Former NASCAR driver Shane Hmiel shared an emotional admission to Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. during a recent episode of “Dale Jr. Download.” Hmiel, 46, was the first driver to be banned by NASCAR after failing multiple drug tests that spanned across nearly three years.
In 2010, Hmiel was paralyzed in a qualifying crash for the USAC Silver Crown race. In the recent episode of Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, Hmiel opened up about the ups and downs of his NASCAR career and life after being paralyzed.
Shane Hmiel Opens Up to Dale Earnhardt Jr.: ‘You’re a Special Person’
Towards the end of part two of Shane Hmiel’s appearance on “Dale Jr. Download,” the former NASCAR driver made a heart-wrenching admission to the retired NASCAR star.
“I called my mom this morning at 5 o’clock this morning crying about being sad,” Hmiel said.
Earnhardt Jr. asked Hmiel why he was sad, to which he replied:
“Because I hadn’t been to bed and I didn’t want to look like an idiot on your show.”
Earnhardt Jr. and Hmiel befriended back in 1998 when the two were on their way up through the NASCAR ranks. While Earnhardt Jr. was on the fast track to be one of the top Cup Series drivers, Hmiel struggled with his drug addiction until he was eventually banned for life in 2006.
Through it all, Hmiel said Earnhardt Jr. never spoke negatively about him.
“Junior, I can text you and you’ll text me back faster than anybody. That’s because you’re a good person. You’ve watched me go through ups and downs and ups and downs and never once have you ever, ever said one bad thing about me,” he said.
It is because of the impact Earnhardt Jr. has had on Hmiel’s life why he was up the night before upset as he hoped to do well on the podcast for his longtime friend.
“Who can say that about somebody? I met you in 1998. I don’t know of you talking bad about people, you know what I mean? You’re just a special person, so therefore, at 5 o’clock this morning when I hadn’t been to bed, I called my mom, I called my sister-and-law, ‘What if I look like an idiot? What if I don’t do good for Junior?”
The “Dale Jr. Download” episode featuring Shane Hmiel is two 1-hour episodes that are available on all podcast platforms via Dirty Mo Media.
Who Is Shane Hmiel? A Look at Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Latest Podcast Guest
Through the early 2000s, Shane Hmiel was making a name for himself in NASCAR while sparking controversy along the way. From the time he made it to the sport’s highest ranks, it was evident Hmiel was talented behind the wheel but his aggressive driving style ruffled some feathers of the sport’s veterans.
Unfortunately, Hmiel made headlines for all the wrong reasons, too, becoming the first driver to be banned for life from NASCAR after failing three separate drug tests spanning from 2003-2006.
Hmiel completed rehab and ventured into racing in other forms of motorsports, such as the United States Auto Club (USAC). In 2010, Hmiel became the first driver in history to win the USAC Triple Crown in the same season, a feat not even A.J. Foyt or Mario Andretti could attain.
Hmiel was destined to become an IndyCar Series driver. Sadly, that dream would not come to fruition after Hmiel was involved in a life-threatening crash while qualifying for the USAC Silver Crown race at Terre Haute Action Track on Oct. 9, 2010.
The crash left Hmiel paralyzed. He has since regained limited use of his limbs but continues to require a wheelchair.
After his accident, Hmiel became a USAC team owner and even got the chance to get back behind the wheel of a race car during a 2013 driving experience event at Rockingham Speedway.