DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) -- NASCAR executive and former Darlington Raceway president Jim Hunter has died after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 71.
NASCAR officials announced that Hunter died Friday in Daytona Beach, Fla.
NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France called Hunter one of the sport's giants who was loved by everyone in racing.
Hunter was a South Carolina native who played football and baseball at the University of South Carolina. He got into racing as a newspaper reporter and editor and a public relations representative.
Hunter became Darlington's president in 1993 and remained there until 2001 when he rejoined NASCAR as the head of its communications staff.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann Hunter; two children and three grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
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