Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

I know he's not the quintessential Indiana sprint or midget racer, but Shane Hmiel is on Wind Tunnel, and maybe he'll mention the Eldora fiasco...

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Good interview. Shane was honest about his drug issues, and seems like a young man with his priorities in order. :6:

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

I am a BIG fan of Shane, only thing I can hold against him is he drove those awful NASCAR things by choice. :3:

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

i wasn't much of a Shane Hmiel fan, but after the Wind Tunnel interview, I have a lot of respect for the guy owning up to his mistakes. Plus, he's now a rare American that actually has interest in IndyCar racing. I say way to go Shane!

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

after watching that there is a reason why he has the nick name THE REAL DEAL he is a great person and someone to watch way to go shane i'm really regeting not going to work for you THANKS FUZZ

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

good interview, and how about the artic cat 3c sprinter on the table,i'm sure ds-dd-mm-rs and ck noticed it:6:

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

I think Shane brought to light some important points for many families that maybe struggling with one issue or another along the lines of depression, bi polar and other chemical issues of the brain. Our society is so addiction focused that it many times looks away from the fact that there actually may be an undelying health problem. Not to dismiss those who simply are struggling with addiction as any less than those with underlying mental illness.. All of it is a from of illness no doubt as most people who are intoxicated regularly are trying to adjust something in order to cope with life events, at the point of addiction it has certainly transcended entertainment or relaxation..

Whatever the case as Shane said the important thing is he has his life and he can deal with the rest from there.

Shane has made us proud as sponsors here at Alex Pruett Memorial Racing, Three WIde Life and the Pruett Family . We are there all the way for him.

In loving memory of Alex Pruett #56 USAC

Stefan, Paula and Steven Pruett

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Here's the link if you missed the interview last night:

SH Interview - SPEEDTV

We are proud to have Shane as a member of our team! He continually adds his energy and enthusiasm to his talent and passion for racing.

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Originally Posted by RWMotorsports:
Here's the link if you missed the interview last night:

SH Interview - SPEEDTV

We are proud to have Shane as a member of our team! He continually adds his energy and enthusiasm to his talent and passion for racing.

As time moves forward and the more I see and hear from Shane, the more I like him. Congrats to him on being clean almost three years. I really enjoy watching him hone his talents driving REAL race cars with USAC. Best of luck to him in '10 and I'll be rooting for Shane from the grandstands whenever I can.:6:

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Excellent interview. If you didn't see it, click on the link and watch it. I am glad we have the opportunity to see Shane race.

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

It was a good interview. Covered all the ground that the one he did for Buckley last year, but to a wider audience. I can say that anytime I have had the pleasure to watch him on the track, he has not disappointed.

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Originally Posted by RWMotorsports:
Here's the link if you missed the interview last night:

SH Interview - SPEEDTV

We are proud to have Shane as a member of our team! He continually adds his energy and enthusiasm to his talent and passion for racing.

Thanks for posting the link, I did miss the interview last night. Enjoyed getting the chance to see the excellent interview. Wish Shane and your team all the best with his racing in 2010 and the future.

Patti

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Originally Posted by IndyBound:
Thanks for posting the link, I did miss the interview last night. Enjoyed getting the chance to see the excellent interview. Wish Shane and your team all the best with his racing in 2010 and the future.

Patti

Patti,

Anyone with iTunes can watch or listen to Speed Report or Wind Tunnel whenever they want.

During racing season, and whenever I watch Family Guy with my wife, I just listen to Wind Tunnel the following week at work.

James

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Great interview last night. Shane really seems to be on the right path now and the thing that struck me in the interview was his level of personal ease and comfort.

I can remember Shane's early years at Caraway in the late model stocks and wasn't impressed. Like he said on the interview, a lot of stuff got tore up. When he entered the USAC world, I was hesitant, but last year at the Four Crown, I was impressed. And, two weeks ago at Hickory, I was very impressed at how he got up on the wheel and drove to his first National Midget win.

I hope he stays with USAC for quite a while and I hope he gets that shot at the Indy ride if that's what he wants. Just don't bite off too much too soon.

