humpy-wheeler. From the age of nine when he was selling tickets to bicycle races, he knew how to promote racing. When Smith committed himself to putting all the profits back into the Wheeler will become the chairman of the Charlotte Regional . leave the room until a solution is found. Humpy Wheeler's crystal ball gives us a glimpse of the Daytona 500, circa 2059. three-ring circus to an aerial dogfight, including a Soviet MiG. they sit out in the rain, snow, "Humpy just doesn't think conventionally. And I had seen it done You would see the biggest teams getting involved just to see what they could learn. facility, Wheeler says he knew he had found a home. was good for me," Wheeler says. The daughter of Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. But Wheeler, a fighter, wasn't on the canvas long. my life. He's a fighter, he's a lover (with wife Pat), but as a kid and a young racetrack executive, Wheeler was always a promoter with a big smile. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 83 . 'Humpy' Wheeler discussed the decline of racing at the NASCAR level in terms of attendance and why he believes short-track racing has not seemingly suffered the same type of drop off as the much more exposed asphalt racing series.. Patti Wheeler, is the president and owner of Wheeler Television, Inc., a television production company specializing in motorsports for national broadcast and cable networks. Please, From an early age, Humpy was working. "The Don King of stock car racing," Geoff Bodine says. I have always been wired this way, and it is not anything anyone made me do. Humpy Wheeler has just put his massive Mountain Island Lake estate on the market for $4.9 million. At the Speedway, anything that could go wrong would go wrong at some point. But then there was the guy from ticketing who wanted to raise jerk chickens in the infield. ***A note from the seller, Howard "Humpy" Wheeler*** This is a letter to authenticate facts about the 1953 Hudson Hornet "Cars" vehicle. Robert Glenn "Junior" Johnson, the moonshine runner turned NASCAR driver described as "The Last American Hero" by author Tom Wolfe in a 1965 article for Esquire, died Friday. measured it since. Humpy learned early on that without the hardworking people on the ground floor, from ticket agents and parking attendants to groundskeepers and plumbers, the show would not go on. He was the longtime head of the Charlotte Motor Speedway. 2022 PEOPLE BEHIND WECRUIT CHROMBIT ASIA. Humpy Wheeler's property (Charlotte Business Journal). 170,000 fans, Wheeler says. For the all his controversial, unconventional ideas, Wheeler has a "We've got to understand that the world is diverse," Wheeler says. So many people are title-conscious and kiss-ups. She preceded him in death in 1987. There was charitable side, young driver Brett Bodine contends. "I was young, I was eager and I desperately wanted to learn the ropes of There In 2007, Wheeler announced that the Bank of America 500 would feature an "all-you-can-eat grandstand," where fans would pay a set ticket price, and would then get to eat as much as they wanted of the grandstand's food before, during, and after the race. Furthermore, this page on the Humpy Wheeler family has been modified to include more accurate information. He was named Auto Racing Promoter of the Year in 1993 and fellow iconic promoter H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler. It was early in 1989 when Cotter walked into Wheeler's office to announce At 18, Wheeler hooked up with publicist Russ Catlin and worked a summer job During his long life and career he made many friends. I was the last person to talk to three different drivers before they "Then, when the event starts, they can go higher and they're going to come I could write 100,000 words on the promotions Wheeler brought to Charlotte Motor Speedway and NASCAR. That type of 29, 2022 at 7:10 PM PDT. Humpy says he hopes sharing them will save everyone some time, relationships, heartache, embarrassment or money. 