Competitor Dies- Ontrack Incident W/ Tony Stewart

[Sam]

Guys, this is serious.

 

I know there is a lot of emotion in sports car racing but this is a little over the edge.

 

http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2014-08-10/tony-stewart-sprint-car-hits-driver-fight-incident-trouble-investigation-new-york-watkins-glen-kevin-ward

 

 

[nascar2428]

Since this wasn't a racing accident. I would suspect that charges will be filed against Tony. 

[Catch and Grease]

He didn't do anything on purpose. Kevin like all angry NASCAR drivers walked out into on coming traffic pointing and taunting and he tragically got hit.

He was wearing black and it was dark outside and he is walking in front of fast moving trucks? But no it's not his fault he got hit!

Tony stewart is not a murderer.

But all of that aside this is tragic whether or not it was an accident and my prayers go to Kevin's family.

[Catch and Grease]

Since this wasn't a racing accident. I would suspect that charges will be filed against Tony.

And how was this not a racing accident? It happened during a race?

[ThatZX14Fella]

He didn't do anything on purpose. The idiot like all angry NASCAR drivers walked out into on coming traffic pointing and taunting and he tragically got hit.

He was wearing black and it was dark outside and he is walking in front of fast moving trucks? But no it's not his fault he got hit!

Tony stewart is not a murderer.

But all of that aside this is tragic whether or not it was an accident and my prayers go to Kevin's family.

 

The article said that Stewart seen the driver and hit the throttle to show his displeasure as he went around the competitor and the rear end snapped around and caught the competitor. Sure, the other driver was ignorant for walking out in front of vehicles, but Stewart also shouldn't have hit the throttle like he did. If I recall, it said it was a dirt track also. That means Stewart should've known that the rear end would break loose if he hit the throttle. It was both of their faults.

[Catch and Grease]

Idk if the hitting the throttle part is true and you don't ethier, and even if it is he may have been reacting to seeing a man at the last second trying to swerve.

[Lund Explorer]

After reading the article and then seeing the actual video of the supposed "killing", it becomes apparent that the headlines should read:

 

Driver gets mad, dies when he charges in front of traffic!

[Catch and Grease]

After reading the article and then seeing the actual video of the supposed "killing", it becomes apparent that the headlines should read:

Driver gets mad, dies when he charges in front of traffic!

Exactly, but NASCAR knows its fans love drama so it won't give someone a penalty for running out in the road to taunt someone.

[clayton86]

I had several friends there spectating and also in that very race.

Tony is obviously experienced and knows what he's doing. Granted the kid should not have gotten out of his vehicle but Stewart knew very well what he was about to do and how the car would react when he got into the throttle in a sprint car next to that guy.

[Hi Salenity]

After reading the article and then seeing the actual video of the supposed "killing", it becomes apparent that the headlines should read:

 

Driver gets mad, dies when he charges in front of traffic!

x2

[BrianinMD]

Watching the reports and what Tony said afterwards it seems to be a little more to it. He admitted hitting the gas to show his displeasure, so he saw that guy on the track, wearing black on a dimly lit track had no bearing on it. It is never a smart idea to get out of the car to approach the other cars, but it happens all the time and Tony has done it multiple times himself. It concerns me that his response to seeing the other driver was to run close to him and gun the motor. You have to be smarter than that.

[clayton86]

Watching the reports and what Tony said afterwards it seems to be a little more to it. He admitted hitting the gas to show his displeasure, so he saw that guy on the track, wearing black on a dimly lit track had no bearing on it. It is never a smart idea to get out of the car to approach the other cars, but it happens all the time and Tony has done it multiple times himself. It concerns me that his response to seeing the other driver was to run close to him and gun the motor. You have to be smarter than that.

Exactly and Stewart is a seasoned driver he knew what he was doing and what he did. Do I think anything will come from it like jail time I doubt it I'm sure he will be racing the glen next week as well

[Catch and Grease]

Do y'all think he deserves jail time, Do yall think he committed a crime?

What's your opinion on that

[F14A-B]

The Title and theme of this? The language is Inappropriate, let the investagation move fwd. then see where and if it's proven.

[preach4bass]

I watched the video several times, and it appears to me that Tony gunned his engine, and broke his car sideways to "intimidate" his competitor.  He probably didn't mean to hit him, and certainly didn't mean to kill him.  But, if Tony would have done the right thing, and avoided the man walking on the track, the man would still be alive.

[F14A-B]

Seems like the Titled post was changed from...".Murderer " to "Killed" .... that's more the truth... Idk.. Where this will go..

[Mr_Scrogg]

Que Stewart haters calling for his head, Stewart Supportors saying it wasnt malicious.

Seems to me that the police will do their job.

[nascar2428]

Exactly and Stewart is a seasoned driver he knew what he was doing and what he did. Do I think anything will come from it like jail time I doubt it I'm sure he will be racing the glen next week as well

As of right now, Tony is scheduled to race today. His team manager has stated it is business as usual. Really!! How can Tony possibly be in a right state of mind after this situation. . 

