Have a FaceBook, Twitter, or other social networking account?

Link them to your fanatic account!

Add An Account

TAKE ME TO...
NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
CUP: Smith Denies He Forced Wheeler Out
Bruton Smith said he made former Lowe’s Motor Speedway President H.A “Humpy” Wheeler a rich man...
Tom Jensen  |  Posted May 23, 2009   Charlotte, NC
Speedway Motorsports Inc. Chairman Bruton Smith. (Photo: Getty Images)

Speedway Motorsports Inc. Chairman and CEO Bruton Smith held court at Lowe’s Motor Speedway Saturday afternoon, insisting that his rift with former track President and General Manager H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler was caused by Wheeler asking for a $5 million payout when he retired a year ago and not by any mistreatment Wheeler received.

“I was better to Humpy than any other person in my life ever,” Smith said. “Better than my own brothers. … Nobody here in any way, shape or form has ever mistreated that man.”

Smith said SMI’s board agreed to pay Wheeler $162,000 per year for the first five years of his retirement, and $150,000 per year for the next five, a package totaling $1.56 million over 10 years. “I made Humpy a lot of money,” Smith said. “Humpy’s net worth is about $26 million right now. I’m pretty proud of that.”

And Smith was very vocal that Wheeler retired of his own free will and was not forced out.

“He retired,” Smith said of Wheeler. “Do y’all understand what that means? … It wasn’t like he was terminated or something. He retired at his own will, period, period, period.”

Smith also said he helped secure options on 151,000 shares of SMI stock that Wheeler stood to lose, as well as gave him an interest in an investment property that resulted in a $560,000 profit for Wheeler.

Asked if Wheeler was invited to attend this year’s Coca-Cola 600, Smith replied, “I don’t know that we sent invitations to anybody. I certainly didn’t send him an invitation. He has a hard card (annual credential) issued by NASCAR.”


Page 1 of 2
Prev
12
Next
tom_jensen's avatar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Jensen

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR
Advertising | Jobs | Feedback | FAQ | Terms of Use | NEW Privacy Policy | Ad Choices | Site Map
Fox Sports | FUEL TV | FX Network | National Geographic | IGN | AskMen
The Motor Sports Authority, SPEED and associated logos are registered trademarks of Speed Channel Inc.
All Rights Reserved © Speed Channel, Inc. 2012

All external links will open in a new browser window. SPEED.com does not endorse external sites.