“DALE EARNHARDT might be trying to hire Steve Hmiel to help run Steve Park’s team next season, but Earnhardt might not be willing to pay Hmiel as much as Jack Roush, according to sources close to the situation. Hmiel, meanwhile, has begun working the garage for a crew chief to work with him on Johnny Benson’s cars next season . . . and sources within the Roush operation say Robin Pemberton’s name has come up as one man Hmiel might like to land. Hmiel and Pemberton have been teammates before, and Pemberton, according to sources close to the veteran crew chief, hasn’t been very happy the last few months at Penske South. There is also speculation that Robby Loomis, who works just up the road at Petty Enterprises, might be on Hmiel’s list. Loomis was also on Richard Childress’ short list of crew chiefs for Earnhardt’s team. Loomis, though, says he expects to stay with Petty.”(JournalNow)(10-5-97)
