Patti Wheeler Joins Speed Crew As Programming EVP

Motor sports television veteran Patti Wheeler was named executive vice president of programming & production at Speed, a new position at the Fox Networks Group outlet that is part of Fox Sports CEO David Hill's territory.

Channel president Hunter Nickell said in a statement: "Beginning Nov. 1, Patti will take the lead in two crucial areas at Speed. Program development is key to any network's continuing evolution, and with our substantial commitment to a live network presence at all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events headlining a massive motor sports production schedule, bringing in someone with Patti's credentials and experience strengthens the entire Speed team."

Wheeler, who has produced every major racing series for every broadcast and cable network that has ever done motor sports, started her career at age 22 as a producer/director of live NASCAR races.

She later served as director of Motorsports and executive producer for TNN.

Prior to founding her own company, Wheeler Television, Inc., she was president of World Sports Enterprises, the leading motorsports television production company in the U.S.

A graduate of Belmont Abbey College, Wheeler lives in Charlotte with her husband, longtime cable executive and racing enthusiast Leo Hindery Jr., and their two teenagers. She is the daughter of racing legend H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, former president of Lowe's Motor Speedway.

She has been named one of NASCAR's Top 25 Most Powerful People by the Charlotte Observer and was included on the Charlotte Business Journal list of Top Forty Under Forty.