OT: Tony Stewart Hits, Kills Fellow Driver Confronting Him on the Track
Wow. Tragedy all around...
http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/11333895/tony-stewart-h…;
August 10th, 2014 at 9:45 AM ^
Thoughts and prayers for Kevin Ward's family
August 10th, 2014 at 9:50 AM ^
This is a horrible situation. Even angry at being wrecked why do you ever leave the car?....... Thoughts and prayers to Wards family.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:58 AM ^
what I said, why leave the car? hard to tell if it was intentional. but sad a young kid died!
August 10th, 2014 at 1:52 PM ^
Long time NASCAR fan and race attendee. Over the years it seems that after the Donnie Allison/Cale Yarborough fight at Daytona in the early 80's that the act of "confronting" another driver has increased following a racing incident:
Tony Stewart, among others, has participated in this sort of thing over the past few years. Below is his helmet bouncing off Matt Kenseth's car a couple years ago:
Here he is brawling with Joey Logano's crew (the incident was Logano's fault, actually, and sent a driver to hospital):
He's far from the only hothead in racing though. A few years back Robby Gordon got wrecked by Michael Waltrip he walked out on the track like in this regrettable incident and luckily avoided injury while making his point:
This sort of thing has been increasing at the top level in NASCAR and since the 2010 quote from Brian France (NASCAR's CEO) stating "boys, have at it" the return of more aggressive racing and aggression within the sport has been on the upswing. This NASCAR focus occured due to sliding ratings. Accordingly, what used to mostly be settled on the track is now, all too often, settled by whiny pushing and shoving between teams/drivers, ridiculous passive aggressive comments about "settling" a feud and, eventually, as above, in dangerous on-track behavior.
This sort of behavior and attitude and direction is, naturally, going to trickle down to smaller venues and circuits and particularly with high profie drivers like Tony Stewart competing. NASCAR needs to show leadership here and end drivers fighting etc. and leave it on the track. NFL football is aggressive as hell, draws ratings and nobody fights. NASCAR sells personalities but they need to keep the focus on the racing.
RIP Kevin Ward Jr.; far too young.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:15 PM ^
This sort of thing is hardly new or in the rise. As long as the had been racing, there has been confrontation. Is only natural. Look at AJ Foyt as a prime example.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:30 PM ^
Always thought AJ Foyt was a jerk. Met him, thought the same.
Aggression in the car is one thing. The most aggressive drivers of the past generation Rusty Wallace, Dale Earnhardt Senior, Ricky Rudd, The King before that weren't walking on tracks, throwing helmets, fighting crews etc.
They might have settled it in the garage but it wasn't for ratings, handled privately and not sanctioned by NASCAR.
August 10th, 2014 at 4:13 PM ^
It's even more common than that. Big names, little names, a lot of them come out to confront like that. The above post, while excellent and informative, actually undersells how frequently this occurs across all types of racing, and not just from jerks.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:51 AM ^
Unfortunately I've seen the video. Hard to say for certain if Stewart saw him or was careless trying to intimidate the driver for walking out to confront him.
Avoidable never the less and a tragedy.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:27 AM ^
fully expecting to see the driver walking in traffic while sprint cars whizzed by and then stepping in front of TS. However, that's not what I saw. Yes, Ward was on the track but cars were slowing down and giving him and his car wide berth...no problem. Then TS comes into the picture much closer to Ward, instead of moving toward the inside of the track Stewart instantly accelarated and got his car a bit sideways, thus striking Ward sending him flying. TS might not have meant to hit him, who knows, doesn't matter...I'm no lawyer but were I a juror, I would find him guilty of murder before the first round of coffee and introductions in the juror's room.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:35 AM ^
What idiot gets out of his car on a dimly lit track thus putting himself in grave danger? I feel sorry for Ward and his family and friends and they'll be in my prayers, but you've already found a man guilty by watching a video. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
August 10th, 2014 at 10:41 AM ^
was trying to win a Darwin Award, TS had a chance to avoid Ward and rather than do that, he gunned the engine causing the backend to strike Ward. This is no different than you coming upon a crosswalk and seeing a pedestrian crossing against his light, gunning your engine to intimidate him and loosing control of your vehicle thus striking him.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:47 AM ^
I am not saying Stewart did everything correct. But if you can't tell the difference between a crosswalk and a dirt race track at night for running around on thats a problem.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:37 AM ^
I'm by no means a sprint car expert but from what I have seen it doesn't look like you'd be able to make any effective last second corrections. The cars literally drift around turns due to the slick conditions. The only real argument is that maybe Stewart was going too fast and in that case he's on a race track. This is nothing more than a sad example of letting emotions put you in a dangerous situation.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^
He knew where the accident was because he caused it. He is also expected to have his car under control under caution. Driving too fast under caution is a major problem for NASCAR at a minimum.
