No I’m not talking about a driver or drivers, but Ollen “Bruton” Smith and Howard “Humpy” Wheeler. These two men embody what is left of old NASCAR and bridge the gap to all that is new. They do it with authority and class and very often give us a lot to talk about. I thought with NASCAR returning to Charlotte this week, it would be the perfect time to salute these pillars of the NASCAR community.

In the late 1950s a young promoter and well known NASCAR driver set out to create the first speedway in the heart of motorsports. Bruton Smith and Curtis Turner had competing plans across town, but were forced to consolidate. Ultimately the men were torn apart through bankruptcy and an ousting by the board at the newly constructed (and heavily in debt) Charlotte Motor Speedway. Smith took back control of his beloved speedway in the mid-1970s, just over 10 years after he had lost it. Today his empire is now in excess of $1 billion dollars and includes 7 tracks across the country and 176 car dealerships. He is probably the most flamboyant figure in the sport; never without his Elizabeth Taylor sunglasses or his unrestrained mouth. He is liable to say or do anything as was demonstrated last year in his showdown with the city of Concord. His is the only voice of opposition to the France Family; one that they listen to and one that I would imagine they fear a little.

H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler got his nickname from his father who had a Camel cigarette habit. He is the promoter extraordinaire who, along with Bruton Smith has built Lowes Motor Speedway and Speedway Motorsports into a vast empire. He capitalized off of the the Cale Yarborough nickname for Darrell Waltrip, “Jaws,” by showing up to Charlotte with a dead shark who had a rubber chicken (symbolizing Yarborough through his sponsor Holly Farms) in its mouth. This year Wheeler is making his All-Star race picks with dogs. His style of promotion harkins back to the days of old, himself a hold over from those days. He is as flamboyant as his boss, always willing to give a soundbite and always around the SMI tracks during race weekends, making him a very accessible figure.

Both of these men compliment each other so wonderfully, it is a wonder they have had the success that they have had. They add excitement and flamboyance to any event they’re at; I wish NASCAR had more of these kind of guys today.

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