Humpy Wheeler, former CMS president, among NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees
NASCAR’s retired showman is a nominee for its Hall of Fame.
Humpy Wheeler, the longtime president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, is among five candidates for this year’s Landmark Award, the NASCAR Hall of Fame announced Monday.
Recently won by innovator Dr. Dean Sicking and trailblazer Janet Guthrie, the Landmark Award has been awarded for the past decade and honors an individual who’s made outstanding contributions to NASCAR.
Wheeler, now 86, was born and raised in Belmont and attended Charlotte Catholic High School and the University of South Carolina. He became president and general manager of the Concord race track in 1975, serving in that role through 2008.
The longtime NASCAR promoter is known for bringing entertainment to racing through his unique stunts, which once included dangling a dead shark off the back of a wrecker after Cale Yarborough gave Darrell Waltrip the nickname, “Jaws.”
Who else is nominated for the NASCAR Hall of Fame?
Kurt Busch, Randy LaJoie, Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Tim Brewer, Jeff Burton, Randy Dorton, Harry Gant, Harry Hyde and Jack Sprague are the nominees on the 2026 Modern Era ballot, honoring those whose careers started after 1966.
Jake Elder, Ray Hendrick, Banjo Matthews, Larry Phillips, and Bob Welborn are on this year’s Pioneer Ballot, representing those whose careers began at least 60 years ago.
The Hall of Fame voting panel will meet May 20 in Charlotte and determine the Class of 2026. There will once again be two nominees from the Modern Era ballot and one nominee from the Pioneer side.
Wheeler is up against Alvin Hawkins, NASCAR’s first flagman and a key figure in establishing NASCAR racing at Bowman Gray Stadium, executive vice chair Lesa France Kennedy, Pocono Raceway founder Dr. Joseph Mattioli and former West Coast executive Les Richter for the Landmark Award.
This story was originally published April 21, 2025 at 8:35 PM.
