Shane Hmiel critically injured.

[dannyuscg]

Shane Hmiel was critically injured in a crash while qualifying for a USAC race in TERRE HAUTE. He is in a comma was told by few people the top of the cage came apart and beat him up pretty badly.

I think he got a bad rap for smoking some weed, got to meet him once at New Smyrna seemed like a nice guy to me.

[Jim Fenton]

Former NASCAR driver Hmiel airlifted after USAC crash

[Jim Fenton]

Hmiel's condition improving after wreck

[RSB]

Shane Hmiel was critically injured in a crash while qualifying for a USAC race in TERRE HAUTE. He is in a comma was told by few people the top of the cage came apart and beat him up pretty badly.

I think he got a bad rap for smoking some weed, got to meet him once at New Smyrna seemed like a nice guy to me.

He was only smoking weed? For some reason I thought it was narcotics he was doing.

[DeMan951]

Not just weed.

From Wikipedia.

Hmiel violated NASCAR's substance abuse policy when he tested positive for marijuana in 2003.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 for him.

[jason]

nasty crash

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm8vv25-jY0

[Cara]

He had neck and back fractures and did undergo surgery tonight. They have said he will make a full recovery and there was no brain damage. Still keeping him in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

[oldyeller]

hadnt seen the vid until now. only been there once but had forgotten what a fast track that is. hard to believe he made it through that... whoever built that cage did their job. talked to him at east bay during speedweeks... really respect how he has turned his life around.

[bubba]

That video says it all - he is lucky to be alive after that. I dont recall him being a tall guy - lucky for him. Don't think I would have made it through that one.

[egspeedway]

Not just weed.

From Wikipedia.

Hmiel violated NASCAR's substance abuse policy when he tested positive for marijuana in 2003.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 for him.

Takes a man to do that I hope all goes well and he can race again!

[Joanne Lucas]

Please

Lets try not to think of Shane as having a drug problem back in the day. Lets just try to say some prayers for a man that was hurt very badly in an accident on a race track doing what he loved. Prayers for his family. Please don' bring up the negative. Remember he has a mother and a father that reads alot of this and believe me, we all have our problems that alot of people don't know about.
Lets just stay strong and have Faith, if you don't like him atleast like his mother and father.
Thank You , A mother

[carolwicks]

Right...

unfortunately things we do in our past can come back and bite us in the a$$... this is about a guy who is fighting for his life and we should all be compassionate for him and his loved ones. God bless and heal you Shane...
carolwicks aka oz

[Bigbuck]

unfortunately things we do in our past can come back and bite us in the a$$... this is about a guy who is fighting for his life and we should all be compassionate for him and his loved ones. God bless and heal you Shane...
carolwicks aka oz

I agree Carol. Did i read in todays paper there is a little improvement>> I hope so.

[JackTripper]

He's actually had a lot of improvement, in the grand scheme of things. He's been opening his eyes, squeezing people's hands, moving his arms, recognizing voices, etc. Given the severity of the accident, that's real progress.

[ancrdave]

Steven Cole Smith has a nice article about Shane in this morning's Orlando Sentinel... Maybe we can get Old Yeller to reprint it on here...