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."
