Sweet redemption: truck series driver Shane Hmiel, suspended by NASCAR last season for violating the substance abuse policy, is again showing the racing world what he can do.(NASCAR)(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)

Shane Hmiel, at 24, still has the look of a kid who race to the jagged edge until quitting time. That's why teams in NASCAR's top three series are offering him contracts for 2005.

But look more closely at Hmiel, who was changed by his suspension in September 2003 for violating NASCAR's substance abuse policy. He knows he can no longer be just a kid.

That realization--and support from his father, Steve, and his mother, Lisa--have helped him bounce back. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series owner Billy Ballew gave him the platform, gambling on Hmiel for his struggling No. 15 Chevrolet before Hmiel's reinstatement was certain.

Hmiel (pronounced meal) got his first victory after a memorable two-lap charge on Todd Bodine in late September at Las Vegas. He has nine top 10 finishes this season and was second at Memphis and Bristol. He also finished fourth in the Busch Series race at Milwaukee, spelling Kasey Kahne in the No. 38 car. Hmiel also has run three Cup races in Bill Davis' No. 23.

"To turn everything around and come back better than ever, that's really exciting," Hmiel says. "To get the chance to come back means everything."

Hmiel was running eighth in the Busch Series points race in George deBidart's car last year when NASCAR suspended him after the second Richmond race. He lost the ride.

Hmiel responded quickly. He admitted his mistake and sought to do whatever NASCAR required for reinstatement.