August 10th, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^
But driving too fast under caution and murder are two very different offenses.
August 10th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
There are other lesser charges if they can't prove intent. Maybe he is proven by other video to be innocent. For his sake I hope there was no intent. What I'm saying is they have rules to keep your car under control under caution. You don't know who may be running out there to help the driver.
It was very stupid of Ward to be on the track going after him but it's not like it's never happened in a race befrore.
August 10th, 2014 at 7:10 PM ^
GoBLUInTX did
August 10th, 2014 at 11:39 AM ^
I hope you are never on a jury, GoBLUinTX. Ward walked almost into the middle of the track. Nobody has any idea what really happened there, but I am not seeing enough on that video to say that Tony Stewart intentionally killed Ward beyond a reasonable doubt. I am not even seeing enough to say that Stewart was negligent beyond a reasonable doubt.
In addition, we don't know if he could have pulled to the left without slamming into a slowed or stopped car. This death was unfortunate and unnecessary, but the only thing we can state with a reasonable degree of certainty is that if Ward had not walked down onto the track, he would be alive today.
Condolences to Ward's family and may he rest in peace. I hope the situation isn't compounded by ruining Tony Stewart's life unless there is factual evidence that proves his alleged guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
August 10th, 2014 at 12:31 PM ^
That Ward walked onto the track is one piece of evidence which will be evaluated by a prosecutor, but if Stewart acted in a manner to scare Ward by accelerating, which will cause a sprint car to turn, due to its having different size tires, Steward could be charged criminally.
I thnk there is no doubt that Steward didn't intend to hurt Ward, but if Stewart's actions were intended to scare or intimidate Ward, and the sprint car's tail went out further than Stewart intended and inadvertently hit Ward, then Stewart could well face criminal charges stemming from what could be construed as a criminal act.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
You have no way of knowing that he gunned the engine. You just think he did.
August 10th, 2014 at 12:23 PM ^
There are a lot of witness reports to that effect. Deadspin has collected a lot, for example. It seems clear he revved the engine as he was going by.
August 10th, 2014 at 12:31 PM ^
Those sprint cars don't turn on dirt the same way your car turns on ashphalt - those drivers actually have to accelerate during turns to force their car inside due to the low friction environment. Braking causes wobble and a skid towards the outer edge of the track.
It's extremely difficult to interpret the driver's intent based on the behavior of the vehicle. Perhaps Stewart only had a moment in time to actually spot Ward - what would he do? If he coolly stuck to his racing instincts, maybe he would gun the engine to turn left and avoid him. Maybe he panics and slams on his brakes, causing an outward skid.
As a juror, your self-assuredness would be a detriment to a fair and accurate trial.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^
Since no one here will be on any jury--if there was to ever be one--we are not bound by that juror obligation. In the everyday world, people will draw conclusions based on what they see and hear. That's okay--since, again, they aren't jurors.
I trust you never speculated on OJ's guilt or innocence.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^
But it looks to my like he's on a dirt track. I would question how well someone would be able to see. The driver was in an all black suit. I'm sure there had to be crap on Tonys wind shield. It's a damn tragedy for sure..
August 10th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^
TS gunning his engine and losing control?
August 10th, 2014 at 10:59 AM ^
His car. Don't want to walk on the kids grave but IMO I think you assume some culpability by getting out of your car at night in a dark suit while people are actively racing. I think you're assuming a lot by convicting Tony immediately.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:39 AM ^
Exactly. With the amount of cars on the track the "gunning of the engine" is likely from one of the cars out of frame and closer to the camera.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:45 AM ^
You did watch the video right?
August 10th, 2014 at 12:38 PM ^
gets out of trouble by accelerating; it is ingrained and instinctive. They are going too fast for the brakes to do anything other than cause problems. He was driving a sprint car, an overpowered car specifically designed and equipped to get sideways, and driving it on a race track, an environment where one does not typically encounter pedestrians. He was concerned at the same time with a wrecked vehicle that could roll down the bank at any time, and passing vehicles. You are trying to compare that to the driver of a passenger car on the street.