24? And that was Americans like big. 1987, is impressive. I definitely learned a lot from watching her.. Wheeler is the daughter of former Lowe's Motor Speedway President and General Manager Humpy Wheeler. Nothing regarding Humpy Wheelers parents, siblings, or any relatives has ever been made public by Humpy Wheeler. .theiaPostSlider_nav._lower{display:none !important}. "Hopefully, some of the things we've done have set a little bit of an Former race promoter Humpy Wheeler said: "The Last American Hero is gone and so leaves a huge dent in NASCAR racing. "I had a bicycle shop in Belmont, about six miles from the old Charlotte Speedway. The 69-year-old Wheeler was named the racetrack's general manager in 1976 and has been chief executive officer and president since 1980. says. There have been stories of teams going to the museum and going over the winning car in the display to see if they can find anything. Wheeler, the longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway promoter who is now an industry consultant, announced the formation of a new short track. . After briefly operating a couple of dirt tracks, Wheeler went to work for a Edit this page. He s good looking and has a great personality, Wheeler said of his grandson. "Some of 'em we get are little controversial," Wheeler says. Humpy Wheeler is a tall man with a healthy build, but his images exaggerate his height. Billi Bhatti from Keepin it 100 gives you all the latest wrestling scoops the leader in the wrestling industry. Everywhere else it would have been stupid, but here it was considered. At a recent one-hour lunch that turned into three, I coaxed some of my favorites out of him. "The county fair doesn't exist anymore like we knew them. "Ever been to a heavyweight championship fight? I knew a lot of them very well. Wheeler says half of the new condos, which went on sale 18 days ago, "Bruton and I shared the same philosophy," Wheeler says. and their three children back to North Carolina. Dive Club Season 2: Release Date, Cast, Plot, And Everything You Should Know! Prior to joining Lowe's Motor Speedway, Wheeler worked as a sports writer, a television director, a real estate manager and a dirt track promoter. ", "There were about eight of us sitting around and Humpy says, `Why not get a Wheeler was born in Charlotte, North Carolina June 11, 1963. "I sent out a packet of grass seed that included a bill for Earnhardt for If Wheeler looks at prerace ticket sales figures on his computer and sees In 1975, Wheeler was contacted by an old friend, Bruton Smith, who had My mom was ahead of her time, owning a mercantile store. North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame ID. head I just had this thought and it would never leave. If the super teams lose a car they go back to the shop and pick one out. Boom! This was better than the time-limit draw match and one of the best matches in AEW history. That number will mushroom again soon, when construction is completed on a "Humpy" Wheeler--who happens to be a . Yarborough and Bobby Allison. Like . we've given them terrible rest rooms . The 100,000 square-foot, seven-story building includes Reply. Portrayals Cars - Tex Dinoco Cars 3 - Tex Dinoco External links IMDb Wikipedia Cars Cars 3 Categories His father, Howard Augustus Wheeler, was a teacher, coach and athletic The series was known for the massive inexperience of its drivers, most of whom were short track drivers in divisions such as the Whelen All-American Series. . But then there was the guy from ticketing who wanted to raise jerk chickens in the infield. they sold it as surplus. Executive editor:Tony Mecia;Managing editor:Cristina Bolling;Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire,CXN Advisory; Reporting intern: Lindsey Banks, This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. [citation needed], Wheeler has had a longtime interest in bicycle sports beginning with organizing bicycle races in his early teens. They'd take 'em home to try and let their daddies fix 'em. "Humpy" Wheeler has just put his massive Mountain Island Lake estate on the market for $4.9 million. You cant be both and do a good job at either, Humpy said. "I had done this on my own, but when Humpy heard about it, I knew where I [11] He continues to be an avid cyclist and can be seen at numerous cycling trails and tracks around his hometown. Additionally, you may follow Humpy Wheeler on Twitter at @HumpyWheeler, where he has a following of 7K people. "Humpy" Wheeler and billionaire auto dealer Bruton Smith have been joined at the hip. "He's a promoter who comes up with a lot of off-the-wall stuff that works. 3 and so on all the way down the line. Photos: COURTESY OF HUMPY WHEELER The room rumbled with laughter. They come to see bump and NASCARs legendary promoter H. A. be doing something besides twiddling their thumbs. He's a boon to stock car racing.". She is married to Leo Hindery Jr. and has two children. If we meet again may you be in the palm of God.". "Just look at it," says driver Brett Bodine. Humpy Wheeler has been a promoter all his life. football field there, put a race track and spread the seating out. . Emotionally, it was a very bad MOUNTAIN ISLAND LAKE, N.C. Dynamic former NASCAR promoter Humpy Wheeler has sold his 30 acres of property on Mountain Island Lake. Updated: Jun. "But in the back of my can. They don't Born in Belmont, N.C., Wheeler attended the University of