Support » SCENE-please remove inappropriate photos of the dead/horrific
Meg, I liked the flowers, too! Especially the gold/yellow one. I would much much rather look at those than the wrecks. I opened one of the wrecks and ignored...
Hmiel: Difference of opinion led to split with DEI
By Kenny Bruce
Friday, October 19, 2007
RUSTY JARRETT / GETTY IMAGES
MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Steve Hmiel says it was a difference in opinion that led to his departure from Dale Earnhardt Inc.
Hmiel, the director of competition at DEI, left the organization Oct. 18, ending a nine-year relationship.
"Just a difference in philosophy," Hmiel said of the split Friday at Martinsville Speedway. "It was a job I grew into, so there wasn't really ever a definition [of the position]. I started out doing one thing, then added things along the way and pretty soon, you find yourself doing a lot of different stuff. But I really enjoyed it.
"It's a different world now, a different time. Some of the things I saw chaffed against me, and some of the things I did chaffed against them. So we sat down and talked about it and thought we might ought to just go do this."
According to a DEI release, Hmiel's duties "have been redistributed throughout the organization, and his replacement will be named soon."
"Steve has been a part of the success of Dale Earnhardt Inc., and we are grateful for his contributions to the company," said John Story, vice president of motorsports. "We wish him well with his future plans."
Hmiel also served as the spotter for Dale Earnhardt Jr. but relinquished those duties once the Chase For The Nextel Cup began.
"When Junior didn't make chase and No.1 car [with Martin Truex Jr.] did, DEI wanted me in the garage to help fix wrecks and stuff like that," Hmiel said. "I've got a history of building cars, and I'm OK at it. They said 'Junior wants to try out his spotter for next year, he's not in the Chase so it's not as critical as it was, and we would really like to have you in the garage fixing cars as necessary.' I said sure, no problem."
Mentioned Drivers: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the AMP Energy 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6248 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -184 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -192 |
| 4 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -239 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -279 |
| 6 | Kurt Busch | -312 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -340 |
| 8 | Ryan Newman | -402 |
| 9 | Kasey Kahne | -414 |
| 10 | Carl Edwards | -437 |
| 11 | Denny Hamlin | -448 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -556 |
Popular News
-
Hendrick Motorsports' Dale Earnhardt Jr. eager for return to Texas Motor Speedway
Comments (138) -
Richard Petty Motorsports' AJ Allmendinger charged with driving while impaired
Comments (73) -
JR Motorsports continues work on bringing Danica Patrick to NASCAR
Comments (69) -
NASCAR says bump-drafting rules not to blame for single-file Talladega racing
Comments (67) -
Dave Rogers to become Kyle Busch's new Cup crew chief at Joe Gibbs Racing
Comments (64)
Recent Headlines
-
Nationwide penalty likely for opening-day violation by Kyle Busch team
Comments (6) -
Kyle Busch pulls off Texas two-step by winning Nationwide race
Comments (9) -
Oklahoma teacher named Dickies American Worker of the Year
Post Comment -
Roush Fenway Racing's Donnie Wingo set to return to organization for 2010 NASCAR season
Post Comment -
Toyota executive addresses Formula One decision, Earnhardt Ganassi possibility
Comments (6)
Poll PositionView All
Which NASCAR Sprint Cup race winner from the past two seasons is most likely to earn his first victory of 2009 in the next three races?
Promotions
-
Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.
-
Cast your vote for the NASCAR Illustrated 2009 Person of the Year, presented by Old Spice.
-
Make weekly pics for the Chase and be entered to win weekly SPEED Merchandise.
