Humpy Wheeler Gone?

[cynjeep88]

I wonder what the real story is. Something just doesn't smell right about this whole situation.

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/05/21/wheeler.retirement/index.html

[ToyotaFan]

Maybe he just realizes that the high time is over. With the economy the way it is, you know they are going to feel the crunch.

[Atl_tim]

He's been the track pres. for almost 30 years, maybe he just decided it's time to move on to a more relaxing life style?

It does make you wonder what was meant in the article where it says the retirement "wasn't exactly on his own terms".:???:

[madfinnhockey]

Well, he's 69, a good time to retire, but I do agree it doesn't sound right. In a position like his, you would expect him to retire during the off-season, not almost in the middle of it.

And you don't suddenly decide to retire, thats something you think long and hard about, and in a position like his, if you do decide to retire, you typically plan ahead. When you hear about people who retire, on their own terms, they usually announce it in their off-season, or announce it and say that at the end of the current season they'll retire, but right in the middle of it?

And not only is he leaving the track, he's leaving his positions in SMI. And reading more, its not entirely on his terms, and the likely successor is Smiths son, well, I think that says it all. Bruton wants his kid in that position, so bump Wheeler out. Like they say, its not personel, its business.

[us2bfast]

Well with the 50th Anniversary being next year for the track I don't think he would be retiring now but oh well maybe at the press conference later today we'll know more....Stay tuned race fans as Humpy-gate continues...;);)

[Shirley]

The announcement was scheduled to be made next Wednesday, but was pushed up after a disagreement between Wheeler and Bruton Smith, the chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc. that owns LMS. “The suddenness was not my idea,” Wheeler said. “I would have liked to have stayed around a little bit, just eased out a little easier. … Maybe in a part-time role.”
The 69-year-old promoter that was hired by Smith before the October race in 1975 said no part-time offer was made. Asked if he was given that option Wheeler said, “No.” Asked if he would remain with the track in any capacity Wheeler bluntly said, “None.” Smith, who did not attend the press conference that was thrown together quickly after news of the retirement leaked out Tuesday night, said Wheeler was offered the chance to stay as a consultant. “To my knowledge, nothing has changed,” he said.
Smith said Wheeler was offered a consultant’s salary for five years beyond the $12,500 a month that SMI has agreed to pay him over the next 10 years. He added that Wheeler holds 151 shares of stock options with the company and that he has to stay involved to execute them. Smith said he did not attend the press conference because he was not invited and because he didn’t want to take away from Wheeler’s moment. “It was his press conference,” he said. “Not mine.”
Speedway Motorsports, Inc. announced today that H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, chief operating officer and president of Speedway Motorsports and president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, is retiring from both positions following the Coca-Cola 600. A decision will be made on Wheeler’s successor in the near future by the Speedway Motorsports, Inc. board of directors.
“While it is with sadness that I announce my retirement from Speedway Motorsports and Lowe’s Motor Speedway, it is time for me to move on to other things,” said Wheeler. “I have devoted my entire life to racing and I don’t intend on leaving it, just serving it in different ways. I have made arrangements with a well-known author to co-write a unique book interweaving my various experiences in the sport with the wonderful human drama and rich characters that abound in it. I will resume the ‘Humpy Show’ on SPEED Channel and look forward to being chairman of the Charlotte Regional Partnership in 2009. I also look forward to other endeavors, including lecturing and working with the motorsports management program at Belmont Abbey College.”

Published May 22nd, 2008 in NASCAR News (http://autoracingsport.com/category/nascar/)

[rcushenberry1]

Sorry to see the showman leave. It doesn't sound like it was on his terms, but it he wants to work (I don't know why he would) any of the TV networks would be lucky to have him do some color commentary.
I like Hummpy.

[scooter313]

We hate to see Humpy go. But as they say all good things must come to a end. We're hoping that Marcus Smith will keep things as exciting and fun as Humpy did.