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Originally Posted by Bruce Harrison:
Good interview. Shane was honest about his drug issues, and seems like a young man with his priorities in order. :6:

Originally Posted by ruts n guts:
i wasn't much of a Shane Hmiel fan, but after the Wind Tunnel interview, I have a lot of respect for the guy owning up to his mistakes. Plus, he's now a rare American that actually has interest in IndyCar racing. I say way to go Shane!

Originally Posted by MAXIMHATER:
after watching that there is a reason why he has the nick name THE REAL DEAL he is a great person and someone to watch way to go shane i'm really regeting not going to work for you THANKS FUZZ

Originally Posted by interpreter66:
good interview, and how about the artic cat 3c sprinter on the table,i'm sure ds-dd-mm-rs and ck noticed it:6:

Excellent observations, and, yes, I noticed the Arctic Cat car with Dave's name on it. That was a good looking car.

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

The Bipolar thing deffinatly shed a new light on addiction. Very glad he got his life put back together. Hopefully he can be continue to race for a living.This was a great interview. I do have 1 problem though, why hasn't USAC brought this to the fans long before now. #1 problem i have with USAC today.... WHO ARE THE DRIVERS? I learn more about a usac driver when he pops into Gas City or Lawrenceburge for a regular night show than I learn about all the drivers at a usac show. To be honest with you, before this interview, I thought he was just some guy with money to spend. Went out and bought himself a ride until something else opens up. Man I was way off.

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

I think that Shane's struggles and triumphs have been pretty well documented. The struggles have been very well documented, whether it be on TV, or whatever. Also, it was quite the topic on the this very same message board when he joined USAC.

I'm pretty sure that Shane didn't want a lot of "fan fair" when he came into USAC. He just wanted to race, period. Therefore, I'm not sure how USAC could have done anything different. I'm not sure how you want them to give all of the information that was done in the Wind Tunnel interview, at a race. I just don't think he wanted to be treated differently.

Jackslash did a great interview with him awhile back, like everyone said. I'd suggest you find it and watch it. It's very good.

I wish Shane the best of luck in 2010!

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

He is the real deal and he wants to race anything anytime anywhere!

The coolest thing about him is he really takes care of the stuff and sweats the small stuff when something breaks or once in a while he bends it but no to often... knock on wood.....

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

You people make it sound as it's okay to look up on breaking the rules in NASCAR three times and the law on multiple occassions becasue someone has a mental disorder.

He broke the rules, end of story. He used drugs, end of story. He raced while he was high, end of story. He is not someone I ever want my kid saying he wants to be like. If my kid ever said that then I have failed as a parent.

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Originally Posted by outsider:
You people make it sound as it's okay to look up on breaking the rules in NASCAR three times and the law on multiple occassions becasue someone has a mental disorder.

He broke the rules, end of story. He used drugs, end of story. He raced while he was high, end of story. He is not someone I ever want my kid saying he wants to be like. If my kid ever said that then I have failed as a parent.

Outsider? Good name for ya! :10: I dont want you or your kid sitting next to me when i am watching Shane at a sprint car race! Go get em Shane!!

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

https://www.indianaopenwheel.com/showthread.php?t=19284

We did this last year... June 27, 2009. Glad to see people have passion and ideas regardless of how uninformed and ignorant they can be.

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Originally Posted by outsider:
You people make it sound as it's okay to look up on breaking the rules in NASCAR three times and the law on multiple occassions becasue someone has a mental disorder.

He broke the rules, end of story. He used drugs, end of story. He raced while he was high, end of story. He is not someone I ever want my kid saying he wants to be like. If my kid ever said that then I have failed as a parent.

well i know I'm not perfect and I'm sure you aren't either people make mistakes some bigger than others I'm not saying its OK but its life and no one gets threw life without making mistakes my car owner has taught me a lot over the last few years about life and such and has opened my eyes Shane is a competitor of mine and i feel he deserves the right to race just as i do. the past is the past you cant hang that over his head i think he is an outstanding pavement driver and soon to be on dirt with laps I'm pretty sure my parents wouldn't have thought they failed if i looked up to him as a racer he has cleaned up his life and is going to do what he loves and is good at is. isn't that something you should want your kid to do so quit bashing a guy for getting his ***** together and stand behind the guy and support him

sincerely,
Robert Ballou

Robert, you have a new fan. Very nice statement from a peer. Greg
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

As someone who has battled addictions myself [ clean 8 years] I can relate to Shane, looks like he's got his priorities straight, and hes doing what he loves most, Racing ! Good on you Shane hope you have a great year !!!

