With fire-breathing robots and death-defying school-bus stunts, he brought spectacle to stock-car racing as the sport boomed in the 1970s and beyond.

Wheeler will be remembered for his love of stock car racing and his acumen for promoting races — one that yielded the nickname the “P.T. Barnum of Motorsports.”

From drivers and team owners to fans and industry leaders, heartfelt tributes poured in for the legendary promoter. Wheeler’s bold vision and tireless energy redefined what NASCAR could be, helping put Charlotte Motor Speedway — and the city itself — at the heart of stock car racing.