Shane Hmiel

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Shane Hmiel bigraphy, stories - American racing driver

Shane Hmiel : biography

May 15, 1980 –

Shane Hmiel (born May 15, 1980, in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina) is a former American racecar driver. He was paralyzed in a near fatal racing accident on October 9, 2010. He is the son of Steve Hmiel, former NASCAR crew chief and current Competition Director for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.

Open-Wheel Racing and Redemption

After rehabilitation from drug addiction and three-years-sober, Hmiel competed in all three national touring divisions of the United States Auto Club in the USAC Silver Crown Series, the USAC National Sprint Car Series, and the USAC National Midget Series.

In 2009, Hmiel earned his first USAC-sanctioned win in the Sprint Car division at Iowa Speedway and scored a then-career-best dirt track finish of second in the Four Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway. Hmiel earned post-season honors as USAC’s "Most Improved Driver." He was also named the Rookie of the Year in the 2009 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In 2010, he earned his first career Midget Series victory in front of family and friends at Hickory Motor Speedway less than an hour from Mooresville, North Carolina, where he currently resides. The momentum from that victory carried on to other divisions. In the Sprint Car division, he broke the world speed record for a non-winged Sprint Car at Iowa Speedway, winning the pole with an average speed of 146.444 miles per hour. In addition the speed record, he earned three victories, all on pavement, at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis (twice) and Salem Speedway. In the Silver Crown division, he earned his first career series win and first dirt track win in the Hoosier Hundred race at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

He was slated to make his Firestone Indy Lights debut at Chicagoland Speedway for the Chicagoland 100 on August 28, 2010, but a back injury kept him from competing in the race.

Away from the track, Hmiel is a co-host on the syndicated racing-themed television show "3 Wide Life."

Substance Abuse Test

NASCAR’s Substance Abuse Policy allows NASCAR to administer drug tests virtually anytime, anywhere, based only on "reasonable suspicion."

Hmiel violated NASCAR’s substance abuse policy when he tested positive for marijuana in 2003. At the time, he was the highest-profile driver to fail such a test. Hmiel was suspended from September 2003 to January 2004, then reinstated after NASCAR’s demands were satisfied. In 2005 he tested positive for marijuana and cocaine, and was suspended "indefinitely" starting in May 2005. Hmiel was offered a chance at reinstatement after his second infraction, under condition that he submit to medical and psychological reviews, and frequent drug testing before reinstatement. In February, 2006, Hmiel failed a drug test, and was banned for life. He stated on WindTunnel with Dave Despain on April 4, 2010, over four years since, that his ban was the best thing that’s happened to him.

Hmiel was not paid his 2005 salary for races prior to the suspension, as Braun Racing alleged that Hmiel signed the contract in bad faith due to health concerns. Under oath, Hmiel admitted that he violated NASCAR’s substance abuse policy with a positive test for marijuana in 2003 and a positive test for marijuana and cocaine in 2005. Hmiel denied he was using drugs on a regular basis (at least once a week) in 2005. Hmiel denied that he’d tested positive for heroin at any time from 2003 to 2005, and testified that he was not under the influence of any drug at any time while he was racing. The disposition of the lawsuit is unknown.

Accident, paralysis, and recovery

While qualifying for a USAC Silver Crown race, Hmiel’s car crashed at the Terre Haute Action Track on October 9, 2010. The roll cage collapsed after hitting the retaining wall. He was airlifted to Methodist Hospital with head, back, and neck injuries. Shortly after arriving, he was in critical but stable condition after having been put into a medically induced coma to minimize brain swelling. Hmiel was paralyzed as a result of his injuries; Hmiel has since regained limited use of his limbs, but continues to require the use of a wheelchair.