Humpy Wheeler, the voice behind Tex in Pixar's animated films Cars and Cars 3, has passed away at the age of 86. His family confirmed that he died of natural causes on Wednesday. Wheeler's character, Tex, was a Cadillac Coupe de Ville and the boss of the Dinoco racing sponsor in the beloved films.

Wheeler was not only known for his role in Disney films but also for his significant contributions to NASCAR. He served as the president of the Charlotte Motor Speedway for 33 years, earning a reputation as a transformative figure in the sport. NASCAR chairman Jim France remarked, "Humpy Wheeler was a visionary whose name became synonymous with promotion and innovation in our sport."

Wheeler's journey into Hollywood began when Cars director John Lasseter visited the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2000. He was captivated by Wheeler's voice during the pre-race entertainment, leading to his casting in the film. In addition to his voice acting, Wheeler hosted a short-lived TV show, The Humpy Show, on the Speed Channel in 2008 and made an appearance on American Pickers, where he donated items from his personal NASCAR collection.

Tributes have been pouring in from fans and colleagues alike. One fan expressed, "RIP legend!" while another stated, "Humpy Wheeler wasn’t just part of racing – he shaped it. His vision, passion and love for the sport will keep the engines roaring for generations. Humpy Forever!"

Wheeler was recently honoured with the NASCAR Landmark Award, recognising his major impact on the sport. Before his career in racing, he was a boxer with an impressive amateur record of 40 wins and 2 losses. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2009, and he is also a member of the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame.