Catchfence

The 3 Wide Life driver is showing that there is more to him than being
“banned for life.” And… the guy can still drive the wheels off

Charlotte, NC (June 23, 2009) – Anyone that follows racing remembers the name of Shane Hmiel. Not everyone remembers it in a positive light; many think of a young hot shot driver that lacked respect for his elders (see Dale Jarrett.) Others think of a kid who had everything and gave it all away because he couldn’t stay clean. However, there are those out there that remember a racer’s racer, with so much potential that he had his pick to drive for some of NASCAR’s top teams.

“I blew it,” said Hmiel, “but it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I know it sounds crazy, but being banned from NASCAR has made me a better person and no doubt made me a better racer. Spending time in Indy, racing open wheel, on dirt and asphalt, 3 or 4 times a week, right now I understand the passion. I know it’s a privilege. I see it in the guys I race against. Right now I am a better driver than I have ever been – having fun and starting to figure it out. Life is good.”

Starting to figure it out may be a little modest. Hmiel is racing against the best open wheel dirt drivers in the country and quickly adapting to open wheel driving. At the Chili Bowl this year he won his heat race and out of 300 cars missed the feature by one spot…in his first time ever driving a dirt midget. Recently at the historic Hoosier 100, during the Indy 500 weekend, Hmiel finished 3rd in the main event. His peers have started to take notice.

“We have all been impressed,” said Tony Stewart Racing’s Levi Jones. “Shane has picked this up so fast. I think people were a little skeptical at first, but he has proven himself out here. Most of us have been doing this kind of racing all of our lives, and he comes out here and is competitive his first time running. He keeps getting closer to winning each week. When that happens, I know that winning for him will be a regular thing.”

Hmiel is a regular contributor to 3 Wide Life. On the show, he answers email questions from fans, interviews young drivers on the brink of making it big time, takes us inside the biggest events that he competes in, and occasionally has a little fun. His third place finish at the Hoosier 100 will be featured in this week’s show.

“3 Wide Life has given me a chance to show the real racers out there that I am one of them,” explains Hmiel. “There was a time when I never thought I would be able to race again, much less have it on TV. Right now I really am living a dream. Hardly making any money, driving everywhere I go, sleeping on couches and loving every minute of it.”

More to the story…

Episode 7 synopsis … In addition to highlights from the Hoosier 100, 3 Wide Life talks to Bobby Labonte about a program he is doing in conjunction with Ask.com to help gain awareness for internet safety. Meghan Stanton checks out Charlotte NC’s Speed Street and Tony Rizzuti gets a lesson in camber from champion crew chief Rick Ren. Up and coming star, Cole Whitt, discusses driving for Red Bull, being on the fast track, and becoming the youngest USAC midget champion ever.

Web info… www.3widelife.com. Full episodes from this season are available at the site!

Where to watch… 3 Wide Life is syndicated locally, regionally and nationally. Locally it is broadcast on FOX, ABC, NBC and the CW networks. Regionally it airs on Fox SportsSouth, Florida Sun Sports, Altitude Sports, Fox Sports Midwest, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, Sports Time Ohio, and Cox Sports Television. Nationally you can catch the show on Untamed Sports. Check our website to find out what channel 3WL airs it in your area.

Livin’ 3 Wide… Shane Hmiel, driver of the 3 Wide Life USAC midget will be racing Friday night at Richmond International Raceway in the Rotondo Weirich 60 in the No. 17 Rotondo Weirich Sprint Car. Saturday he will be running previous to the Indy Racing League in the RW No.17 USAC Silver Crown Car.

Teching out with Tony… This week in the Circle Track Tech Zone, Tony Rizzuti travels to Kevin Harvick Inc. to meet with Rick Ren, champion crew chief for Ron Hornaday in the Camping World Truck Series to discuss camber and the common mistakes that racers make when heading to the track.

· On the Web with Meg… “What’s up 3 Wide Life! Be sure to check out 3WideLife.com where you can catch up on all of our new episodes from this season. If you haven’t checked us out yet, be sure to follow us on Twitter where you can stay up to speed, week to week with what the 3 Wide Life crew. Also be sure to checkout 3 Wide Life on Facebook, where we have new pictures of racers livin’ 3 Wide!”

3 WIDE LIFE

3 Wide Life examines life inside the garage, targeting the hard-core race fan. Three Wide Life is meant not only to entertain the race fans, but to also educate new viewers about the drivers, the business, and the people behind the teams. For years race fans have been asking for real behind-the-scenes content they can’t get anywhere else. The nationally syndicated series is created and produced by Charlotte-based motorsports agency Leverage Sports, who knew they could successfully provide the fans with exactly what they were looking for. Three Wide Life cuts to the core of true racing fans, whether stock car, open wheel, dirt or anything in between.

- Leverage Sports for 3 Wide Life, Press Release