[BrianinMD]

It just got updated that he will not race today. I have no prediction whether he will be charged or not but purposefully gunning  your engine to intimidate the other person resulted in their death. He can easily be charged, its not murder but it can be manslaughter.

[deaknh03]

Manslaughter..could have avoided him.

[F14A-B]

It could, I have not seen any evidence, acceleration on a race track is not illegal in racing, as far as a horrific accident? ..more likely.. A driver jumped out of his vehicle, and was struck by the driver he is in a battle with? 2 folks involved in this, one died the other struck him, just have to wait on the investigation.... It already sounds like his legal team says Do not race, so after blabbing he withdrew... Shows the character of TS, I don't think much of him personally , but he is entitled to a fair investigation and or trial.

[Catch and Grease]

It just got updated that he will not race today. I have no prediction whether he will be charged or not but purposefully gunning your engine to intimidate the other person resulted in their death. He can easily be charged, its not murder but it can be manslaughter.

Or you can say him getting out his car and walking in front of TS caused his death. I'm just gonna say everyone is innocent until proven guilty and I'm not gonna accuse someone of murder/manslaughter without knowing the facts.

[SirSnookalot]

I didn't think the video was conclusive in showing any sort of intent, that's my opinion which doesn't mean a thing.  I'm sure the DA has seen the video umteen times, talked to some of the eyewitnesses and been in contact with Stewart's attorney, it's all up to the D.A. at this point.

[sofarfrome]

To those of you that think Stewart should be charged with a crime. If someone stepped out in front of you while driving down main street in your home town and you hit and killed said person, do you think you should be charged with a crime? Anyone that says he "hit the gas" to hit Ward are wrong. I have watched a couple of different videos at least 20x each and in neither is there any evidence he accelerated. His car did take a turn to the right but this is due to the laws of physics. If a 1400 lb car (the minimum a sprint car can weigh in this class) hits a 175 lb object on its RH side the car will naturally move to the right. There is NO evidence of a crime here.

 

Not that it means anything but Canandaigua is where I live. I could hear the racing last night from my front porch. I live about 1 mile from the track as the crow flies. At about 10:30 everything stopped. I did not know why it ended. Unfortunately for Ward and his family it ended as it did. My thoughts are with them and Stewart as I believe that in NO way was this intentional.

[00 mod]

As a former dirt track racer ( 00 mod actually stands for my car number and class (IMCA) International Modified Car Association) this is a very sad accident that will put a black eye on the entire sport of racing but more specifically dirt track racing. I have seen the video several times. It is sickening to watch, leaves you feeling like you just got hit in the stomach, but unfortunately it happened and cannot be undone. Is Tony at fault: Yes. Everyone is responsible for their own actions. Is Kevin at fault: Yes. See above. Should/Will charges be brought? That remains to be seen, and should not be a matter of opinion here. None of us were there and all we know is what we read and see on the video. Certainly what will come of this is the tragic loss of a life (20 yrs old) and probably a lawsuit.

What we should be doing is keeping everyone involved and everyone there in our thoughts and prayers.

Now for my opinion: I have been around dirt track racing for over 20 yrs, admittedly not so much in the last 6. Tony Stewart is an absolute die hard racer and fan, as evidence of his continuation of racing dirt track(where he came from) every week and a lot of times on the same weekends of his NASCAR races. He even owns one of the most famous dirt tracks in the world. Do I think he did this on purpose? Of course not. Does he have a notably hot temper, of course, but to purposely run over another competitor is simply not something he would do. I got to know Tony when he hired one of my friends to drive for his dirt team in 2007. He is a fierce competitor who loves the sport of racing. He wants nothing bad to happen and put a blemish on the sport he loves.

After watching the video several times, here is what I gather. Tony and Kevin were battling pretty hard. Tony pinched Kevin, which is part of racing, and Kevin never lifted, putting him into the wall. It happens..... Kevin was understandably upset and immediately climbed out of his car to go down into the groove to confront Tony. Not a smart move, but it happens a lot more than it should. This is almost common in dirt track racing, even though before every race, the race marshall warns to never do it. 99% of the time the driver shows a finger, throws something at the moving car, or just throws his arms up in disgust etc., and no physical contact is ever made. I have seen contact happen twice while at a track, but nothing ever this serious. I appears as Tony hit the gas in an attempt to get away from Kevin, which was not smart, and could have been an intimidation attempt, but it backfired. These cars have huge right rear tires and normally have a ton of grip, which should have pushed the car in the direction the wheel was pointed. It appears Tony hit the gas too hard, spinning the tires instead of hooking up and the car slide up the track and into Kevin. Now here is the thing, Tony should have never hit the gas, BUT Kevin should have never been that close to a moving car.

An investigation is ongoing, and something may come of this, but in the mean time, we need to keep all of the allegations and opinions to just opinions and instead of name calling and blame throwing, throw some thoughts and prayers to everyone involved!

Jeff