Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Just my thoughts on what I see in the video. Stewart is a great race car driver and has many accomplishments in racing. However I see no concerted effort from him to avoid contact with Kevin Ward. Its a sad day in racing. RIP Kevin Ward III

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

For whatever reason I believe he just never saw him until it was too late. I find it hard to believe he would have hit him on purpose. I hate this for everyone involved but it was a poor choice for the young man to get out of his car and go out in traffic the way he did.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Its a natural instinct to avoid someone or something that you see in your path. it was a total accident I'm sure, Thoughts and Prayers to Kevins family and anyone else involved.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Horrible tragedy, totally preventable. I've seen it many times, guys get out and throw their helmet at the guy who put them out or point fingers etc. Why didn't Tony see him? Who knows, probably looking at the car against the wall then saw something in his periferial view and looked back to the track, twisted the wheel but was too late.

Hate seeing stuff like that happen, 17, full of testosterone, jumping out and yelling at a Champion like that? He almost got hit by the two cars before Tony. Maybe he thought he'd make him stop and stare him down? Who knows, but it was a fail on his part.

Nobody, I mean, NOBODY would purposely hit a driver with their car like that, especially a professional driver who does it for a living.

Just bad all around.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Unless it's on fire, you stay in your damn car after a wreck until safety crews arrive. It's beat into your head at every dirt track, asphalt track, hell even demolition derby drivers meeting. It's a tragedy, no doubt, but a very avoidable one. Whether he was trying to make a name for himself, or just full of testosterone like we all were at that age, he broke safety rule number one, and it cost him the ultimate price. My thoughts are with his family, as well as Tony, and I pray the folks out there that say Tony did it on purpose (really?), or swear he should never drive again find some peace and relax. However, Tony maybe oughtta give up the Sprint cars...

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

I totally believe that TS DID NOT intentionally mean to hit Kevin. But I am stating that I think he saw him on the track and did not do everything he could to avoid hitting Kevin. You all know how experienced TS is on the racetrack. Giving the car gas as he is passing Kevin? I still do not understand that.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Troy do some research and how you steer a sprint car and look at some pictures of views they have from inside the car, then add in dark track, a driver in a dark suit. The first driver looked like he may have just missed him or even clipped him.

RIP Kevin

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

I watched the video several times. I don't think he gassed it. Car in front of Tony jerked wheel to avoid him. Cars were in the turn and would have made it hard to see until you were right on top of him. Kid was pissed and jumped in the way trying to get Tonys attention. Cars were all at same "pace" speed. Last minute Tony tried to avoid him is what it looked like to me. Not the best lights from the video, and black firesuit and black helmet. Emergency crew was not to the car yet.
We all make mistakes, and this one was terrible for a young racer, his family and for TS and everyone else involved. Bad for motorsports in general.
Prayers to all involved.

Ken

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

I admit I have never driven a sprint car..... but I do know when you press the gas pedal with the horsepower those cars have, the rearend is going to kick to the right side not the left.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Why?

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

its actually opposite, it should turn left but will go into a controlled slide. Either way sucks for both tony and kevin.

One thing i do not agree with is the way the media is treating this, if joe schmo ran the poor guy over you would probably not even know

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

If there was ever an example of what a top fueler would be like on dirt and going in a circle, these 410 inch sprint cars would be it. They are a breathtaking display of violent machinery that even when under expert control, are out of control. If you’ve never witnessed them live and up close, you haven’t lived.

Too bad this kid got killed, but it appears he was quite a hot head lacking basic common sense. To think this was anything but an accident would be moronic. Even when idling around during a yellow, it is organized chaos. And that's with a fresh tear-off.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

tony stewart is a VERY ignorant hot head. He has proved his stupidity time and time again. I still do not shop at Home Depot because of his STUPID outbursts. What a shame a young man was murdered by a hot head punk bully. Shame on the LITTLE man tony stewart. :(

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

does that excuse the ignorance of walking in a black firesuit at night on a "live" race track acting like it is WWF instead of racing ??? Leave the drama off the track please, stay in the car you stand a better chance of living.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Murder, lol , talk about stupid outbursts. This kid is known for running onto the track, what happen between him and stewart was a racing incident and he should have just sucked it up. Instead now everyone thinks tony is a bully.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Tony most likely was looking at the track works(emergency vehicles) coming from the left and not expecting the young man to jump in front of him.


my 2 cents

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

suicide not murder!! its the kids fault, it is a sad out come for sure.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

I have driven a sprint car before, granted it was only 25 laps in someone else's car and those throttles are so touchy , but getting back to the crash, I have watched the video a bunch, remember these cars have no radio's from spotter to driver, Tony didn't know why the yellow came out as if you watched the video he really never hit him ran him up high, but when Kevin got out of the car, you will look, tony is running right behind the blue and white car in front of him, and the blue and white car swerved to miss from hitting Kevin standing out there and I honestly don't think Tony was paying attention except for following the car in front of him and swerved at the last second when he finally seen him and the wide back tire and bar that is in front of back tire to the frame got him. Bad deal plan and simple, feel bad for both parties but Tony shouldn't get anything out it law wise. Just my feelings.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

