Story by: Corey Latham ~ [email protected]

Burlington, NC(February 3, 2011) — In racing nothing is for certain and unfortunately, one of those things are a drivers safety. While it is always of the up-most importance, racers are just that, racers and driving a race car at any speed can be dangerous.

Last year former NASCAR racer, Shane Hmiel found that out in the worst way, with a terrifying accident that nearly took his life in a Sprint car at Terra Haute Speedway in Indiana. With the outlook bleak at best, the 30 year-old began the fight of his life and has defied the odds, with lots of help along the way. Family always gives the best support in any bad situation and his goes a long way, all the way to Ace Speedway in Altamahaw NC.

The spirit of Shane Hmiel will be evident all season long at Ace, as his Cousin Patrick Coleman looks to give the best medicine a racer can ask for, simply racing. Patrick will enter his second season in the Limited Late Model division at the 4/10 mile bullring driving a car with a stunning paint job, the exact one that was on his cousins Sprint car that fateful day back in October. To make it even sweeter, Hmiel himself will be at the opening race on March 25th at Ace to cheer him on, his first trip back to a track and his first time to watch his cousin, Patrick race.

Coleman looks to run for the championship this season and the new paint scheme has him hyped and ready to get to work.

“I’m always ready to go racing, but to have the paint scheme and changing my number to #17 to honor Shane(Hmiel) really gets the butterflies going with it,” said Coleman. “We have grown up together, I even drove his motorhome when he ran Trucks, Busch and Cup, so we have always been close. And having him there on opening night to see the car is extra special, I hope I can put it in victory lane for my first ever win. As soon as we got it wrapped last week I sent him a picture of it, then they called and said that was the first time he has cried since the accident, so I’m happy I can do this for him.”

Patrick knows it will be tough going though, as the Limited division is very tough at Ace Speedway and with a few more big players coming this season it won’t get any easier.

“Last season was a learning thing for me, I mean that was only my second season racing ever. I started in the Extreme division in 2009, then went right to the Limited Late Models last year. We got a few seconds and thirds, but I really expected to win towards the end of the season and it just didn’t work out. A few people stepped on my toes quite a bit, but this year I’m going to be more aggressive, we might have to re-wrap that nose a few times but I will always stand my ground. I want to win but my ultimate goal is the championship, with the equipment we have there is no reason not to.”

“The tribute car is an old Phil Bryant car that he won some championships in, but we still have the old #81 too,” continued an excited Coleman. “We call the #81 “Old Faithful” since it seems to get the job done when we need it. We had some people come by wanting to buy it, but we decided just to hang on to it. It has Holman Moody parts off a early 70’s Ford truck on the front of it and some of the steering components are from a Chevelle. Some people think that’s crazy, but they work well and I can tell you one thing, they don’t make parts that durable anymore.”

When asked what it would mean if he could bring home the win on opening night with his cousin Shane there, he only had three words.

“Lot’s of tears. But, they will be for tears of joy, for me winning, but more importantly just him being able to be there with me at all, the doctors basically said he didn’t have a chance, but he is a fighter. We went and saw him in Atlanta a few weeks ago and the progress is amazing, he is on his way for sure, he has no quit in him.”

Indeed, the night of March 25th at Ace will be very special. Opening night and an appearance by a racer that refuses to quit and defies the odds, enough to make anyone’s heart warm. And, to think if the #17 cruises into victory lane, it could end up being one of the most emotional nights any racetrack has seen in some time.