Of One of the great things about this racing business is the people that are involved in the sport. A particularly colorful man in this arena is H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and general manager of the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Not only is Humpy one of the more renowned promoters of racing, but he is also involved as a friend and a mentor to many. Always ready with a handshake and a smile, he is known as the race fan's fan-although in this month's Picture This, that would not seem to be the case.
Even though this might not be the kind of counseling many would go looking for, this month's sequence is Humpy in the act of mentoring one of his associates in the boxing ring. As strange as that may sound, it is something that his opponent, Roger Slack (shown on the right), asked for. The two square off once a week, and for both, it's a time to build a personal relationship as well as a way to stay sharp and in shape.
So, why the boxing ring? For Wheeler, it is a very familiar place-he's been boxing since the age of 14. In fact, he is North Carolina's Golden Gloves Champion of 1956 and, at age 61, still throws a potent punch.
So if you run in to Humpy, don't let his warm smile and friendly greeting keep you from remembering he is also the Potentate of Punching.