Belmont native Humpy Wheeler Jr., the legendary figure whose foresight and innovation helped catapult NASCAR to a mainstream audience, died Wednesday at age 86.

According to Charlotte Motor Speedway, the track for which he was in charge for 33 years, “he died peacefully of natural causes” surrounded by his family.

“For more than 30 years, Humpy was a promoter’s promoter at Charlotte Motor Speedway,” according to a prepared statement by track officials. “Alongside our founder Bruton Smith, Humpy pushed the speedway to new and greater heights — establishing the famed 1 ½-mile superspeedway as not only the most innovative facility in NASCAR for fan, partner and competitor amenities, but also one of the most progressive in all of sports.

“(Wheeler’s) engaging smile and flair for promotion w

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