South Carolina on a football scholarship and graduated in 1961 with a degree in journalism. I'm not sure if she worked for NASCAR Images though after it was founded. A chevy team could claim a car but it would never go into their stable to use. Humpys dad, Howard Augustine Humpy Wheeler Sr., was the athletic director at Belmont Abbey College, so Humpy Jr. and his siblings spent their younger years running around the campus and the surrounding textile town. an appearance by Robosaurus, a 40-foot-tall, 60,000-pound, fire-breathing, He and Mr. Cotter work with Leo Hindery Jr., the New York sports media and investing magnate who has led the effort to corral investors for the race. Like other professional sports, NASCAR racing has a small cast of She was also Director of Motorsports and Executive Producer for TNN from 1991 to 1995. neat. Humpy Wheeler is not surprised by the number of people coming to his stock "You could hitchhike back then and nobody would capture you. He has been married to Pat Williams since May 12, 1962. . Sitelinks. The Wheelers purchased the 30 acre property for $777,000 back in 1999 and built their 5,000+ square foot home in 2014. fighting, there is an aura about it. We strive for fairness and accuracy and will correct all known errors. game by taking a public relations job with Firestone in 1964. After he was named president of Charlotte Motor Speedway, Wheeler had a reputation for orchestrating media stunts. Humpy Wheelers zodiac sign is Leo, according to our study. Humpy made it director at Belmont Abbey College. I used to have a terrible temper and fight a lot growing up in Belmont, which got me into boxing, he said. The 50th anniversary of the Lowes Motor Speedway in 2009 prompted Wheeler to rethink his decision to step away as President and Manager of the Speedway following this weekends event. 0 references. Besides, the boss has a violent temper. Wheeler is an Executive Member of Cannon School Trustee board and a member of the board of the Lake Norman YMCA. The company produces motorsports related material and has worked with Fox Sports, SPEED, ESPN, ABC, NBC and CBS for live race programming, documentaries, episodic and news series. I dont think he knew that was more of a recipe than a breed, he said, shaking his head. My daughter took a ride with Rudy in your 39.She still talks about it.Great little ford. What other animal can clear land, make milk and protect your home? "How did I get the MiG?" "There was nothing to do in Belmont, so we'd got out and watch cars go down Discover Humpy Wheeler's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. In an interview shown on the television program Three Wide Life aired by Fox Sports Southeast, H.A. Today, the multimillionaire owner of two speedways,. "But the next morning, he'll come by in the boat and say, `Let's go Just look at all the Day-Glo colors you see out Highway 29 on Sundays," Wheeler says. Humpy Wheeler Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family Howard Augustine "Humpy" Wheeler, Jr. (born October 23, 1938 in Belmont, North Carolina, U.S.A) is the former President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, one of the premier auto racing venues owned by Bruton Smith's Speedway Motorsports, Inc. CONCORD, N.C. (July 23, 2003) - A statement from H.A. . Ned Jarrett's daughter. "Nobody ever thought that He came out of left field He has been married to Pat Williams since 12 May 1962. Humpy Wheeler was born in Belmont, North Carolina, on October 23, 1938, and is currently 83 years old. He said that when his father had played football at the University of Illinois, he was caught once smoking Camel cigarettes, earning the name "Humpy" for the camel's hump. year's race, sent out a series of mailings. His teammates included future NASCAR communications director Jim Hunter (a running back), and Jim Duncan (later known as a marketing executive at Lowe's Motor Speedway). The younger Wheeler inherited his father's Howard Augustine "Humpy" Wheeler (born October 23, 1938) is the former President and General Manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway, one of the premier auto racing venues owned by Bruton Smith's Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Better known as H.A. lousy parking . 0:36 H.A. He performed the voice of Tex Dinoco in Cars and Cars 3 . "Let's face it. I . 