Almost always seen wearing a NASCAR #48 ball cap -- referencing the sport's 1948 beginnings -- Hunter was a legendary figure in the sport, having worked as a racing journalist, public relations specialist, president of Darlington Raceway and ultimately as a top executive with the sanctioning body during a 40-year career with NASCAR.
(He's pictured at Darlington Raceway in 2008 with the Charlotte Observer's Jim Utter, at left, and Sirius NASCAR Radio's Claire B. Lang, right).
"Jim Hunter was one of NASCAR's giants,'' NASCAR Chairman Brian France said. "For more than 40 years Jim was part of NASCAR and its history. He loved the sport but loved the people even more.
"It seems as if everyone in the sport called him a friend. Jim will forever be missed by the NASCAR community.''
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