Originally Posted on March 3, 2006 on Foxsports.com.
I walk this empty street, on the Blvd. of Broken Dreams - Green Day
Last week Shane Hmiel failed his third Nascar drug test. As a result, Nascar banned Hmiel from racing. For Life.
This sad saga started in September of 2003, when Hmiel tested positive and was suspended for several months. Nascar reinstated him in February 2004, when he began driving in the Busch series for Braun Motorsports. Hmiel had a highly publized run-in with Dale Jarrett in the Busch Bristol race last spring, and then was tested again in May, 2005. Hmiel failed the May test and was escorted from Lowe's Motor Speedway and suspended for the remainder of the season and for 2006.
Shane was to complete a treatment/rehabilitation program which included testing. It was a test in January that Hmiel failed. To date, Nascar has not said which drug or drugs Hmiel has tested positive for. And, to some degree, the public probably doesn't need to know unless Hmiel wants to enlighten us.
It is unclear whether Nascar's ban affects Hmiel's current plan to run USAC racing in their Silver Crown series. I assume the hope was once he was eligible to be reinstated, he would apply to Nascar and go back to the organization and series that have been good to his family (his father has worked for several prominent teams, including Roush Racing and currently is employed by Dale Earnhardt Incorporated).
Is it really necessary for Nascar to ban Hmiel for life? I agree that until he has fully and adequately addressed his drug problem, he should not be allowed behind the wheel of a race car. But, given that the opportunity for drivers to ascend to Nascar's top level are minimal and that the window for drivers to be a "young hotshoe" is brief, wouldn't a ban until he had tested drug-free for 2-3 years after he completed a streneous program be adequate? Do we need to say that Hmiel, who is currently 25, can't race when he's 40? Won't he live, learn and grow during that time?
Society is less tolerant of drug usage. And Congress is breathing down major league baseball and the NFL's back about steriods. Nascar can't afford to appear soft on illegal substances. And Nascar is a bit different in that drug usage could spell death to other competitors much easier than say a right-fielder who is high.
But a lifetime ban gives Hmiel nothing to work toward if his lifelong dream is to race stockcars. And, presumably, it leaves Hmiel to his own devices - nascar has no obligation to continue to monitor him, provide support, or really pay any attention to him.
Nascar's stance ignores the reality of substance addiction - relapses happen, even when the stakes are high. That is why incentives may or may not work. That is why testing must be ongoing, random and for a full panel of substances. Banning Hmiel for life may just drive him deeper into his addiction - with nothing to live for, what do you have to lose?
This case raises another issue: How often are drivers tested? What are the criteria for Nascar to ask for a test? How many drivers are tested each week? Do they screen for alcohol along with other drugs? No one seems to know or seems to be willing to share the answers to these questions. Is Nascar's drug policy merely a don't do anything until we absolutely know something is wrong strategy?
Hmiel's case isn't the first time Nascar has delved into controversy with drugs. Several years ago, Nascar had a PR nightmare when it alleged Tim Richmond tested positive for drugs. The problem was that they were HIV medications, and Nascar jumped the gun by leading everyone to believe that it was illegal substances, not doctor mandated ones. Richmond rightfully threatened legal action. Unfortunately, Richmond became increasingly ill, and eventually died from his illness. Richmond's case raises other issues -like how much should/does Nascar get into the prescription drugs each driver is taking? And how much can they tell the public about it? (I'd argue the general public does not need to know, unless the driver wants to make it public).
Finally, could a lifetime ban cause drivers who do have problems with drugs or alcohol attempt to cover it up when they are seeking treatment? The concern would be that their livelihood would disappear overnight if it came to light that they were treating a marijuana problem at a private facility. Or what if a driver is addicted to vicodin or another pain killer. How do you seek help when the potential for never working in your field again is out there?
Nascar can't force Hmiel or any other driver to clean up his act. It can't be too sympathetic when it is trying to protect other driver's lives. But it can be too zealous. And its penalties can be counterproductive.
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