Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s senior vice president of corporate communications, died Friday night in Daytona Beach, Fla. after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 71.
Hunter had been involved in NASCAR for over 40 years, working as a reporter, public relations executive and president of Darlington Raceway, among several other positions within the sport. He held his most current position since 2001.
Hunter’s death was felt across the NASACR world Saturday, as countless drivers, owners and officials fondly remembered him.
“The entire NASCAR community is mourning the passing of Jim Hunter,” said Jack Roush, co-owner, founder, and CEO of Roush-Fenway Racing. “As a new team owner from the outside joining NASCAR in 1988, I was welcomed and befriended by Jim and his wife Ann in the early days before I was settled, and as I was getting my feet wet in this sport.”
“Past that, Jim remained a friend of whom I could seek sage advice and badly-needed sympathy on more occasions than I can recall. His departure has diminished us all."
Hunter is survived by his wife, Ann; his children, Scott Hunter and Amy McKernan and three grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
