Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident

[goinbroke2]

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.

[Joe Toller]

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...

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Joe Toller

However, Tony maybe oughtta give up the Sprint cars...

Why?

[Ed Wright]

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.

[Lou Jeffery]

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!

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Lou Jeffery

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!

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.

[Lou Jeffery]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

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.

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

[Rusty Davenport]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

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.

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.

[Brett C]

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.

[SSGT Mustang]

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.