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

I met Shane a couple of years ago when he came out west to try his hand at midget racing in an attempt to restart his racing career.

As a 25 year veteran police officer, I was skeptical about Shane and his "recovery". I have put my fare share of "tweeks" in prison over the years. And believe it or not a few have came back years later and thanked me for their arrest which forced them to clean up their life.

The team owner and others believed in him so I decided to give him a chance to prove himself to me. I was impressed right away, his attitude, his acceptance for his mistakes and the most important point was he did not blame anyone but himself. To me that was key, addicts always blame everyone but themselves.

I was proud to have helped Shane win the first three races back and I'm even more proud to now call Shane a friend. Good luck this year Bud and hope to see you later this year.

As for Outsider, it is nice to know that I still have some job security out there. Some people just don't get it. :11; Nuff Said...

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Robert hit it on the head. Shane is more then willing to admit he screwed up in the PAST, and is so greatful to be racing where he is right now.. All you have to do is take 10 minutes, which Im sure he is more then willing to do, and get to know the guy. Then you may know the real Shane Hmiel, hes a hell of a racer, and hell of a good person who just got off track for a brief moment in life..

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Originally Posted by Robert Ballou:
well i know I'm not perfect and I'm sure you aren't either people make mistakes some bigger than others I'm not saying its OK but its life and no one gets threw life without making mistakes my car owner has taught me a lot over the last few years about life and such and has opened my eyes Shane is a competitor of mine and i feel he deserves the right to race just as i do. the past is the past you cant hang that over his head i think he is an outstanding pavement driver and soon to be on dirt with laps I'm pretty sure my parents wouldn't have thought they failed if i looked up to him as a racer he has cleaned up his life and is going to do what he loves and is good at is. isn't that something you should want your kid to do so quit bashing a guy for getting his ***** together and stand behind the guy and support him
sincerely,
Robert Ballou

So myself and my child should support drug addicts, recovering drug addicts, rule breakers, and law breakers because they have all of a sudden had a "change of heart"?

It's people like you and other coddlers that show just how bad this world is screwed up. Reward those who ruin their lives.

As to JstAbvVMC, the comment about me being "job security" for you is actually kind of funny. How is my comment of not supporting this "person" and failing as a parent for raising a child that idolizes a drug addict giving you "job security"?

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Originally Posted by outsider:
So myself and my child should support drug addicts, recovering drug addicts, rule breakers, and law breakers because they have all of a sudden had a "change of heart"?

It's people like you and other coddlers that show just how bad this world is screwed up. Reward those who ruin their lives.

As to JstAbvVMC, the comment about me being "job security" for you is actually kind of funny. How is my comment of not supporting this "person" and failing as a parent for raising a child that idolizes a drug addict giving you "job security"?

You can support whoever you want. If you are jealous of the opportunities afforded to someone and covering it up with frustration, please don't teach your child this behaviour.

I don't see how he was coddled, in the end he did lose his career. This world is screwed up because a lot of people don't teach their kids what to do if they make mistakes, and thats because no one taught them. So you think the parent of every drug addict has failed, and those kids should be forever banned from society? It seems to me he is a responsible productive member of society.

I don't expect you to "get it", but I hope someone who reads these posts learns that they can change, or learns they can forgive someone. Some of us know that that is what's great about this world. Job Security would be because as long as there is parents believing their kids won't do drugs, they are going to be ignorant of the facts. If you think anyone who unfortunately starts to do drugs in their early teens, perfects hiding and lying, only learns this behaviour from their friends, has no support from their family, or a family who enables this behaviour (through there own intolerance or lack of education), should be jailed for life. Everyone's life is different, if you think your's it perfect, keep on pretending...

What you are correct about is that many addicts don't have the knowledge to get recovery, can't see the world any differently and that a great many do not stay clean. Many go on to prison, leach off society or die from drug addiction. So if you think the one person you see/read/hear about that is clean, should be banished from the earth, then go on and think that.

