CONCORD, N.C. -- Pumping his fists in the air, H. A. "Humpy" Wheeler walked into a press conference to the tune of Gonna Fly Now, Rocky's theme song.

Some things never change.

"You know we couldn't do this the normal way," Wheeler said, helping to announce a promotion for NASCAR drivers Brian Vickers and Jason Leffler.

Humpy retires

• Wheeler announces retirement
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• Wheeler best at promotions
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• Garage Pass: Humpy departs

Retirement may be looming for the legendary track promoter, but you couldn't tell by his attitude Thursday at Lowes Motor Speedway. And it is his attitude that most inside the NASCAR garage have grown to admire and will miss greatly.

Michael McDowell, a rookie driver for Michael Waltrip Racing, said upon first introduction that Wheeler left him with a lasting impression.

"When we announced that I would be driving for MWR in January, Humpy was there.

He walked up to me, kind of put his arm around me," McDowell recalled. "He handed me a million-dollar bill with his face on it and said 'remember you made your first million from me,' that is how I met Humpy Wheeler."

Humorous anecdotes and memories abound among the drivers and team owners who are realizing the 69-year-old, known as the "P.T. Barnum of track promoters" and mentor for some drivers, would no longer be around to put on theatrical stunts and eating contests -- no more robot-crunching cars or sharks on flatbed trucks cruising around the track.

Elliott Sadler said other track owners and future presidents should take note. He said Wheeler's appetite for fan entertainment and ticket sales will be irreplaceable.

"I think he's a huge innovator," Sadler said. "What he did for NASCAR and Lowe's Motor Speedway is way above what other promoters and other managers have done at other tracks. He can take a three-and-a-half hour race for a fan and make it an all day event. I'm a big, big fan of Humpy Wheeler. Losing him is a big loss ... we've learned so much from him."

He taught team owner and driver Michael Waltrip respect. The veteran driver recalled a time when he was in his early 20s and trying to make his mark in NASCAR.

“

He sat down with me ... he told me how to act and how to make my way into the sport. I shook his hand, and he told me 'when you meet someone you look them in the eye.'

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MICHAEL WALTRIP

"He sat down with me ... he told me how to act and how to make my way into the sport," Waltrip said. "I shook his hand, but I didn't look at it. He grabbed my hand harder, you know he was a boxer, and told me 'when you meet someone you look them in the eye."

Waltrip said he still remembers that piece of advice to this day.

"I thought, this guy gets it," Waltrip added. "He's different and understands that there is more to this and it opened my eyes and made me more observant and also more aware of more ways to get in the door."

In addition to the sage advice, Wheeler also bought the driver a set of tires in 1985 that help facilitate Waltrip's start.

"And if I could come up with the other $5,000 I could run the 600 and that's how it began," he said.

Richard Petty said it may be a few years before NASCAR and the fans can really measure the impact Wheeler has made.

"Over his 33-year career, he and I had one thing in common," Petty said. "We both have always held true to the notion that the fans are what drive our sport. His passion was to ensure that when each fan left the track, they felt as if they had been a part of a happening.

"Under his direction, Lowe's Motor Speedway became the gold standard by which all other racetracks were built and in how they were measured. Whatever he chooses to do next, I'm sure he will go about it in the same way."

What Wheeler chooses to do after Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 is unclear. As of now, the former track president's plans do not include any involvement with Speedway Motorsports Inc. or Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Wheeler announced his departure on Wednesday but some reports indicate the news was sooner than what he wanted and may have hinged upon a disagreement with Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns LMS.

Smith, who hired Wheeler in 1975, evaded questions regarding Wheeler's exit during a press conference announcing SMI's purchase of Kentucky Speedway on Thursday.

Nationwide Series driver David Stremme said he was "saddened" by the news.

"I'm not certain why he is leaving but I was actually saddened," Stremme said. "He is one of the coolest guys, you can always just go up and talk to him about anything and hang out. He puts on the best shows in the business and will be hard to replace."