When Shane Hmiel first failed a NASCAR drug test in 2003 for using marijuana, NASCAR had a simple response. Hmiel was required to go to a series of one-hour classes about the dangers of drug use while suspended for the final eight Busch Series races of 2003. After completing the classes, he was allowed back onto the track in 2004. Hmiel stopped using drugs for a brief period and was back to racing. But he soon found a way to beat NASCAR’s drug tests. Hmiel couldn’t hide it for long. In May 2005, NASCAR busted him again this time for marijuana and cocaine. He failed another test during his indefinite suspension and was suspended for life. Hmiel says he has been clean for more than three years but isn’t asking NASCAR to lift his suspension and allow him to race in NASCAR again. He would like another opportunity, he says, but he’s not asking for it. Hmiel would be happy enough if he could just go to a Saturday night short-track race sanctioned by NASCAR so he could see his friends. As of right now, he can’t go into the garage at any NASCAR event.(Scene Daily) (4-2-2010)
