Smack: Two icons call it quits in the same week

1. Humpy Wheeler's retirement as president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway goes into effect after the Coca-Cola 600 this weekend. Can the legendary promoter really be replaced, and who fills his large shoes?

Raygan Swan: I'm going to say NO on this one simply because as a new NASCAR writer, he was the only track promoter that reached out to me about stories.

Bill Kimm: The man has been a huge part of the NASCAR world for some time, and there will be a hole, but can his shoes be filled -- absolutely.

Joe Menzer: Well, I saw something Ed Clark said about Humpy the other day written by our friend David Poole in the Charlotte Observer. Clark said they were all sitting around talking about a big event they just put on, and Humpy suddenly said, "Don't start feeling too satisfied or full of yourself. If you do, put on some old clothes and walk down the street and see who stops to pick you up. You'll quickly realize you're no different from anyone else. Don't get too proud of what you've done." The point: we all can be replaced. But it will take some real doing to replace Humpy.

Bill Kimm: Exactly Joe, Humpy has helped put the sport into the mainstream, but he can be replaced. Look at sister-track Texas president Eddie Gossage, he's following in Humpy's footsteps and someone else will do the same at LMS.

Raygan Swan: And who would think to get Joey Chestnut, the hot dog eating king, 66 in 12 seconds, to promote ticket sales! His ideas were fun to cover and to watch him connect with a crowd was impressive.

Joe Menzer: It's the Circle of Life, NASCAR-style. But Humpy's legacy will be that he came along during a time when he helped spur tremendous growth -- not only at the track he has run for 33 years, but in the sport overall. And, as pointed out in the aforementioned story, the man was NEVER satisfied. He always wanted to trump himself.

Raygan Swan: I think the other tracks lack what Humpy brings. I mean, who would bring a dead shark on a flat bed truck and put a chicken in its mouth? Remember Joe?

Bill Kimm: There's no question he's been vital to NASCAR, but in the end, he's one of many track presidents -- the sport will survive.

Joe Menzer: Well, Bill, since you are a newcomer to Smack, let Raygs and I show you the ropes a little ... Humpy Wheeler is NOT just another track president, you twit!

Bill Kimm: Nice Joe, name calling in the first question.

Raygan Swan: GO JOE!

Joe Menzer: And of course the sport will survive. But it won't quite be the same without Humpy and his live shark attacks, schoolbus races, and military invasions in the infield!

Stepping down

Humpy Wheeler made a surprise announcement as he will step down from Lowe's Motor Speedway and SMI at the conclusion of the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday.

• Conplete story, click here

Raygan Swan: Yeah Bill, the deal is you "mess with the bull you get the horns," that's Joe's mantra

Joe Menzer: And Kyle Busch's. You gotta bring it on Smack, Billy Boy!

Bill Kimm: Look, I'm not trying to disrespect the guy. I can only say so many times he was a pioneer and he will be missed, but in the grand scheme of the sport, he is a small part.

Raygan Swan: OK but tell me who is cooler than Humpy, Bill?

Joe Menzer: No, not Bill. He is definitely NOT cooler than Humpy.

Raygan Swan: Even for what 69? I know Bill isn't.

Bill Kimm: My very small fan base would beg to differ, Joe and Raygs.

Raygan Swan: Sorry BK, nothing personal.

Joe Menzer: I just hope I'm still breathing at 69. And Humpy is not only alive and breathing, but still coming up with great, innovative ideas -- even if the hype over his All-Star prognostication ability was, um, somewhat inflated.

Bill Kimm: Joe, don't start digging at him now ... don't want you to become a hypocrite.

Raygan Swan: Hey Joe, I think you should tell the story of how Humpy got his name.

Joe Menzer: Ah, he inherited the name from his father, who got it because he got caught smoking Camel cigarettes by his football coach at Illinois. They used to call H.A. "Little Humpy."

Raygan Swan: Nice! That's priceless and dubbed a name like that early on -- you have to live up to it!

Joe Menzer: Rumor has it that Duane Cross caught Bill smoking in a no-smoking zone at the NASCAR.COM office. Nicknamed him "Butts."

Bill Kimm: The bottom line: Humpy is an innovator, he was big for the sport at a time it needed him. But is he irreplaceable? No ... just ask Beyonce! "To the left, to the left."

Joe Menzer: OK, Butts. The question now is who replaces Humpy? Sounds like it's going to be Marcus Smith, Bruton's 34-year-old son. Frankly, I don't know that much about him yet. I like his chances of getting the job, though, if he wants it.

Bill Kimm: Neither do I...but nice for ol' Bruton to keep it in the fam.

Joe Menzer: Nice of him, but will it be smart? We'll see on that one. He will be surrounded by good people, though, and I would imagine Humpy will stick around for a while as a "consultant" of sorts.

Raygan Swan: BK, that was damn funny, props for the Beyonce reference but I don't think anyone will be able to fill the man's shoes; it's not that they are too big, but too unique, like the cheetah Tori Burch ballet flats ... you just can't find them.

Bill Kimm: Raygs, I have no idea what you just said. (Continued)