Just know that most of us who are for Shane, remain calm when typing on this forum. You seem to be as well. Don't let someone else's life situation affect your own life in a negative way. When it comes to your child this is an opportunity to teach them about what drugs can do to your life, what that child can do if they end up using drugs. Please don't live in the fantasy world of believing that your kid won't do drugs. Sure it's a mistake, but by no means should they be shunned from society if they can turn their life around.

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

As I said in the posts on this subject last year, I don't know that Shane "deserved" a second chance in racing after his struggles. He was, however, offered the second chance and I hoped he would make the best of it.

He has ........ and more.

Tim Simmons

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

I don't get the Shane Bashing. In fact I can relate as a dependent on a drug. (Cigarettes) Yeah, Whatever! But the fact is, I suffered mass depression as a teen and cigarettes stopped that completely. I should follow Shanes lead and get the help I need to stop the drug use, Which will probably be another DRUG (Prozac or something)

You ever meet a true Bi Polar person having a episode? They are like on super speed with their mind running a thousand thoughts a minute. Completely engulfed in fear and followed by mass depressive states. I know, I have a couple relatives and had several neighbors that have it. And they often turn to alcohol or drugs to curb the extremeness of their symptoms.

I met him and thought he was a stand up guy, His coming out and stating the facts and admitting he has nobody to blame but himself is right on with me. In Fact, I take him as a model to get the help I need.

Im sure Outsider has never done nothing wrong or even told a little white lie. If there's no forgiveness in your heart, I honestly, don't want to know ya.

Chuck

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:
I don't get the Shane Bashing. In fact I can relate as a dependent on a drug. (Cigarettes) Yeah, Whatever! But the fact is, I suffered mass depression as a teen and cigarettes stopped that completely. I should follow Shanes lead and get the help I need to stop the drug use, Which will probably be another DRUG (Prozac or something)

You ever meet a true Bi Polar person having a episode? They are like on super speed with their mind running a thousand thoughts a minute. Completely engulfed in fear and followed by mass depressive states. I know, I have a couple relatives and had several neighbors that have it. And they often turn to alcohol or drugs to curb the extremeness of their symptoms.

I met him and thought he was a stand up guy, His coming out and stating the facts and admitting he has nobody to blame but himself is right on with me. In Fact, I take him as a model to get the help I need.

Im sure Outsider has never done nothing wrong or even told a little white lie. If there's no forgiveness in your heart, I honestly, don't want to know ya.

Chuck

Chuck, Thank you for describing what someone that is Bi Polar goes through. One of my best friends in Arizona's adult son is Bi Polar over the past ten years I have watched his disease destroy his marriage, destroy most of his relationships with his family and put him on a self destructive collison course. Unlike Shane he was unable to admit he had a problem. I give Shane alot of credit for turning his life around and wish him the best of luck in the future, both with his racing and his personal life.

As for outsider, I pray to God your child never makes a mistake since you are incapable of forgiveness.

Patti

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

You know, I'd like to think I live in a world where forgiveness to those who own up to their mistakes, make the necessary changes to bettering themselve, and speak openly against the decisions they've made is embraced rather than looked down upon. Maybe you're missing the point here Outsider, no one is saying you or your child should look up to Shane or anyone for the past decisions or the paths they chose previously, but more so the progress and improvements they've made toward the future.

I'll be the first to say when Shane came to USAC, and got the opportunities he was given I had negative thoughts. I was jealous that someone who'd done the things he'd been involved with was given a chance here while others who had walked a straight clean path were struggling to find any one to share these generousities. I was single minded as you are being and I truely regret ever being that way.

I spent time last season as a teammate to Shane. I feel privileaged to even say him and I are friends. He's a great person, racer, and motivator. He KNOWS the mistakes he's made, and he is open to talk to anyone about it, it's his past, and that's where it stays. I think before you get on here and really lay into Shane or the people whom support him, maybe you need to meet him, and see who it is you're laying shame against.

I know for a fact you won't feel the same way after meeting, having a conversation, and realizing truely the good person you're speaking about here in such a negative way.

Shane Hmiel's Friend :9:



Jonathan Vennard

Re: Shane Hmiel on Wind Tunnel
 

Glad to see Shane on wind tunnel answer with such honesty. It takes a certian kind of person to admit that they wasted an opportunity like he had.

On that note, whatever happened to Aaron Fike?