August 10th, 2014 at 2:22 PM ^
Losing control? You know he's one of the best race car drivers in the world right? Perry sure he didn't lose control. He likely just gunned the engine to keep his tired warm during the caution not knowing the guy was there. You're making a lot of assumptions and don't really sound like you know what you're taking about.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^
It's sad that the kid died but, he put himself in harms way. I saw the video and he all but runs in to Stewarts car. Could Stewart have avoided him? Probably but that is for the courts to decide. At best the only thing they will give him in involuntary manslaughter. What made me think about this was the fact Stewart was still planning to race the next day after running the kid over. That seemed evil.
August 10th, 2014 at 5:21 PM ^
Lolwut dude? You're a comedian.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:54 AM ^
The video is on YouTube. Not a pretty sight.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:47 AM ^
You could clearly hear him rev his engine immediately prior to hitting the kid. Having said that; Ward was being pretty careless in the way he's approaching oncoming cars on foot. Bad situation all around, but I think they both have/had some responsibility for what happened.
August 10th, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^
How could you definitively know that was his engine? The film was shot from across the track. It could have been any car on the track.
August 10th, 2014 at 4:44 PM ^
Because the dopplar effect is a real thing. And I have eyes and ears.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:55 AM ^
I think it is interesting how this is being reported. Stewart is known as a hot head. If not for this, I would think the focus of this coverage would be why would one get out of a car and take the risk of dodging cars on the track--unless of course your car was burning. It is truly a tragedy and unfortunately easily avoidable. I bet Stewart's demeanor on the track will be forever altered--either from guilt or worried about the perception that it was a purposeful act.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:01 AM ^
No one wants to be seen as blaming the dead guy. It is easier to put the blame on Stewart for hitting him than it is to talk about how Ward never should have left his car. Talking about Wards role is seen disrespectfull etc.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^
It doesn't seem to me that anyone here is having a problem noting Ward's role--whether disrespectful or not. There is no question that Ward did a stupid thing. But that is largely independent of whether Stewart did a negligent or willful thing. Someone standing in the middle of Woodward Avenue doesn't give drivers carte blanche to not attempt to avoid that person.
August 10th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
That was in response to osumcwolverine's thoughts on the coverage in the media of this incident. Not in respoinse to the discusion here on mgoblog. I don't think anyone has said that Stewart should have carte blanche to not try and avoid Ward. I think some people are jumping to a lot of conclusions based on scant evidence that Stewart was trying to intimidate Ward or intentionaly hit him.
August 10th, 2014 at 6:09 PM ^
I don't think that people are--by and large--jumping to conclusions---in fact less so than many subjects on this Board. It strikes me that most here are simply discussing their perceptions of the video and sharing other generally known info--like Stewart's reputation for confrontation. Both are fair game on a sport's site. I'm not sure what you expected when you clicked on the link. The fact that the person Ward was angry with is the one who hit him--after other drivers avoided him--is also noteworthy--though obviously just one piece of this tragedy.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:58 AM ^
R.I.P to to Ward and condolences to his family and loved ones. Regardless of the guy coming onto the track, a full investigation should be done to see if any negligence was involved on Stewart's part.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:59 AM ^
How is he able to drive today? You would also think he would want to skip the race and duck the press. Such an avoidable tragedy. Sad.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:52 AM ^
If they're smart, NASCAR will help him w/ the decision. Convince him or, if that fails, telling him he isn't driving.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:00 AM ^
I wonder what the aftermath of this will do to NASCAR in general. Prayers to the family of Kevin Ward, this is terrible.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:05 AM ^
if they have a telemetry recording from Stewarts car. If its determined he accelerated at or just before the point of contact he could be in big trouble. Not even sure something like that exists.
Can't believe he's even considering racing today.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:06 AM ^
Yeah, I'm not sure what happened there. Considering the time of day and condition of the track, there's a real chance Stewart didn't really see the driver until it was too late. Obviously a tragedy, but it seems unlikely that a guy would try to run over a competitor in that circumstance intentionally.
August 10th, 2014 at 10:11 AM ^
Why would a driver get out and walk around in the middle of a track, in the middle of a race? He continued to make his was directly onto the "field of play". I have no idea if Stewart had any mail a and intent, but it's just not intelligent to do that