Hmiel in hospital with multiple fractures

Shane Hmiel suffered two compression fractures in his neck and two in his back following a violent wreck during qualifying at Terre Haute Action Track Saturday while driving a United States Auto Club Silver Crown car.

His father Steve Hmiel, director of competition for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, texted to FOXSports.com: “Head looks promising, heavily sedated so hard to tell about waking up. No feeling in legs but might get better.”

The elder Hmiel, who left Auto Club Speedway Saturday night and is at the hospital with his son, added Shane remains in ICU in critical condition.

Hmiel, 30, is expected to undergo surgery on Sunday at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was airlifted to the hospital Saturday night following his accident.

Hmiel has competed in the top three USAC divisions and scored his first Sprint Car win at Iowa Speedway in 2009, the same season he earned USAC’s Most Improved Driver Award and Rookie of the Year honors at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, OK.

Touted as the next IndyCar Series standout, series officials recently commented on his continued climb through the open-wheel ranks.

"I’m excited to see Shane compete with us," Randy Bernard, CEO of the IndyCar Series recently told FOXSports.com. "Everyone says he’s a great driver and we’re going to give him a chance. I think that’s very important. Everyone deserves a chance and we’re committed to making sure that he has that opportunity.

"He’s exactly what I’m talking about. He’s a dirt track, short track, Americana and if he makes it over here it’s going to be a great storyline. And that’s the type of thing that we need to develop, then embrace him and give him the opportunity to succeed."

Hmiel began his NASCAR career in the Goody’s Dash Series and won rookie honors in 2001. Hmiel graduated to what is now the Nationwide Series in 2002 and showed great promise. He would compete until 2005, then later was suspended for life from NASCAR following his third violation of the substance-abuse policy.

Overall, Hmiel made seven Cup starts in two seasons. He made a total of 83 Nationwide start 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.

News of the accident quickly spread among fans and competitors Saturday night. JTG Daugherty Racing crew chief Frankie Kerr received a call from the track Saturday, learning that Hmiel was seriously injured in a crash during qualifying and track officials were trying to reach his father.

Kerr, a former USAC standout, knows the track well. He won the Non-Wing Nationals in 1999.

“It’s one of the fastest flat tracks in the country,” Kerr said, “It’s fast, real fast. It’s a damn dangerous racetrack. They put up concrete walls there a couple of years ago and they don’t give. Why they changed the walls I’ll never know. They need to learn from NASCAR and some of their (safety initiatives), to be honest.”

Kerr raced USAC Sprint Cars for 20 years before he changed his course. During that period, he broke his back three times during competition. He recalls an 11-day period where he laid paralyzed in a hospital bed.

“I’ve had those breaks before -- the L2 (veterbrae),” Kerr said, touching his lower back. “I feel bad for the kid. He was trying to make a comeback but the USAC cars are the most dangerous racing there is. It’s just unfortunate.”