Tony Stewart Incident

[Hovadipo 57,290]

At a sprint car race event last night, Tony Stewart caused a driver to go off the track. The wrecked driver (20 year old Kevin Ward) then left his car and began gesturing at Stewart as he drove by on the next caution lap. The rest is for you all to interperet. Stewart's car struck Ward and it was announced early this morning that Ward has died. There is video, but I'm not sure whether to post it or not, because it is truly awful to watch. Deadspin has the video on their site, as I am choosing not to post a link to it. Obviously, we don't know the intentions of Stewart, but the facts are that he and his car made contact with Ward, killing him. Bad, bad day for the racing world. Update: Stewart has announced that he will race at Watkins Glen today (WHAT?!), unclear if NASCAR will allow it. Here's a FOX Sports article for further reading: http://foxs.pt/1ucJMUR Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

[HoosierReb01 7,511]

I know some are blaming Stewart, but Ward should have never walked down onto the track. 

[ccgeneral 38,084]

Yeah, the kid should've stayed in his car or hit the sidelines. Meet Tony after the race.

[Hovadipo 57,290]

This one could get messy. Poorly lit track, the guy got out of his car, the unpredictability of sprint cars. I would expect charges to be pressed, but who knows what would happen at that point. In my mind, Stewart gets some blame, as does Ward.


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[HoosierReb01 7,511]

I wouldn't expect any charges. Ward should have stayed in his car or went over the wall. He put himself in jeopardy, and unfortunately, it cost him his life. Regardless of what Stewart or anyone else could have, or should not have done, the blame is squarely on Ward. The only reason to charge anyone, is if Stewart intentionally hit him, then its murder, or at least intentional manslaughter. I have not seen or heard anything that gives me any reason to think that there is any reason to believe there was intent. 

[Hovadipo 57,290]

[quote name="HoosierReb01" post="77334" timestamp="1407677426"]I wouldn't expect any charges. Ward should have stayed in his car or went over the wall. He put himself in jeopardy, and unfortunately, it cost him his life. Regardless of what Stewart or anyone else could have, or should not have done, the blame is squarely on Ward. The only reason to charge anyone, is if Stewart intentionally hit him, then its murder, or at least intentional manslaughter. I have not seen or heard anything that gives me any reason to think that there is any reason to believe there was intent. [/quote]

Stewart gunned it right when he got to where Ward was. That's open to speculation whether he was gunning it to avoid him, or throw some dirt at him, or any number of things, but that fact alone could really screw him. Totally agree that Ward wasn't too smart going onto the track AT Tony's car, but Stewart didn't seem to be trying to hit him, or avoid him. The revving of the engine won't help anything. And I hope Stewart doesn't say "well he was stupid for going on the track" because he has done exactly that countless times.


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[HoosierReb01 7,511]

Stewart gunned it right when he got to where Ward was. That's open to speculation whether he was gunning it to avoid him, or throw some dirt at him, or any number of things, but that fact alone could really screw him. Totally agree that Ward wasn't too smart going onto the track AT Tony's car, but Stewart didn't seem to be trying to hit him, or avoid him. The revving of the engine won't help anything. And I hope Stewart doesn't say "well he was stupid for going on the track" because he has done exactly that countless times.


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I don't follow racing much at all. Revving it was a warning? I don't know. You are right its open to speculation. Situations like that happen too fast, and its too easy to sit back and find fault (or lack of) afterwards. But I think that those who are blaming Stewart would find themselves hard pressed to make the after action judgments they are saying he should have made, if they had to make them in that couple of seconds. That's why I put the blame squarely on Ward, he made a bad decision, that led to the entire sequence of events. Yes, I doubt that Stewart says that, it would be a PR nightmare at this time, but its also true.

[Hovadipo 57,290]

[quote name="HoosierReb01" post="77337" timestamp="1407679324"]I don't follow racing much at all. Revving it was a warning? I don't know. You are right its open to speculation. Situations like that happen too fast, and its too easy to sit back and find fault (or lack of) afterwards. But I think that those who are blaming Stewart would find themselves hard pressed to make the after action judgments they are saying he should have made, if they had to make them in that couple of seconds. That's why I put the blame squarely on Ward, he made a bad decision, that led to the entire sequence of events. Yes, I doubt that Stewart says that, it would be a PR nightmare at this time, but its also true.[/quote]

Yeah this could break so many ways. The guy running out onto the track was obviously in the wrong, Stewart has a long history of being a hothead on the track, he revved the engine for whatever reason, and the kid died. Who knows what will happen.


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[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

I don't recommend watching the video. It is very high quality and very close up.

What a terrible incident.

Very odd that Stewart hit him... His fault for being out there, but everyone else avoided him just fine...




