When H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler called a press conference the week of the Coca-Cola 600, many knew the announcement would change things in NASCAR for years to come. As Wheeler entered the Time Warner Cable Media Center that afternoon, those in attendance stood and gave the man many call the P.T. Barnum of motorsports a standing ovation. For Wheeler's announcement that day marked the end of his career as NASCAR's biggest showman.

"This is not a publicity stunt," Wheeler joked as he took the microphone. "I didn't do this to sell tickets, but if it does that's okay."

Slowly looking around the room and taking his time, Wheeler eventually confirmed what many in the room had learned earlier that day. After thirty-two years with Lowe's Motor Speedway, Wheeler announced his retirement as president and general manager of the speedway following the Coca-Cola 600 weekend.

"It's just one of those things that it's time to go," Wheeler explained to the gathered media and speedway employees. "It's not really anything I'm looking forward to, but there comes a time and place when you just have to move on."

Hired by Bruton Smith in 1975, Wheeler became the general manager of the then Charlotte Motor Speedway the following year. Promoted to president and general manager of the speedway in 1980, Wheeler helped make Lowe's Motor Speedway one of the best tickets in all of motorsports.

Perhaps the greatest race promoter NASCAR has ever seen, "Humpy" Wheeler aimed to make each visit to the race track a unique experience for every fan. Wheeler understood that fans made a decision to spend their hard earned money at the track and he took it upon himself to never let them down.

Whether it was launching school buses over cars while flames burst from below, hosting a three-ring circus or organizing a mock military invasion full with mortars and explosions, Wheeler always knew how to get the crowd ready for the main event.

Now facing his final curtain-call, Wheeler explained, "I look forward to addressing the crowd for the last time at Lowe's Motor Speedway Sunday during my 32nd Coca-Cola 600, and thanking them for being there because without them we have nothing."

In spite of years of loyal and amazing service, it appears a rift between Wheeler and Bruton Smith led to Wheeler's retirement. Although he admitted to have been considering retirement for close to a year, Wheeler added the decision was not entirely his. "Some of it is on my own terms," Wheeler explained. "I won't say all of it is. I'll let it rest at that."

Quiet on the whole deal for much of that weekend, Smith did offer his thanks to his long-time associate. "We owe Humpy a tremendous debt of gratitude for all he has done for Speedway Motorsports and Lowe's Motor Speedway," Smith added. "We wish him all the best in any future endeavors and hope that he and his wife Pat have a great retirement with their family."

Since his departure from Lowe's Motor Speedway, Wheeler has kept himself busy and continues to leave his mark on the sport. Together with the North Carolina Motorsports Association, Wheeler helped create the Motorsports Employment Task Force this November to help those laid off from race teams. Wheeler has stepped up his involvement with the Motorsports Management program at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC and is reportedly co-authoring a book that will feature a side of the sport few get a chance to see.

While he may be gone as one of the world's greatest promoters, H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler is in no way gone from the sport of auto racing. Wheeler will continue to leave his mark on the sport he has loved for so many years and he will continue to help anyone along the way. Truly one of the nicest and most approachable persons in the NASCAR community, Wheeler's presence at Lowe's Motor Speedway will truly be missed, especially by those Hardcore Race Fans on the other side of the fence.