The industry remembers Jim Hunter

Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president of corporate communications, whose career in motorsports spanned portions of six decades as both a journalist and public relations professional, passed away Friday in Daytona Beach, Fla., following a 12-month battle with cancer. He was 71.

Those who had the pleasure of knowing Hunter remember his dedication, work ethic and friendship.

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"Jim was a uniquely talented man that cannot be replaced. He was a great friend and mentor to so many in the sport. His influence will remain with and be carried on by so many of the people he touched. This is a sad day for Jim's family and his extended, NASCAR family." -- Mike Helton, NASCAR president.

"We have lost a great friend and champion of the sport of NASCAR racing with the passing of Jim Hunter. Jim was passionately dedicated to the growth of the sport along with its drivers, teams and partners. His leadership and vision were complimented by his extensive experience and quick wit. On behalf of everyone at Chevrolet and General Motors, we extend our deepest sympathy to the Hunter family." -- Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports.

"Everyone at the NASCAR Hall of Fame is deeply saddened by the loss of Jim Hunter. His impact on the sport is truly immeasurable. Jim had as deep a knowledge, understanding and appreciation for the history of NASCAR as that of anyone I know. He is clearly one who cannot be replaced. Jim Hunter has touched, guided and mentored so many people, including me and others on the NASCAR Hall of Fame staff, but especially many of drivers as they entered the sport needing help navigating the challenges of stardom while remaining true to NASCAR's tradition of being fan and media accessible." -- Winston Kelley, NASCAR Hall of Fame executive director.

"Jim Hunter had a passion for NASCAR that was nearly unmatched and as strong as its founder, Bill France. Every day, he shared that passion with anyone who would listen and along the way he educated, mentored, and groomed many of us who share his passion. I learned much from him and will miss his counsel greatly. On behalf of all of the MRN team, my prayers are with his wife Ann, son Scott, and daughter Amy. Our sport was blessed because of him." -- David Hyatt, MRN Radio president.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jim Hunter. Jim was a great ambassador for the sport of NASCAR and a real friend to everyone in the NASCAR community. When Toyota made the decision to enter NASCAR, Jim proved to be a valuable resource -- answering our many questions and never tiring of our search for information about the sport. No matter the circumstance, Jim was always available to talk and was more than happy to listen -- even if the opinion presented wasn't a popular one. You could always count on Jim to give you an honest and fair view of any situation. He was passionate about life and passionate about the sport of NASCAR. Jim will be missed. Our deepest sympathies go out to Jim's family and the entire NASCAR community." -- Lee White, Toyota Racing Development president and general manager.

"Jim Hunter was a legend in the sport and a bridge to the earlier days of NASCAR. Having entered the sport in the early '60s, Hunter knew the history and inner workings of the sport better than anyone. He worked every position imaginable within the sport and added immediate credibility to anything he was involved in. He was thrilled that NASCAR finally was getting its own hall of fame, and he gladly added his expertise to the project. He was a great sounding board during the development of the Hall. He was definitely a one-of-a-kind guy but also a great friend and mentor. There is a huge Jim Hunter-shaped hole in NASCAR today." -- Buz McKim, NASCAR Hall of Fame historian.

"Jim was a super guy. He meant a lot to this sport and he did a lot for this sport, and he'll certainly be missed by us and everybody else. I loved his family. My wife knew his son real well. He's the kind of guy that would come up and ask you to do something and you'd just have to go do it. Jim came around this sport and he understood it as well as anybody in here and I think that will definitely be missed." -- Bill Elliott, 1988 Cup Series champion.

"The entire NASCAR community is mourning the passing of Jim Hunter. As a new team owner from the outside joining NASCAR in 1988, I was welcomed and befriended by Jim and his wife Ann in the early days before I was settled, and as I was getting my feet wet in this sport. Past that, Jim remained a friend of whom I could seek sage advice and badly-needed sympathy on more occasions than I can recall. His departure has diminished us all." -- Jack Roush, Roush Fenway Racing owner.

"Jim Hunter embodied NASCAR. As a sportswriter, as track president at Darlington and as the leader of NASCAR public relations, he left his mark on our sport. A wonderful story-teller and an even better man, Hunter shared his passion for NASCAR with generations of race fans from all across the country and his voice will be missed. Our condolences go out to his wife Ann, son Scott and daughter Amy." -- Bryan R. Sperber, Phoenix International Raceway president.

"I am saddened by the news of the passing of Jim Hunter. He was an icon in the sport of NASCAR starting with his days as a sportswriter and most recently heading up NASCAR's public relations efforts. Hunter was always quick to share his sharp wit and genuine smile along with his perceptive advice. He helped bring the history of NASCAR to life and his presence will be missed. On behalf of the entire staff of Kansas Speedway, I extend our deepest condolences to the Hunter family and to Jim Hunter's extended NASCAR family." -- Jeff Boerger, Kansas Speedway development corporation president. (Continued)