CORKY WHEELER, USAC MIDGET WINNING CAR OWNER, PASSES AWAY AT 81
By: Richie Murray – USAC Media
Speedway, Indiana (July 10, 2023)………James “Corky” Wheeler, most well-known in USAC circles as the man who owned the midget driven to success by Tracy Hines during the mid-1990s, passed away on July 3, 2023. He was 81 years old.
Wheeler, of Beaumont, Texas, entered the USAC Midget ranks in 1992, first as a driver on the circuit. By 1993, Wheeler focused on car owning duties and hired a young driver from New Castle, Ind. who’d ultimately become a career USAC Triple Crown champion.
Hines had found Wheeler by chance, utilizing USAC media guru Dick Jordan as a source. Going through the previous season’s USAC National Midget roster, Wheeler’s name was found, so Hines gave him a call.
After a meeting and dinner, Hines was officially offered the ride of Wheeler’s number 7, with the pairing making their debut in June of 1993 at Indianapolis Raceway Park where they finished 15th.
The car was housed in USAC Hall of Fame car constructor, crew chief and car owner Steve Stapp’s shop. In fact, it was Stapp and Tracy’s father, Jim Hines, who were on the wrenches for Tracy’s first start in Wheeler’s ride.
Wheeler’s entry finished fourth in the USAC National Midget entrant standings for 1995 and fifth in 1996, which proved to be the team’s highwater mark season. In July of 1996, Hines raced to his first dirt feature victory in USAC competition at Nebraska’s Eagle Raceway. In September of that same season, Hines raced the Wheeler car to a major victory in the 4-Crown Nationals at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway.
Hines credits Wheeler’s support as a catalyst during the early years of his career, which ultimately led to USAC National championships in 2000 with the Silver Crown series, 2002 with the Sprint Cars and in 2015 in the Midgets, saying, “if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have made it.”
Wheeler began racing around the age of 50 years old. He owned a micro sprint prior to getting into midget racing and was heavily involved in drag racing. He also was part of team which achieved the first 300 mph run by a sports car on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
Off the racetrack, Wheeler’s interests and activities were eclectic. Wheeler owned his own business, Wheeler Truck Body in Beaumont, Texas, before retiring in 2019. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design in 1964 from Lamar University in his hometown and was a United States Army Air Corps veteran. He was also elected to serve two terms as an Inspector of Hides and Animals in Beaumont.
A memorial service for Wheeler will be held a 2pm on Saturday, July 15, at Broussard’s, located at 1605 North Major Drive in Beaumont, Texas.
