy Jr. and his siblings spent their younger years running around the campus and the surrounding textile town.
At our marathon lunch, we batted around a bunch of themes, actually enough for another book (his autobiography “Growing Up NASCAR” was published in 2010), but finally settled on these 10 tidbits that took him a lifetime to learn or master. Humpy says he hopes sharing them will save everyone some time, relationships, heartache, embarrassment or money.
Develop a strong work ethic (and hope your kids catch on): From an early age, Humpy was working. At 13, he had his own bicycle repair shop, which was the only one in Belmont. He also had a part-time job at the local hardware store. “We were solid middle class, but I always had the entrepreneurial itch and desire to make my own money,” he explained. “I have always been wired this way, and it is not anything anyone made me do. My mom was ahead of her time, owning a mercantile store. I definitely learned a lot from watching her.”
Say thank you: So many people are title-conscious and kiss-ups. Humpy learned early on that without the hardworking people on the ground floor, from ticket agents and parking attendants to groundskeepers and plumbers, the show would not go on. “I always took time to thank them, not just on race day, but every day,” Wheeler said.
Have a backup plan: At the Speedway, anything that could go wrong would go wrong at some point. Humpy believed in contingency plans. “That’s why I always had an army of professionals on standby during a race,” he recalled. “Dynamite down the men’s commode — better have a plumber. Transformer blows and lights go out? Duke engineers to the rescue.”
Get some goats: Humpy finds goats fascinating. “They seriously bleat and eat around the clock,” he chuckled. “What other animal can clear land, make milk and protect your home? They are a lawn service, dairy and security system, all wrapped up into one.” No wonder goats tend to be featured prominently in his storytelling.
Make amends: “Whatever the beef, bury the hatchet,” Humpy says. “Life is too short to let anything fester,” he said emphatically. “If Bruton and I did, anyone can.” (He and Bruton Smith reconciled last year after 12 years of silence — read about that one in the May 2021 Ledger article “A surprise finish for racing’s dynamic duo.”)
Don’t be quick to accuse: “Those who run things must have extreme patience with people. If you suspect somebody of something, investigate before you go off the deep end and remember whatever you are accusing them of could cost them their career.” Humpy says he got fired in 1964 for supposedly stealing a 16mm projector that was later found in his boss’ closet.
Bite your tongue: “I used to have a terrible temper and fight a lot growing up in Belmont, which got me into boxing,” he said. “It took total willpower, but I became more gentrified when I learned biting your tongue works better than saying things you’ll regret. If someone does something to you in a negative manner, cease communication instead of reacting on the spot.”
Not all ideas are good ones: Humpy always told Speedway employees good ideas can come from anywhere. Sometimes they did, like when a secretary brought him a story from a tabloid about a “Robosaurus” that destroyed cars. “I picked up the phone and got it to the race the following weekend,” he said with great excitement. But then there was the guy from ticketing who wanted to raise “jerk chickens” in the infield. “I don’t think he knew that was more of a recipe than a breed,” he said, shaking his head.
Be the prize fighter OR the promoter: “You can’t be both and do a good job at either,” Humpy said. “You must pick a lane.” Hard to tell if this was the former Golden Gloves boxer or race promoter speaking.
Family is everything: “If you’re a success, it’s because of your support system at home,” said a serious Humpy you don’t see very often. “I credit my wife of 59 years, Pat, for anything I’ve achieved. Spouses and children know everything about you and choose to love you anyway. That’s why I’ve never understood why people give up on marriage so easily.”
Humpy Wheeler in 2013 on pit row at Charlotte Motor Speedway talking to driver Mark Martin. (Photo courtesy of Charlotte Motor Speedway.)
What’s next for this Legend? Fans hope it’s his eventual induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, but if you ask Humpy, he’s got bigger-picture plans, literally. He says he’s currently working on a racing movie with Chuck Norris. “My mom lived to see 95, and I’m hoping for the same, which gives me plenty of time for the rest of my bucket list items.”
Colleen Brannan owns BRANSTORM PR and considers herself a “Humpy disciple.” She often quotes his teachings from their 15-year friendship. Email her at colleen@branstorm.com
Other installments of our ‘Legends of Charlotte’ series
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