Jim hunter talking about nascar
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He handled public relations for a number of top IndyCar drivers before going on to become the public relations director at his beloved Darlington Raceway and Talladega Super-speedway.
In 1983, Hunter was named to his first executive position in his first NASCAR stint, becoming NASCAR’s vice president of administration.
But perhaps never as critically as when he became NASCAR vice president of corporate communications in 2001 when the sanctioning body was reeling from the death of Dale Earnhardt at that year’s DAYTONA 500. This is a sad day for Jim's family and his extended, NASCAR family.''
Hunter helped shape NASCAR's image during its mid-2000s popularity boom, but his influence went well beyond media relations.
He was a member of late NASCAR chairman and CEO Bill France Jr.'s inner circle and had a hand in most major decisions of the sport.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Jim Hunter
Throughout his career, Jim Hunter left an indelible mark on NASCAR and those associated with the sport.
His wit and wisdom helped guide NASCAR’s growth during portions of six decades as a company executive, track president, public relations professional and journalist.
''Quite honestly, I don't know what to say about Jim Hunter that would even begin to describe him. In 1993 he was named president of Darlington Raceway and corporate vice president of the International Speedway Corporation.
He remained at Darlington until 2001 when he accepted an offer from then-NASCAR Chairman and CEO Bill France Jr. to return to Daytona Beach to lead an expanded public relations effort aimed at responding to the needs of burgeoning media coverage.
Hunter won numerous awards during his career, including: the Hugh Deery Memorial Award in 1988; South Carolina Ambassador for Economic Development in 1994; South Carolina Tourism Ambassador of the Year in 1997; the National Motorsports Press Association’s Joe Littlejohn Award in 2005; and the Buddy Shuman Award in 2006.
Hunter is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann Hunter; his children, Scott Hunter and Amy McKernan and his grandchildren Dakota Hunter, and Hunter and Luke McKernan.
In lieu of flowers the family asked that donations be made to The NASCAR Foundation or Hospice of Volusia/Flagler County.
Hunter broke into the motorsports business as a member of the media in the 1950s. Clad always in golf shoes - the game was his passion - and a yellow 48 hat that signified NASCAR's start, he was known throughout the industry as ''Hunter'' and to his three grandchildren as ''Jimbo.''
In 1993 he became president of Darlington Raceway and a vice president of the International Speedway Corporation.
He worked as the sports editor of the Columbia Record, was an award-winning reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and columnist for Stock Car Racing magazine. He was a great friend and mentor to so many in the sport. “For more than 40 years Jim was part of NASCAR and its history.
This is a sad day for Jim’s family and his extended, NASCAR family.”
As a young man growing up in his native South Carolina, Hunter was a football and baseball player at the University of South Carolina.
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Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of Corporate Communications, smiles during news conference at Richmond International Raceway on Sept.
His presence in media centers across the country will be sorely missed. In 1993, he became president of Darlington Raceway and corporate vice president of the International Speedway Corporation. It seems as if everyone in the sport called him a friend.
''Jim will forever be missed by the NASCAR community.''
Beloved in the NASCAR garage area for his quick wit and knack for building personal relationships, Hunter played a critical role in helping the sport adjust to additional public scrutiny in the wake of Dale Earnhardt's death in 2001.
''Jim was a uniquely talented man that cannot be replaced,'' NASCAR President Mike Helton said.
His influence will remain with and be carried on by so many of the people he touched. ''For more than 40 years Jim was part of NASCAR and its history. He was 71.
Hunter died Friday night in Daytona Beach, Fla., NASCAR said.
He was at Talladega Superspeedway when he was diagnosed last fall, and a race will be held there on Sunday.
''Jim Hunter was one of NASCAR's giants,'' said NASCAR chairman Brian France.
Jim Hunter, a NASCAR executive who spent portions of six decades in the industry, first as a newspaper reporter and later a public relations official with the sanctioning body, has died after a year-long battle with cancer.
"If it wasn't for Jim Hunter, there is a good possibility I might not have ever made it through my first two years in NASCAR," 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick posted on Twitter following his death. He was just a larger than life figure in our sport. Many drivers and industry executives credit Hunter’s mentorship as the key to their NASCAR success.
Hunter was involved with stock car racing for almost 50 years.