NASCAR & Auto Racing

Photos: NASCAR community turns out for Humpy Wheeler’s funeral

By Jeff Siner

A funeral was held at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Wheeler was the former president of Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC for 33 years. A legendary promoter, Wheeler has been described as the “P.T. Barnum of motorsports.”

He passed away on August 20, 2025 at the age of 86.

See photos of Wheeler’s funeral.

A funeral mass for longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president and general manager H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte on Tuesday, August 26, 2025
A funeral mass for longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president and general manager H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
A wooden coffin of longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president and general manager H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler lies inside Saint Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte on Tuesday, August 26, 2025
A wooden coffin of longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president and general manager H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler lies inside Saint Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Pallbearers exit St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte with the casket of H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Al legendary promoter for events at the speedway and was described as the “P.T. Barnum of motorsports.”
Pallbearers exit St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte with the casket of H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Al legendary promoter for events at the speedway and was described as the “P.T. Barnum of motorsports.” JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Pat Wheeler, center, and family members exit St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte following the funeral of her husband, H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
Pat Wheeler, center, and family members exit St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte following the funeral of her husband, H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Former NASCAR driver Kurt Busch talks with other attendees following the funeral for former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.
Former NASCAR driver Kurt Busch talks with other attendees following the funeral for former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, center/right, attends the funeral for former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.
NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, center/right, attends the funeral for former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
NASCAR vice chairman Mike Helton, left, arrives for the funeral of former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., with Marcus Smith, right, CEO of Speedway Motorsports on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.
NASCAR vice chairman Mike Helton, left, arrives for the funeral of former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., with Marcus Smith, right, CEO of Speedway Motorsports on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
A mourner touches the casket of former Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
A mourner touches the casket of former Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Abbot Placid Solari, a Benedictine monk, sprinkles Holy Water on the casket of former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. Abbot Solari is Abbot of Belmont Abbey and Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College.
Abbot Placid Solari, a Benedictine monk, sprinkles Holy Water on the casket of former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. Abbot Solari is Abbot of Belmont Abbey and Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Mourners stop and pay respect to former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., prior to his funeral on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.
Mourners stop and pay respect to former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., prior to his funeral on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Abbot Placid Solari, a Benedictine monk, sprinkles Holy Water on the casket of former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. Abbot Solari is Abbot of Belmont Abbey and Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College.
Abbot Placid Solari, a Benedictine monk, sprinkles Holy Water on the casket of former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. Abbot Solari is Abbot of Belmont Abbey and Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Mourners stop and pay respect to former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., prior to his funeral on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.
Mourners stop and pay respect to former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., prior to his funeral on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Former NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, center, attends the funeral for former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.
Former NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, center, attends the funeral for former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Pallbearers prepare for the funeral of former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr.,on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.
Pallbearers prepare for the funeral of former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr.,on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Pallbearers prepare for the funeral of former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr.,on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.
Pallbearers prepare for the funeral of former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr.,on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr.’s funeral was held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.
Former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr.’s funeral was held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Abbot Placid Solari, a Benedictine monk, spreads incense at the funeral for former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. Abbot Solari is Abbot of Belmont Abbey and Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College.
Abbot Placid Solari, a Benedictine monk, spreads incense at the funeral for former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. Abbot Solari is Abbot of Belmont Abbey and Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Bishop Michael Martin waits to follow the processional into the sanctuary of St. Gabriel Catholic Church for the funeral of H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler Jr., the former Charlotte Motor Speedway president on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
Bishop Michael Martin waits to follow the processional into the sanctuary of St. Gabriel Catholic Church for the funeral of H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler Jr., the former Charlotte Motor Speedway president on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Abbot Placid Solari, a Benedictine monk, right, comforts Pat Wheeler, center, during the funeral for her husband, H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler Jr., the former Charlotte Motor Speedway president at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. Abbot Solari is Abbot of Belmont Abbey and Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College.
Abbot Placid Solari, a Benedictine monk, right, comforts Pat Wheeler, center, during the funeral for her husband, H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler Jr., the former Charlotte Motor Speedway president at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. Abbot Solari is Abbot of Belmont Abbey and Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, left and NASCAR team owner Rick Hendricks, right, speak in the foyer of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte prior to the funeral for H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
Former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, left and NASCAR team owner Rick Hendricks, right, speak in the foyer of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte prior to the funeral for H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Former NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon talks with friends following the funeral for former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.
Former NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon talks with friends following the funeral for former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, center, talks with other attendees at the funeral for former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.
Former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, center, talks with other attendees at the funeral for former longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

This story was originally published August 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM.

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