Legendary Pre-Race Entertainment

• 💡 Pre-race shows at Charlotte Motor Speedway, orchestrated by Humpy Wheeler, were incredibly entertaining, sometimes rivaling the race itself for kids aged six to twelve.
• 🚀 A standout performer was Jimmy The Flying Greek, whose most memorable stunt involved driving a school bus over a ramp and landing it nose-first into a pile of cars, even standing it on its end.

Military Reenactments and Explosions

• 💥 Humpy Wheeler and Harvey Walters orchestrated a surprise military reenactment of the invasion of Grenada during a pre-race show.
• 🚁 This involved numerous helicopters, including Chinooks and Apaches firing blanks, rappelling troops, and simulated explosions of prop houses.
• ⚠️ The event caused concern among VIPs and even resulted in a horse being injured, costing Wheeler $1500 to compensate the owner.

The Infamous School Bus Jump

• 🚌 The school bus jump was tested at Bristol in 1978, where it tore up the track due to a ramp placement issue and a too-short landing.
• 💥 Modifications, including Ford Racing engines and a different ramp setup at Charlotte, allowed Jimmy The Flying Greek to achieve greater distances.
• 🚧 Jimmy was positioned in the center of the bus, surrounded by roll bars and padding, indicating a focus on safety despite the dangerous nature of the stunt.

The Rise of Robosaurus

• 🤖 Robosaurus, a massive robot that eats cars, was acquired by Humpy Wheeler after seeing it featured in the National Enquirer.
• 💰 Wheeler purchased Robosaurus for $25,000 and initially placed it near the start/finish line, causing significant traffic backups.
• 🚗 Robosaurus was used in promotional commercials and at a press conference where Dale Earnhardt Sr. operated it, eating several cars and even shooting fire.
• 📈 The spectacle of Robosaurus was a major draw, contributing to selling 14,000 more tickets for a Saturday race than ever before.