DOVER, Del. -- Although Shane Hmiel has accepted an indefinite suspension for violating NASCAR's substance abuse policy, the Busch series driver contends he has not been a danger on the track.

"I want to make it clear that I have never taken any substance that would interfere with my ability to drive a racecar or place my fellow competitors at risk,'' he said Friday in a statement.

The suspension cost him his job with Innovative Motorsports, which will have former series champion Jeff Green in the car starting Saturday at Dover International Speedway. Green also will drive for Petty Enterprises in Sunday's Winston Cup race.

"We certainly do not condone this type of behavior, and we fully support NASCAR in its decision,'' Innovative team owner George deBidart said. "Our entire organization wants to apologize to our sponsors, NASCAR, each of the NASCAR competitors, and our fans.''

NASCAR president Mike Helton did not specify the substance involved, but said Hmiel could seek reinstatement after agreeing to attend counseling and undergo periodic random testing.

"NASCAR has a zero tolerance for any type of behavior in violation of our substance abuse policy,'' Helton said Thursday.

Hmiel had already been disciplined this year. He and Jason Keller were fined $5,000 each and placed on probation until Dec. 31 for fighting after the Busch series event two weeks ago in Richmond, Va.

Hurricane Jimmie
A victory by Jimmie Johnson on Sunday at Dover International Speedway will add at least $100,000 to the coffers of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Johnson swept the races last year in Dover, which escaped the worst of Hurricane Isabel on Thursday and Friday. Elsewhere, people weren't so lucky, and Johnson is concerned about that.

"I'm glad I can do my part to support the American Red Cross and the people affected by Hurricane Isabel,'' Johnson said.

Lowe's, Johnson's sponsor, is donating $50,000 to the Red Cross as part of the Racing for Relief program. It will double the contribution if Johnson wins and will donate an additional $48 -- matching his car number -- for every lap head leads in the MBNA America 400.

"Racing for Relief allows me the opportunity to pitch in and lend a hand, while I do what I do best -- driving,'' said Johnson, a member of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet.

Dodging the field
Dodge Motorsports is a man short at Dover International Speedway. John Fernandez, its director of operations, was doing his own racing instead of watching over his fleet of drivers.

Fernandez is competing in the Sports Car Club of America national championship runoffs at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Piloting the No. 33 Dodge Neon, Fernandez finished first in the Detroit/Central region to advance to the championships.

Miscellaneous
Ryan Newman's victory in June was only the 12th by a polesitter in 67 races at Dover. ... David Pearson is the only driver to have two pole-race sweeps in one season, turning the double in 1973. ... Ken Schrader got the last of his four career victories 12 years ago in the June race at Dover, and is winless in his last 400 starts. ... Oldsmobile, which no longer campaigns cars on the NASCAR circuit, got its last victory when Harry Gant won at Dover in the spring of 1992. That day, he also became the oldest driver to win a 500-mile race, getting to Victory Lane at the age of 52 years, 142 days. ... Hendrick Motorsports has the most Dover victories with nine. Four came from Jeff Gordon, two from Jimmie Johnson, and one each from Ricky Rudd, Schrader and Geoff Bodine. ... Although qualifying and practice were canceled earlier this week because of Hurricane Isabel, no race at Dover has been rained out. The only blemish on the record came in the spring event in 1975. The race started on a Sunday, when 140 laps were run. The other 360 were completed the next day. ... Terry Labonte, who has never won on The Monster Mile, will try Sunday for the 50th time.