Humpy's Heroes, a driver development program designed to guide a young driver's potential path to superstardom in auto racing, has been postponed until 2011 due to the struggling economy.

H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler – a legendary Hall of Fame promoter, former president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway and co-author of the book “Growing Up NASCAR” - said racing's economy was still suffering and it needed another year to recover.

"The purpose of the Humpy's Heroes program is to take advanced young drivers and get them ready to move into ARCA, Truck, etc.," Wheeler said. “With the economy curtailing most of the development programs of the top teams, we feel it would be ill-advised to have the program this year. We want to make sure there is fertile ground for these young drivers when they finish the program. It is the worst time for moving into the major circuits that I have seen in my 50 years in the sport unless you have tons of money and that is not what this program is about. Hopefully, we will see improvement next year and we will then resume the effort.”
 
Begun last year, Humpy's Heroes consists of one-on-one development and grooming of young drivers for entrance into the world of NASCAR's top three series. A three-month program, Wheeler, who has mentored several top drivers early in their career, including seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt, oversees each participant's progression. Drivers interested in becoming a Humpy's Hero in 2011 may apply beginning in January 2011.

The Humpy's Heroes staff is working to develop a payment plan that will allow participants the opportunity to secure their place in the 2011 program.  Participants will be able to make monthly or quarterly payments prior to the start of the program in May of next year. 

Details and a list of benefits for those who choose to take advantage of the payment plan will be added to the Website at www.HumpysHeroes.com as soon as they are finalized. An application also may be downloaded from the Website.