Decals and T-Shirts On Sale To Benefit Hmiel Family; Updated 1:51AM 10/16
United States Auto Club (USAC) announced on Thursday that "Racing to Recovery" decals would be sold to raise money for the Hmiel family in helping to pay the medical expenses. Following a wreck last Saturday during USAC qualifying in Indiana, Shane Hmiel flipped his silver crown car, sustaining multiple injuries.
The decals are available to be bought at the track for $5.00, or can be ordered through USAC's website with free shipping at the same price.
One has already been reported to have been spotted on Robby Gordon's Sprint Cup Series this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
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Also, RWB Motorsports, Hmiel's USAC team, has announced that the 2010 t-shirts are available on their site for $25.00 with sales also being donated from them.
In his road to recovery, Hmiel has already gone through two successful surgeries.
Sunday night, he went through neck surgery as he broke his neck in two spots. According to sources, they inserted two rods into his neck, which actually stimulated the brain and got some movement out of his hands and arms.
He then went through back surgery the next day, and it was reported to have exceeded expectations.
Hmiel was expected to have a third surgery Friday morning at 8:00a.m. for a torn artery in his neck, however that surgery has since been postponed.
For continued updates from the Hmiel family, check out the Shane Hmiel - Road to Recovery Facebook page where updates are posted daily from his Mom, Lisa.
The injuries were caused following a wreck in qualifying. During qualifying, USAC officials report, Hmiel flipped in turns three and four, with the top of the roll cage bouncing off the wall. Initial reports said that Hmiel was unresponsive at the scene. He was then airlifted to Indianapolis Methodist Hospital.
Hmiel has been working at rebuilding his racing career after receiving a lifetime ban from NASCAR in 2005 after failing a substance abuse test.
During his NASCAR career, Hmiel made seven Cup starts in two seasons. He made a total of 83 Nationwide starts over four years, earning 23 top-10 finishes, 10 of them top-fives. He made a total of 29 Camping World Truck Series starts, winning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2004.
Update 10/15/2010 9:19PM
Lisa Hmiel (Shane's mom) posted an update on the facebook page, stating the reasons why the surgery was postponed.
good evening friends we have had a little bumpy road nothing to be too alarmed about first surgery got postponed due to irregular heartbeat nothing uncommon then we had some build up of yuck in lungs they they removed breathing much smoother and easier has slight fever not uncommon resting well thanks for all ur prayers and thoughts for him lisa
Update 10/16/2010 1:51AM
With regards to the surgery, it'll likely be Monday now as they're waiting for him to stabilize.
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