That article was amazing! I was a huge Shane fan in NASCAR and it broke my heart when I found out he was throwing his life away. I am so glad he is finally on the right track! I talked to his dad at Talladega a few weeks ago, Shane is going to be running the Chili Bowl for sure, and he is probably going to run ARCA full time next year.

I hate to see open wheel racing become the refuge for druggies kicked out of NASCAR. Shane Hmeil's claim to fame will always be that he is suspended for life from the world's largest motorsports sanctioning body because of drug use. The youngsters in those stands need to know that drug use is detrimental and having this guy out there racing says you can get away with it. I think it sets a bad example for those who might be tempted.

I have to wonder how many Shane Hmiel fans their would be on here if he hadn't been driving one of Bryan Clauson's cars for a good part of the year? I'm pretty sure this love fest wouldn't be happening if he didn't have some pretty respected people working with him.

i was a shane hmiel fan to begin with, and that fact that he's workin with BC is just icing on the cake, as for aj he has been reinstated that i know of and he is working on some truck stuff for next year

I respect your opinion, BUT! The way I see it could also set a example for those who truely seek a second chance.
When I look at the stick and ball sports and see repeat offenders criminals etc it does upset me. Let time and what the results are judge Shane Hmeil.
Sounds to me he just needs to grow up.

Shane has bi-polar disorder, a serious problem. It is a chemical imbalance that is sometimes difficult to diagnose and treat. I know this, because I've had three family members diagnosed with it. One family member did drugs, one did alcohol, and one did both. It is an attempt to medicate yourself to try to reduce the symptoms of this terrible affliction. It has ripped my family apart at times trying to cope with it.

You can't dismiss this as him just being a drugged-up little punk. He's no more guilty than a cancer patient taking morphine to try to get some relief from the pain. It's just a different kind of pain. A disease is a disease and they come in all shapes and forms. I say cut him some slack.

Best of luck to Shane and I for one will be rooting:thumb for him from the stands at the track and for his well being off the track.

One way to regain credibility that you may have lost, is before you try to make your case to the general public, go try to sell it to someone/s with an established track record of being credible and higher than average standards. IMO, that's what this kid has done, in this case. It's not the easiest path to take, but if you're serious about changing for the better, it's definitely the best. I wish him success and the strength to stay on the right track.

Jerry

It's quite apparent that some folks don't believe in second chances and redemption; either that, ot they just didn't read the article.....

Shane's bi-polar, which was misdiagnosed; and he used drugs to try and cope with his problem. OK, he did screw up, he used drugs, but he's gotten his act together. The fact that he's associated with Tim and Bryan just tells me how much they believe in Shane and second chances. While you can choose to dislike Shane for what he did to himself, until you've walked a mile in his shoes, you cannot judge him for trying to be better.....

Too many people believe only in second chances for themselves. It's why our prisons are so full.
Jim Morrison

I was going to stay out of this, but I would like to say a couple things. I was a little concerned when I was asked about Shane being a teammate on the RW Silver Crown car. As a driver, I think we are even more critical on people throwing away a career we would love to have. I didnt know Shane at all. But I try not to judge people until I know them myself. And Shane is a great guy and we have quickly become friends. He was hired because of his talent and has helped our pavement program. Nobody helped him get the ride. He has talked pretty openly about his past. And the funny thing is, I had no idea about him having a disease until reading the article. He never once blamed the drugs on that. In the conversations we have had, I feel he has taken all the responsibility upon himself. I think that takes a hell of a person to do that when you could, and can, put the blame on an actual disease. There is not a more down to earth person in the pits than him or anyone that will work harder.