Shane Hmiel Out Until At Least 2007

NASCAR announced today that Busch Series driver Shane Hmiel has been suspended from NASCAR competition until at least 2007. They will determine at that time whether or not he will be allowed to return to competition. Of course, his return to competition is also dependent upon finding a car owner and a sponsor who will be willing to gamble on him.

Hmiel was suspended indefinitely June 3 after failing a substance abuse test. It was Hmiel’s second offense.

He was suspended in September, 2003, after failing a substance abuse test. He completed a prescribed rehabilitation program and was reinstated for NASCAR competition in February, 2004.

NASCAR will lay out a road map for Hmiel’s possible reinstatement in 2007, including a rehabilitation program that will include medical and psychological reviews, as well as frequent testing.

NASCAR continues to be vigilant in enforcing its Substance Abuse Policy. The policy, based on reasonable suspicion, allows NASCAR to broadly administer tests virtually anytime, anywhere.