Dale Earnhardt Jr. starts 16th on Sunday. Credit: Autostock

Earnhardt Jr.'s spotter suspended for weekend

NASCAR: Hmiel showed 'complete disrespect for NASCAR'

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) -- Championship contender Dale Earnhardt Jr. will have a new spotter for the season finale because NASCAR suspended Steve Hmiel on Saturday for the rest of the weekend.

Steve Hmiel

NASCAR said Hmiel, director of motorsports at Dale Earnhardt Inc., made disparaging remarks about series officials over the radio during Friday's Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hmiel was spotting for his son, Shane, when he became angry about a ruling against him.

He was called in for a meeting with NASCAR president Mike Helton Saturday morning and was sent home.

"It showed complete disrespect for NASCAR and its officials, so after a meeting with Mike Helton, he was sent home for the weekend," said NASCAR spokesman Mike Zizzo.

Hmeil was not available for comment, and DEI officials did not announce who would replace Hmeil during Sunday's race.

Earnhardt is fourth in the standings, 72 points behind leader Kurt Busch.