Humpy Wheeler dead: Disney star dies as tributes from devastated fans pour in

NASCAR legend Humpy Wheeler, who appeared in two Disney films, has died at the age of 86. Best known as the longtime president of the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Wheeler was an executive at NASCAR and also worked in stock car racing and IndyCar. Over the years, he earned the nickname of 'the PT Barnum of NASCAR' - but also had a career in Hollywood.

In 2006, Wheeler voiced Tex - a Cadillac Coupe de Ville - in animated Pixar film Cars, alongside Owen Wilson. Tex was the boss of fictional motor racing sponsor Dinoco, a role he reprised in 2017 release Cars 3. He was awarded the voice acting role when director John Lasseter visited the Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2000 for a race and loved his voice.

A statement confirmed Humpy died of "natural causes" surrounded by his family on Wednesday (August 20).

NASCAR chairman Jim France said of his death: "Humpy Wheeler was a visionary whose name became synonymous with promotion and innovation in our sport. During his decades leading Charlotte Motor Speedway, Humpy transformed the fan experience through his creativity, bold ideas and tireless passion. His efforts helped expand NASCAR's national footprint, cement Charlotte as a must-visit racing and entertainment complex."

Wheeler landed his own TV show in 2008, launching The Humpy Show on the Speed Channel. Sadly the series only ever aired one episode. He also popped up in an episode of American Pickers, donating items from his personal NASCAR collection to be restored on the programme.

This is a breaking showbiz story, the Express Showbiz team will be updating this story with the latest information as soon as we receive it. For further updates, please refresh the page

You can also get email updates on the day's biggest TV stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.

Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinion and video on the day's top showbiz stories by following Express.co.uk every time you see our name.

• Follow Express on Google News - CLICK HERE
• Follow Express on Apple News -_ CLICK HERE__ available on Apple devices_
• Follow Express on _Flipboard - _CLICK HERE and click follow

You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news and all the latest updates by following @Daily_Express, or for the latest TV and showbiz news, follow @expressceleb

Keep up-to-date with your must-see TV stories, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at Express Celebrity