Dale Jarrett leans into Shane Hmiel's car after an incident during Monday's Busch Series race at Bristol. Credit: Autostock

Hmiel tries to mend fences after spat with Jarrett

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Dale Jarrett and Shane Hmiel have had several days to digest the intricacies of the confrontation at Bristol Motor Speedway that resulted in a wrecked racecar for Jarrett and a 25-point penalty for Hmiel.

Both drivers released statements Friday through their respective car manufacturers, Jarrett through Ford Motor Company and Hmiel through General Motors.

Shane Hmiel

"My thoughts haven't changed," said Jarrett, who qualified 32nd for the Advance Auto Parts 500 at Martinsville. "The reason there was a red flag and the reason I went to Shane's car was to ask him where he thought he was going. I was in a three-wide situation trying to dig as hard as he was.

"There was a lapped car on the outside, Jon Wood got loose, and I went underneath him. When I got underneath him, I got hit and hit again and turned. I just didn't understand his impatience at that time, and I think that's something all of us have had to learn over the years.

"We probably all have gotten a talking to from somebody at some point in time. I know I've had mine when I first came into this sport. I didn't go to create a fight and I certainly didn't go to create a situation that would actually be harmful to Shane.

"I hate that he's lost points and I hate that he got the fine. That wasn't what any of it was intentioned to do. It certainly wasn't to go fight."

Hmiel expressed remorse for his actions, which included an inappropriate hand gesture and harsh post-race comments towards Jarrett.

Tempers flareJarrett chews out Hmiel for spinning him late in the race Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

"I want to apologize to the fans watching on television, especially the children, that they witnessed the post race live on TV," Hmiel said.

"Every driver builds up so much adrenaline at Bristol that it isn't easy to shut it down immediately when your car rolls to a stop, but it doesn't make up for the fact that everyone watching live TV witnessed the incident."

In the aftermath of the incident, speculation arose that Jarrett threatened Hmiel when he leaned into the window of the No. 32 WinFuel Chevrolet. Jarrett denied those claims Friday.

"I've heard him say that I threatened him. I didn't threaten him," Jarrett said. "My comments were to him that it would cost him and, obviously, it has cost him. It wasn't a cost in a way that I was gonna do anything back to him because that's not gonna solve any problems for anybody.

"It's not my duty to make sure that everybody out here understands patience and tell everybody how to drive, but I think in a situation like that it could have been more of a helpful situation. But he obviously took it the wrong way."

Hmiel's post race comments -- "He claimed he'd get me, so he better hurry up because he ain't got much longer" -- raised questions about the respect given veteran drivers from the younger generation.

MORE ON THE INCIDENT •   Hmiel docked points, fined for Bristol incident •   Drivers wonder if Hmiel penalty sets precedent •   Smith: Spotlight brightest when racing tempers flare •   Harvick edges Burton to complete Bristol sweep

Having, and showing, the utmost respect for those that laid the groundwork has been a staple of the sport for decades, a sentiment some fear has eroded considerably.

"When I was coming along, if we went to the veteran drivers it was for advice and because we looked up to them," Jarrett said. "I'm not sure that's the case this day and time. You can't put it all on them, but it's kind of the way things are now.

"They come in with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder thinking that's the way that they have to be -- that they can't let anybody think they're not on the same level as what they are -- no matter what anybody may have accomplished or what they may have done.

"They need everyone to feel that they're on the same level, so I think there's a little lack of respect, but it's not just in this garage area or not just within auto racing. It's in our society, period."

Jarrett's former teammate at Robert Yates Racing, Ricky Rudd, says it's a personality conflict rather than an age issue.

"I don't really think it's so much a young-old thing as it is you've got to evaluate the personality of the individual that's making the statements," Ricky Rudd said. "It just so happened that you had a young guy-old guy situation pop up there.

"If the two would have been the same age, I'm sure that Dale would have been the guy with the class and Shane would have probably been the guy, even if he'd have been older, he would have probably said something stupid. You've got to think about what you're gonna say before you say it. There has to be a mutual respect."

Hmiel said he respects Jarrett, even if his post race comments suggested otherwise.

"First, I would like to personally assure the fans that I have the utmost respect for all of the drivers who have built this sport to the level it is today, especially Dale Jarrett," Hmiel said.

Hmiel intends to contact Jarrett and apologize for his post-race comments.

"I would like to put this all behind us so we can all go forward in a positive manner," Hmiel said. "We have filed an appeal with NASCAR regarding the penalties that were assessed and will make the best presentation we can. Whatever the decision is, we will respect and move on to the next race."