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[WayneFleekHoosier 48,969]

[quote name="Hovadipo" post="77339" timestamp="1407681608"]Yeah this could break so many ways. The guy running out onto the track was obviously in the wrong, Stewart has a long history of being a hothead on the track, he revved the engine for whatever reason, and the kid died. Who knows what will happen.

Looks like a series of bad decisions. Clearly Ward makes an idiotic decision that inevitably was fatal. Stewart however did not seem to try to avoid him at all and (even accelerated?). The car in front of Stewart clearly saw him and slowed and moved left. Stewart plowed thru. Did the car in front slowing distract his vision? Man, what a terrible ordeal. Lots of questions IMO. But if ward stays in his car, all ends well.

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[Hovadipo 57,290]

Yeah and the problem is, Stewart made getting out of the car and going off on people popular. He's been doing that for years.


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[bronkonagurski 894]

Not only does the kid get out of his car but he walks almost dead center into the middle of the track.  That is insanely dangerous.  I did watch the video and maybe I don't follow racing enough (barely watch it at all) but I couldn't really tell if Tony gunned his engine or not (although I've seen that stated here and elsewhere).  Tony's liability here will be based on whether or not he intentionally gunned it to scare the kid or throw dirt on him or whatever.  I don't know how you prove that though.  If it could be proven, then I reckon it qualifies as reckless behavior and some kind of charge could be made.  But I definitely don't think he intended to hit the kid.  My initial impression is this is just a horrible accident.  Might end up facing a civil suit though.

 

I'm glad he isn't racing today, I don't think that would have been a good look at all. 

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

[quote name="bronkonagurski" post="77349" timestamp="1407685851"]Not only does the kid get out of his car but he walks almost dead center into the middle of the track. That is insanely dangerous. I did watch the video and maybe I don't follow racing enough (barely watch it at all) but I couldn't really tell if Tony gunned his engine or not (although I've seen that stated here and elsewhere). Tony's liability here will be based on whether or not he intentionally gunned it to scare the kid or throw dirt on him or whatever. I don't know how you prove that though. If it could be proven, then I reckon it qualifies as reckless behavior and some kind of charge could be made. But I definitely don't think he intended to hit the kid. My initial impression is this is just a horrible accident. Might end up facing a civil suit though.

I'm glad he isn't racing today, I don't think that would have been a good look at all. [/quote] Unfortunately, he decided not to race after he had already declared he was racing. Makes it seem as though someone with sense told him not to.


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[Hovadipo 57,290]

[quote name="jurkinonthecourt" post="77351" timestamp="1407686593"]Unfortunately, he decided not to race after he had already declared he was racing. Makes it seem as though someone with sense told him not to.


Sent from my place of advanced, analytical thinking: the toilet.[/quote]

Yeah either that or he finally made the right decision. No matter where the decision came from, it was a good one.


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[Parakeet Jones 3,812]

I saw the video, and I have no idea what to think.  Obviously the kid shouldn't have been where he was.  I couldn't tell if Smoke gunned it or what evasive measures he took.  

 

One of the reasons this is such a big deal (outside of the fact that a life was lost) is the driver involved.  Stewart has a reputation for being a hot head.  I have always been a Stewart fan, but his actions over the years are going to open him up to a lot more questions here than some other drivers would have to face.  

[BlueDevil 8,863]

I'm just having a hard time calling this an accident. Sure the guy shouldn't have been in the middle of the track so this is pretty much on him. I'm just having a hard time getting past the party that Tony revved his engine when the guy before Tony just moved to the side to avoid him. To me the engine rev was unnecessary and leads me to believe Tony made a pulse decision mistake out of anger. This is just my opinion and hope no one is offended because in the bigger picture a life was lost last night accident or not.

[Dalton26 16,892]

I can't speak for what Tony was thinking but in my opinion at the end of the day it's the kids own fault. When you get out of your car on a track like that you're putting your life in danger. It's sad regardless but I don't think Tony will get charged.


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[coachmayhew 1,414]

This is a topic where I will not post my opinion, 2 many were in the wrong and nothing ended right.

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[Andrew_114 105]

Just throwing this out there because I do have some knowledge on racing. Anyways, revving the engine or speeding up would throw the back end to the left therefore trying I avoid the young man. It's the way the sprints take turns. Just to let you guys know


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[mamasa 15,464]

Having known Tony since middle school, I can truly say that I don't believe for a second that this was intentional. He's a hot-head, absolutely. But, he also has one of the biggest hearts you can imagine. I'm not a fan of him, just due to not having liked him in school. But, he has a side that few get to see. He is incredibly gracious to fans when he comes home (even the ones that were jerks to him in the past, but now act like they were best friends). Having discussed this with many local people who know him well, he's absolutely beside himself with grief. And, Tony is a smart driver- he knows how to handle a car on dirt better than most. I obviously don't know the 100% facts, but wanted to provide some insight from someone who knows him, but isn't biased.<br /><br /><br />Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app