People that know nothing about those cars make some of these idiotic statements. I took a break from drag racing from 1980 through 1990 to race one of those things. I hired a driver.
If you have not worn one of those helmets with several tear-offs on the visor, and lights shining at you from the outside of the track, and see a driver dumb enough to wear a black fire suit at a night race, next to a black car, that is asking to get your tail run over. The driver's vision is not that great under those conditions. Those cars do not mauever like a car on pavement with a differential. They will not stop on a dime, on dirt. The brakes are configured to "set" the car on entry when running the bottom, not stop it suddenly.

That kid was dumb enough to get out of the car and throw a tantrum like a two year old, stepping in front of a car going about 40 MPH, instead of acting like a man and going to talk to Stewart after the race. Well, I'm sorry, but he asked for it. It is really sad that he died from his idiotic antics. No rational person is going to think that even Tony Stewart would run over somebody on purpose.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

I believe tony stewart DID NOT go to the race track with intentions of killing anyone. However he DID lose control of himself and in the course of his actions he killed a young man. Search tony stewart on youtube and you will see how level headed and what a sportsman he is. Have a wonderful day!:mad:

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

well said Ed.....and don't think that Tony will not have to pay for the young mans carelessness regardless of who's fault it is.....there are lawyers that cant wait to get a shot at this because Tony is already guilty by the unknowing public.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

I am deeply disappointed in our drag racing community to be passing judgment while loosing site of the tragedy! Come on people! GOD be with the Ward family and friends, also look over Tony Stewart. A tragic accident, nothing more.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

I don't think that this was an accident at all. The kid got out of his car...during a race...to confront someone who was still driving...and got run over. That's not an accident.

If he had spun and stayed belted until the safety crew arrived, and got hit by another car that was still racing...then, yes, that would have more than likely been an accident. But, that's not how it went down.

It's almost like a road rage deal. If you get out of your car to confront someone because they pissed you off, then you had better be prepared to pay any consequences...including getting run over.

The tragedy as far as I'm concerned is that the kid died needlessly by his own doing, and his family is no doubt devastated.

What's also tragic is the way the media is eagerly coming forward to portray racing as almost a public menace. I heard one idiot commenting about how dangerous it is and "how fast cars are allowed to go." Are you kidding?

You just watch. The politicians are next. Laws will be passed, and lawsuits will be filed. Racing will either become a thing of the past, or destroyed by silly rules and regulations that will take the sport out of it. Or worse yet, it will become too expensive because the easy lawsuits will make it too risky for tracks to host races or drivers compete in them.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

X's 1000. I sent a comment to all of Fox News about this in almost the same wording. The reason Ward died is 100% his own fault. These news people don't know their azz from a hole in the ground.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

This is what happens when you let your temper override common sense. Most who have done it at one time or another got away with it. Unfortunately this kid is one of the few who did not. I feel bad for everyone involved. But ever since the first helmet was thrown on national TV at a race many years ago. Everyone from the peons to the pros wants to get out of the car and act like their a bad *** standing on the track while the cars go around under caution. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Hopefully some other driver learns a lesson from all this.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Lou Jeffery you an idiot making statements like that.You should not be allowed on these pages.,Dwight Allen

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

And THAT is the money line! Throw the helmet at the car, point at them and give them the finger, kick the car as it goes by, I saw a stockcar (local track) get stopped as the guy was blocking him, jumping back and forth so he couldn't get by, then put the boots to the car until the guy took off again.

I can see him being pissed, possibly extra anger for the "nascar star" that stopped at their local track thinking he will clean up on the "local yokals". Jumping out of the car was stupid and he might of done it a hundred times, but this time bit him. I'll bet the next drivers meeting they stress not to get out of your car if your not on fire!

It was an accident, pure and simple, totally avoidable, but not Stewarts fault.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

x2!

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Mr. Allen, you call ME an idiot with your grammar?
I stand by my comments and use my name. You can hate me, your life and anything else you choose,:confused:it does not change the facts that tony stewart is a BIG JERK! The only person tony stewart needs to answer to is himself. Crying and paying LOTS of money does not bring back this young man.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Some want to talk about Stewart's history of being a hot head, I don't really know what Stewart would be so angry about anyway.

The kid just screwed up. Some fool on facebook called Stewart a coward for not stopping in front of that kid and getting out to fight him. Really? Probably an 18 year old posted that one.

Anybody thinking Stewart could have stopped that car that fast simply knows nothing about those cars. I have not heard from anybody that knows those cars blame Stewart. Just the arm chair experts.

