Hmiel Takes The Wheel
Shane Hmiel, who was coming off a drug suspension, was driving in the Craftsman Truck Series for Billy Ballew Motorsports. Hmiel was willing to take the wheel, however, of the GIC-Mixon car for some free weekends during the spring. This allowed the team to have its best runs ever. After qualifying 32nd and finishing there at Fontana, Hmiel qualified in 18th, setting a team record, at Gateway. He was running in the top-15 when his engine blew.
With Hmiel busy for a weekend, Todd Bodine got behind the wheel of the #24 at Richmond International Raceway. The team had a new sponsor, as well. FanZ Car had left after 2003, and Quality Plus Services signed on to be the primary sponsor for the rest of the year. Bodine and the team had a good run at Richmond, qualifying 27th and finishing 24th.
Hmiel was back in the car for the next two races and qualifying well. He started 18th at Dover Downs and 19th at Charlotte. However, Hmiel wrecked out of both races while running mid-pack.
Aaron Fike took the wheel for a race at Nashville. Despite starting 43rd, Aaron, a relatively inexperienced rookie, completed 92 laps and was running well, before overheating took him to a 36th place finish.
Read more about this topic: GIC-Mixon Motorsports
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