Darby: Hmiel can't go in any restricted area

DOVER, Del. -- Shane Hmiel, suspended indefinitely from any NASCAR-sanctioned competition after violating NASCAR's substance abuse policy, will not be granted entrance into any area restricted to NASCAR members, Winston Cup director John Darby told NASCAR.com.

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"If there's a maze full of doors, the doors he can't go through are the ones that read 'Must be a NASCAR member to enter,'" Darby said. "He can go to the suites or the campground. He's not barred from the premises."

But he can't enter the garage until NASCAR deems it appropriate. That means any NASCAR garage, even local short tracks.

"This means any NASCAR competition function, whether it's NASCAR-sanctioned tests, whether it's coming to the track and being in the garage -- he is suspended from any, and I mean any, participation," said NASCAR vice president for corporate communications Jim Hunter.

	John Darby

"With that in mind, he will have to toe the line on the recommendations we're presenting to him, such as counseling, etc."

NASCAR's substance abuse policy states that the sanctioning body holds the right to test anyone holding a NASCAR license under the reasonable suspicion guidelines, which include erratic behavior, inattentiveness, noticeable mood swings, slurred speech and dilated pupils.

"The reason we use reasonable behavior is the close proximity that crews and drivers work side-by-side with each other, week in and week out," Hunter said. "That makes normal behavior recognizable."