Do I think Stewart is an azz? Yes, I do. At aWorld of Outlaws race here in Tulsa, he was standing on the ramp door of a race car trailer when about a ten year old boy asked him for his autograph, he told the kid to leave him alone. He does seem to be a prick. Would he intentionally run over somebody? Get real.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Honestly, outside of the car being on fire, I don't care about your ego, your adrenaline rush or whatever you have to prove, YOU DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR WHILE THE RACE IS ON---PERIOD. Save the show and face to face when the race is over and everything is parked. Unfortunatly , a young man lost his life because he did not think before he acted. What would have happened had everybody missed him but caused a pile up and somebody else got seriously hurt or killed. Should be a rule----DRIVER GETS OUT OF CAR ON TRACK WHILE THE RACE IS ON---PULL HIS COMPETITION LICENSE FOR A YEAR. Give him plenty of time to think about how to handle himself and not put himself or other drivers in unneccessary danger.

My deepest condolences to all the family and friends of Kevin Ward.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Great article:http://motorsports-soapbox.blogspot....-media-at.html

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Exactly what did Tony Stewart do?

I'll tell you what Tony Stewart did. Exactly what every other driver under caution that night did.

The driver of the car in front of Tony said, for the record, that he only saw Kevin Ward at the last instant. Kevin Ward's own friend, who was 4 cars behind Tony Stewart, said that Kevin got out of his car and went toward Stewart, and that his timing in doing so was bad, and unsafe. Notice that he never said a single word about Tony Stewart doing anything wrong.

You have pretty much accused Tony Stewart of voluntary manslaughter, without a shred of verifiable evidence, or for that matter, any evidence at all, other than your own personal opinion about Tony Stewart's temper.

You are entitled to your opinion. But don't expect anyone with any common sense or knowledge about racing to have the slightest bit of respect for your opinion.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Honestly I dont blame the kid for being mad,angry or otherwise. Would you be mad as a wet hornet if some NASCAR star came to your local track ruffed you up and wrecked possibly your one and only race car that you probably worked pretty hard and spent money on to race? I honestly doubt the guy could have even gotten close to Stewart to voice his displeasure after the race with Stewarts crew people and security and whoever else there and probably figured that would be the only way he could voice his displeasure and to me this is the same assomebody burning you down on the starting line and blowing your engine up(before the whole 7 sec staging rule or whatever) and you being mad about it. Im not sure about wearing black firesuit and such ive always tried to wear brighter colored firesuits in chase something was wrong on the top end and had to exit the car so the track crew could see me and otherwise this is a part of racing pretty much an accident nothing more nothing less but a very tragic accident at that. RIP Kevin Ward A FELLOW RACER

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

:rolleyes:Exactly what did tony stewart do? Tony stewart killed a fellow competitor.

If tony stewart did EXACTLY what every other driver did under caution KEVIN WARD would be alive.

Why you do not respect other persons comments is on you and I feel sorry for you. Not for me but your family and friends, PLEASE work on YOUR anger issues. Thank you Louis Jeffery

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

From all appearances, Kevin Ward ran into race traffic because he lost his temper. Tony followed the car in front of him around under caution, the car in front of him was able to avoid Ward, Ward stepped further toward the 14, and lost his life.

I could respect your opinion, if it were based on anything other than "OMG, google Tony Stewart, he loses his temper", which, for all the world sounds like the emotional outburst of a teenage girl. Based on that, and nothing else, you accuse Tony Stewart of voluntary manslaughter, at the very least. You want your opinion to garner some respect? Base it on the facts of the event itself.

Anger? :rolleyes:

I neither need nor want the sympathy of you or anyone like you. Have a nice rest of your life.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

I haven't seen any video yet showing contact between the two cars. Ward tried to pass Stewart on the high side in the turn and when his left front was about even with Stewart's right rear, Ward's car spun and stopped. The right rear wheel was visibly buckled and the tire was flat. Both are indications that Ward got into the cushion and that's what spun his car. Stewart's only contribution to the accident was that he was in front of Ward - and he probably wasn't even aware that Ward was there or that Ward wrecked since Stewart was focussed on catching and passing the leader, who was a few car lengths ahead of Stewart..

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

I'd say that is the likely outcome of any civil case, when you've got video out there of Tony previously speaking of another driver saying "I'm going to run over him every chance I got".

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

Spot on. My cousin has raced CRA/USAC sprints for 20 years... 360 unwinged sprints, 360 wing, and 410 WOO.....They naturally turn left....slam the throttle, and turn the wheel right as you're going into the corners, and they'll instantly go into oversteer....they are unstable while "idling" around the track. I saw Tony Stewart doing exactly what he was supposed to do.....stay with the pace. KW allowed his emotions to get ahead of sound judgement which ended up in a very tragic, sad ending.

Re: Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident
 

I have yet to see a person experienced with a dirt sprint car blame Stewart. Only the arm chair experts.