Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward / Sprint car accident

[Andys dad]

I will just say - how many of you have ever driven a direct drive car with no flywheel or clutch or starter?

Wise up - you can not put the clutch in and roll to a stop - you have to shut it off - One thing some of the local friends like is they get to be push cars.

During a yellow they are probably still going 50 mph.

TS could not see him because the car in front of him nearly hit him.

He gassed it to spin away from him - watch the video and look at where TS front tires are pointed

Don't get out of your car until the safety crew gets there - especially in a sprint car race where THEY DO NOT STOP the cars unless there is a terrible accident - this was not a terrible accident until the idiot got killed.

Ron

[mtkawboy]

I saw a video that has since been removed that looked like Tony's wing may have hit the kid before the tire did

[mtkawboy]

found it, your opinions may vary but it looks to me like the wing caught him and then he went under the tire. Either way its a terrible thing to see

[69Cobra]

I hate to see this happen at all but in my opinion you can't blame this on TS!

[Troy Pourciau]

Originally Posted by 69Cobra

I hate to see this happen at all but in my opinion you can't blame this on TS!

Kris, TS is most def somewhat at fault, just like Kevin was. Unfortunately Mr. Ward cannot tell his side of the story. And Tony's side of the story has not been disclosed yet for some reason. I do respect Stewart and do not dislike him. But he was driving a vehicle that struck and killed a human being. I'm stating the same as you, just my opinion.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Troy Pourciau

Kris, TS is most def somewhat at fault, just like Kevin was. Unfortunately Mr. Ward cannot tell his side of the story. And Tony's side of the story has not been disclosed yet for some reason. I do respect Stewart and do not dislike him. But he was driving a vehicle that struck and killed a human being. I'm stating the same as you, just my opinion.

I'm not singling you out here Troy, but I'm seriously looking for all of this evidence people are using to form these opinions that Tony Stewart actually did anything out of the ordinary at all. I keep hearing about how it is Tony Stewart's fault, and I keep looking at the video, and looking at what the drivers closest to the actual accident have said, and I can't see what Tony Stewart did that makes this his fault.

How is it that you personally know Tony is at fault? Do you know for a fact that Tony intentionally did something outside of the normal procedure of driving one of those cars under caution that lead directly to the accident?

Because I have yet to see anyone produce any factual evidence that Tony did anything other that drive a sprint car under caution just like the guy in front of him, in the 45 car, who almost hit Kevin Ward before Tony Stewart got there, and then after the 45 car swerved to miss him, Kevin Ward continued down into Tony's path.

For all the opinion and conjecture being bandied about, I haven't seen any factual evidence. I'd really like to see all this factual evidence people saying Tony Stewart is at fault are using to base their opinions on.

Tony Stewart's side of the story hasn't been told "for some reason"? Are you serious? Tony Stewart's side of the story has pretty much been stated, repeatedly. The sheriff who has been investigating the accident has stated Tony Stewart's side of the story plainly, in at least 2 or 3 press conferences. And because the investigation is still open, you can bet the sheriff and the D.A. in that county have told Tony not to say anything. Not to mention the fact that, as this thread clearly shows, it does not matter what Tony Stewart says, he's already being crucified by any number of people and the media. Odds are, Tony Stewart's sponsors, partners, and all their lawyers have also told him not to say a word, since there are lawyers lining up to try to get a piece of the possible civil action. The only thing Tony Stewart himself can do is keep his mouth shut about it.

People need to realize that they are accusing Tony Stewart of knowingly and willingly doing something wrong resulting in the death of Kevin Ward. Voluntary manslaughter is a very serious accusation.

People are pretty much convicting Tony Stewart without due process, for the most part simply because Tony Stewart has thrown a helmet at another driver, pointed a finger at another driver, or made statements in the heat of the moment, that are just like any other fierce competitor in many sports. And not one of those things is even remotely approaching willingly and knowingly even risking striking someone with a vehicle.

Like several others have said, if the guy in the 45 car had hit Kevin Ward, it would be last week's news already, it would have been a story Sunday morning, never been seen again. It's news not because of anything Tony Stewart actually did, it's news simply because he is Tony Stewart.

[Troy Pourciau]

Alan, You state a lot of good points. I am not saying TS is 100% at fault here. What I was saying to Kris, is that he is somewhat responsible, with what happened just as well as Kevin. (stating the obvious here). So with that said. There are many questions that have to be answered.


n a media briefing this afternoon, Ontario County (N.Y.) Sheriff Philip Povero said that the investigation into Saturday’s fatal sprint car crash that involved NASCAR driver Tony Stewart and killed Kevin Ward Jr. may continue for at least two more weeks.

[Bernie Cunningham]

Alan R,
You have nailed it perfect at this time. If a video or a still shows up with the kid slipping on the wet track into Tony's car it will change the opinions again.
The video is on one axis, if there's one from 90 degrees from there we might learn a bunch. The latest says he contacted the wing first which would unbalance him to fall.

I believe at this point that Tony goosed it in an attempt to clear him as the fellow was coming into his cars space and surprised the heck out of him. He probably had limited visibility from following the car in front of him under caution, then he see's that racer make an evasive move and has no idea it's because a person is heading his way on the track!.

Tony could have been looking in a completely different direction at the time, like his head is down or sideways checking setup and gauges, we will never find out about that.
I hope Tony takes the rest of the year off to regroup and protect his many interests in motorsports and marketing. He's good for the sport.

Whatever happens in the future, nothing good will come out of this except that the rule to stay in ya car until safety workers have secured the scene, pending fire, makes really good sense and will be enforced, here on out.
Also, take your bravado back to the pits and attempt to settle it there instead of playing a drama queen. Honestly, what are you going to prove with the on-track grievance apart from the show boating to ya local fans. Young and dumb I suppose.

RIP, Kevin Ward Jr., another senseless waste of a human life, condolences to the combined Ward family on your lose of a loved one.

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Didn't NHRA penalize a Top Fuel driver with a fine when he walked on the track after his run while they were cleaning up or removing the cars? Whatever the outcome is, it will always be a sad incident for all involved and their families, is it at all possible he was somewhat dazed after the crash when walking on the track?

[Bob Don]

Originally Posted by Bobby DiDomenico

is it at all possible he was somewhat dazed after the crash when walking on the track?

I doubt he was dazed by the way he was gesturing and pointing. I think he knew exactly what he was doing (too bad it was the wrong thing and ultimately proved fatal).