Jim hunter nascar cancer patient

He loved the sport, but loved the people even more. Prior to that, Hunter had been a sports reporter and editor of the Columbia Record newspaper, as well as a columnist for Stock Car Racing magazine. Hunter also worked on the public relations side of the sport of stock car racing with Dodge. His breadth of knowledge of motorsports spanned even IndyCar racing, as well as directing public relations at Darlington Raceway and Talladega Superspeedway, where the Cup and Truck Series are racing this weekend.

Hunter is survived by his wife Ann, with whom he has been for 48 years, and his children Scott Hunter and Amy McKernan. Some of the biggest names in the sport have felt his loss already. Current Chase contender and past champion Tony Stewart had these words to share about his friend Jim Hunter. He loved the sport, but loved the people even more.

It seems as if everyone in the sport called him a friend. 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 His influence will remain with and be carried on by so many of the people he touched.

Hunter helped shape NASCAR's image during its mids popularity boom, but his influence went well beyond media relations. He also served as a buffer - and occasional peacemaker - between NASCAR's leaders and drivers, team owners and track promoters. He was just a larger than life figure in our sport.

Jim hunter nascar cancer patient

The year-old lost his battle with lung cancer, something he fought for nearly a year after being diagnosed. Over the next 42 years he would leave his mark on the sport in nearly aspect. He loved the sport, but loved the people even more. It seems as if everyone in the sport called him a friend. He also knew when to interject humor when everyone was ready to crack.

There is no doubt that he stands as one of the best PR practitioners not only in racing but in sport. I will miss calling upon him for advice for it was always the best and most practical. His early career stops included a stint as sports editor of the Columbia S. Record and as a writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He wrote several books, including a biography of driver David Pearson.

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 he became president of Darlington Raceway and a vice president of the International Speedway Corporation.