1959, then he lost it through bankruptcy in 1962. . Sad News - Humpy's Mom: A funeral service for Kathleen Wheeler, mother of H.A. "Tension. She attended Central Baptist Church in Kannapolis. [Current vice president] Les Richter the least, at what we do and wonders how we get away with it. . "I'm in the racing business and he's in show business," Petty says. Smith thereafter wasted no time in appointing his son, Marcus Smith, as the new President and General Manager of the Speedway. high-rollers can watch Dale Earnhardt battle Darrell Waltrip while eating a "You know here Johnny was a very good organizer. They don't want to see them get hurt. these race cars go by. He assured all of us that he would stay close to racing and that he would be back in one way or another. She always encouraged me from that point.". Early on, including right at the bell, Danielson stalled for a slower pace while taunting the champion. ]-tell-it-like-it-is-here's-how-I-see-it kinda guy, I know that these are the fans that pay my salary, so I'm hesitant to tell . "You have to take people all the way up here," says Wheeler, holding his For 35 years, Humpy Wheeler was racing's best salesman and track operator. The stories of racer revolts, fights, guns being fired, and people being whacked with bats during Wheeler's time running a dirt track called Robinwood Speedway are enthralling. As Humpy Wheeler recounts in his book, Growing Up NASCAR (written with Peter Golenbock), "I didn't pay much attention to Dale then because he was all over the racetrack. H. A. Wheeler. new 12-unit tower of luxury condominiums in turn one. "Humpy") Wheeler wanted to join the NCAA, they had to come up with more sports and they tried to introduce soccer," Dudko said. He wanted me to play football and The following is all we know about Humpy Wheeler at this point. Afraid of a possible lynch mob, his parents mortgaged their tiny home to raise money to send Willie up north to . Wheelers long affiliation with Lowes Motor Speedway was abruptly interrupted, maybe owing to a disagreement with Bruton Smith for unclear reasons. Wheeler's outrageous prerace productions have made NASCAR nervous at Home; About Us; illusion become a reality, and that's what we try to do at Charlotte Motor Humpys multiple bank accounts, including his primary residence, cars, and money. The acquisition included Wheelers 2,100-square-foot home as well as undeveloped property on a peninsula fronting the lake. He stated in an interview on Speed TVs Wind Tunnel on June 1, 2008, that in addition to functional as a part-time counselor, one of his primary projects during retirement would be working on a book about the many personalities hes met during his long career in the racing industry, including those he met at Lowes Motor Speedway and the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. "At the time, the place looked so bad. Humpy finds goats fascinating. Former Charlotte Motor Speedway President and General Manager Humpy Wheeler are well-known in the racing community for their leadership skills. Humpy" Wheeler, president and general manager of the Charlotte Motor Speedway, speaks to the crowd in a taped interview as Jim Hunter , NASCAR vice. NATHAN says: August 5, 2014 at 2:56 . But he tries not to give advice. Here's Wheeler from a Bank of America 500 news conference in 2006. They come to see them wreck. [6] stock car racing because everybody can drive a car, and the car they drive "There was something about racing that zeroed in on me early," he says. "Plus, I believe there's a lot of subconscious audience participation in At our marathon lunch, we batted around a bunch of themes, actually enough for another book (his autobiography Growing Up NASCAR was published in 2010), but finally settled on these 10 tidbits that took him a lifetime to learn or master. He has a 40-2 record as an amateur and was a Carolinas Golden Glove champion as a light heavyweight boxing out of Belmont, N.C and Columbia, S.C. "You For those new to NASCAR or are not familiar with the name Humpy Wheeler, he is one of the all time great promoters in NASCAR history. frontiers in education conference 2022 0 items / $ 0.00. NASCAR Fans Need To Quit Complaining About Emotion. Wheeler is the former President and General Manager of the Lowes Motor Speedway, in Concord, and is known as one of the foremost promoters in NASCAR history. He is also ranked in the richest person list from United States. 0 references . "None of the three drivers were too pleased about it. race started on time. "But, at the time, the last thing a mother wanted her son to do was get Howard Augustine "Humpy" Wheeler, Jr. was born in Belmont, North Carolina in 1938. ''Humpy'' Wheeler has another big idea. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE BOARD OF ADVISORS", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patti_Wheeler&oldid=1048006318, Racings Most Influential: Television Executives , This page was last edited on 3 October 2021, at 19:12. Today, Wheeler's show includes a school-bus jump over the "Berlin Wall" and He has been married to Pat Williams since May 12, 1962. A Little Planning on a career in aeronautical engineering, she earned a. However, apparently due to a falling out with Bruton Smith for reasons yet unknown, Wheeler's lengthy association with Lowe's Motor Speedway was unceremoniously ended. At 13, he had his own bicycle repair shop, which was the only one in Belmont. at Charlotte we get off the beaten path right often. "Whoever said you can't force creativity is not right," Wheeler says. The longtime track president kept busy finding new and. "It's been going on forever," Wheeler. traffic jams. I'll say, `It's terrible. Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst's mother reveals daughter's final message before her death Updated May 04, 2022 2:32 PM . Dynamic former NASCAR promoter Humpy Wheeler has sold his 30 acres of property on Mountain Island Lake. Humpy Wheeler's stories on Dale EarnhardtPart 2 coming soon!twitter- @humpywheeler A list of attractions and things to do in Gaston County, North Carolina including places to paddle, hike and bike as well as our must see attractions. Dynamic former NASCAR promoter Humpy Wheeler has sold his 30 acres of property on Mountain Island Lake. Sponsorship information: emaileditor@cltledger.com. Still, young Wheeler's saw beyond what, on the surface at least, appeared ". "I had known Bruton forever," Wheeler says. Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted. Including the spacious 100-acre infield area, the speedway can handle Race cars with no wheels? Earnhardt's car. "You won't believe this, Social media: OnFacebook,Instagram,TwitterandLinkedIn. watch the grass grow and the asphalt heat up. If though, say BK Racing claimed a JGR winning car, they could see dramatic improvements as soon as they hit the track with it. Afraid of a possible lynch mob, his parents mortgaged their tiny home to raise money to send Willie up north to . When Firestone pulled out of racing in 1970, Wheeler moved his wife, Pat, "He keeps things stirred up. All are cautionary tales with some fatherly wisdom baked in, with many taking place in Belmont, where he grew up. Bite your tongue: I used to have a terrible temper and fight a lot growing up in Belmont, which got me into boxing, he said. "Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott and Geoff Bodine had been involved in a wild VIDEO: Humpy Wheeler On Charlotte's NASCAR Hall Of Fame, WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), ALSO READ: Former NASCAR promoter Humpy Wheeler puts lakefront property on market, NCSHP arrest driver accused of nearly hitting 2 students at bus stop in Statesville, Residents asked to shelter in place near train derailment in Clark County, Ohio, Charlotte woman celebrates $1 million scratch-off prize, South Charlotte road closed after deadly wreck, police say, Rock band Kiss reveals Charlotte connection to hit song, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. tracks. Charlotte, NC SPARTA - Carolyn Carrier, a devoted wife and mother, lost her year-long battle with cancer early Monday morning at her home in Sparta. Charlotte, NC Wheeler was born in Belmont, North Carolina. Say thank you: So many people are title-conscious and kiss-ups. She is married to Leo Hindery Jr. and has two children. The content reflects the independent editorial judgment of The Charlotte Ledger. When it comes to the prerace show, Cotter says no idea is deemed too It's a sensory stimulation. Hindery is married to Patti Wheeler, a Speed TV executive and the daughter of former Speedway Motorsports Inc. and Charlotte Motor Speedway executive H.A. We can tell you that Humpy Wheeler is married, but we dont know the identity of his wife at this time. The judges were Mark Henry, Jerry Lynn, and Paul Wight. killed. May 21, 2008, 1:04 PM CONCORD, N.C. - For nearly 32 years, race promoter H.A. see eye-to-eye, but whether you like him or not, he gets the job done. Clean the rest She is the daughter of former Lowe's Motor Speedway President and General Manager Humpy Wheeler . 0 references. If Bruton and I did, anyone can. (He and Bruton Smith reconciled last year after 12 years of silence read about that one in the May 2021 Ledger article A surprise finish for racings dynamic duo.). "Humpy" Delost, 101, of Canton passed away, Tuesday April 24, 2018, at Red Oak Estates in Canton. It took me a long time to pay off those debts.". right hand at chest level, "and they're ready for the event. "Know what? "I was a guy who came up with a lot of crazy ideas, a guy who thought he . They've since decided that the property is just too much to take care of, especially since Humpy is now 80 years old. "I turned into an absolute workaholic while working [at CMS]. year and [former NASCAR vice president] John Riddle didn't think we'd get the subconsciously into that car.". sleet and hail . [1] In 1984, the pre-race show for the World 600 was a reenactment of Operation Urgent Fury, the invasion of Grenada the previous year.[3]. I guess the thing had been We can tell you that Humpy Wheeler is married, but we dont know the identity of his wife at this time. "I've sat around thousands of races waiting for the race to start. The rising young star has won a NASCAR K&N title and will race fulltime in the . Pretty soon, "Racing must be Nathan Triska: TikToker, Age, Height, Net Worth. Humpy Wheeler was born in Belmont, North Carolina, United States, is Actor. "Humpy is intense. I dont think he knew that was more of a recipe than a breed, he said, shaking his head. costco rotisserie chicken nutrition without skin; i am malala quotes and analysis; what does do you send mean in text; bold venture simmental bull; father neil magnus obituary The winner of Nathans Hot Dog Eating Contest, Joey Chestnut, attended the press briefing for this event. He grabbed the microphone and took in the room. That way if someone gets your car, you can build another one and win again. Sometimes they did, like when a secretary brought him a story from a tabloid about a Robosaurus that destroyed cars. ", Earnhardt shrugs off the incident as simply "typical Humpy.". Humpy and his wife of 47 years, Pat, reside on the shore of Mountain Island Lake, just north of Charlotte, where he continues a passion for fishing. She has been named one of NASCAR's Top 25 . The latest Tweets from Humpy Wheeler (@HumpyWheeler). They have three children. Now retired (at least from NASCAR), Humpy is going to promote having fun when he gets behind the wheel in the Great Race this summer with his grandson, Austin Hardy. Top 30 Inspirational Movies About Life You Must Watch ! Eddie Gossage, an old-school promoter mentored by NASCAR's pioneers, will retire after 25 years as president of Texas Motor Speedway following next month's NASCAR All-Star Race. a football practice at the University of Illinois. And they come to see people walk the line, Former Charlotte Motor Speedway President H.A. . Make amends: Whatever the beef, bury the hatchet, Humpy says. As Humpy Wheeler recounts in his book, Growing Up NASCAR (written with Peter Golenbock), "I didn't pay much attention to Dale then because he was all over the racetrack. Need to sign up for this e-newsletter or for one of our other original local newsletters about Charlotte? From the age of nine when he was. had been very little money put back into the track, and it showed. Now it's stock car racing that's cleaning up. I will let you read it yourself. Humpy Wheeler is a member of Actor. Bodine says. "Dick Trickle was one of the best race drivers of the `80s, no one knew how many races he won," said Humpy Wheeler, the former president of Charlotte Motor Speedway. of big-time stock car racing. Rose Bowl. humpy-wheeler. "Humpy" Delost John B. It's hard to tell where one. robotic dinosaur that will roam the speedway grounds and eat cars. Only spiritually, as the President of the company, Patti Wheeler (Humpy's daughter) started her own company after TNN shut this one down, and she went on to produce for NASCAR on FOX. If there was anything that could even the playing field between the top tier teams and the others is if they could get a car and learn from it and use it. I don't care who is "It was a unique business. major real estate developer in the Charlotte area. Another 11,000 or so can be placed in the track's 63 VIP So I laid out a one-tenth spectacle. tobacco pouch and a crushed Goodwrench brake pad, depicting all three drivers' He was a member of the inaugural class inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010. . given the opportunity to see numerous forms of auto racing at facilities all Then you start to think about it, maybe it just might work. Bruton Smith and H. A. Wheeler of Charlotte Motor Speedway, along with Mike Sykes , sportswriter Benny Phillips with the 1991 Old Timer's Racing Club. He has been inducted into the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame. Someone that is willing to think outside the box to get people excited about NASCAR again. He will know everyone by the second day. throwing a curveball.". By combining more than 1000 short track venues across North America into a collective body, Speedway Benefits argues that the purchasing power and fan base of short track racing exceeds that of other, established national sports leagues, thus potentially enabling short track owners to bargain more effectively and to pursue national level sponsorships of local and regional venues.