Tony Stewart Kills Driver In Tragic Collision, As NASCAR Reels And Police Investigate

www.forbes.com ^ | 8/10/2014 | Dan Diamond

[CaptainK]

NASCAR star Tony Stewart hit and killed another driver who was walking on the track in a sprint car race on Saturday night.

The other driver, Kevin Ward Jr., had collided with Stewart on the previous lap, leaving Ward’s car with a flat tire and pushed into the wall. As officials threw a caution, Ward left his car and began walking down the track — gesturing angrily toward Stewart — before being clipped and dragged 50 feet by Stewart’s car.

Several spectators told Bob Pockrass of The Sporting News that Stewart appeared to throttle his car before colliding with Ward.

[Gene Eric]

>> Throttle steering only applies when the car is near the limit

I gather you’ve never spun a standing vehicle.

[Smokin' Joe]

Turn right and step on the gas to swing the rear of the car to the left. Those cars spend most of their racing time in full oversteer (wheels turned the wrong way for the direction they are turning--basically a controlled power slide, turning in the direction of the throttle induced skid).

If Stewart was going to avoid someone running up on the right side, he'd have cut the wheel right and hit the gas to slide the back of the car left and miss him.

Poor visibility, both from the wing and a suit almost the same color as the track surface would limit Stewart's chance to react--as well as not expecting anyone to approach the cars in motion that closely.

I can't see an intentional hit, and I think the move was an attempt to slide the rear of the car away from the driver on foot.

[cripplecreek]

I’m guessing there would be a mention of a driver being killed in a race which Tony Stewart took part in but not much else.

They used to race back to the caution flag in NASCAR till injuries and a death changed it.

Personally I think there should be a rule that a driver must remain in his car until the pace car picks up the field or the safety crew arrives whichever comes first. Aside from fire, there’s really no need to get out of the car immediately.

[John W]

Probably wouldn’t even be a thread.

[RaceBannon]

gross to say, but he was stuck in the treads, that’s why he spun when he hit him

[McGruff]

You're certain it was him and not one of the other dozen sprint cars surrounding the camera?

I think you are on to something here. The video appears to be taken from the front stretch. Probably from the grandstands or track camera. Any sounds would be from cars on the front stretch.

I'm sure the trial lawyers have been ringing the family's phone off the hook. There's millions to be made here. I'm sure they could find some "technical expert" that would say it was deliberate on Stewart's part.

[Gay State Conservative]

I don't see anything on that video that would compel me to vote “guilty” on any charge against the driver.OTOH I just might vote “guilty” on a charge of voluntary stupidity against the dead guy.

[Sacajaweau]

If I can get out of the car...I’m gonna get out of the car. Gas tanks do not announce “explosion....run”.....

[cripplecreek]

In car video with a good view of driver’s hands and wheels. These are not street cars and don’t work the same way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTqoeJ3_ru8#t=66

[Delta 21]

As clearly demonstrated by Tony Stewart himself. You need to stand well clear of your opponents car while throwing your helmet at his windshield. This will effectively pump up the crowd, adequately express your rage, AND (most importantly) allow you to live to race another day.

[rainee]

Yep, stuck under & then tossed like a rag doll..
Horrible

[jjotto]

Yep.

The only question Stewart needs to answer is why he wasn’t lower on the caution. Even without that answer, no prosecutor is going to make a case on the evidence so far. Too many actual racers and actual race fans actually know what goes on.

[McGruff]

Yeah Tony has been known to throw a helmet or two, but he’s been smart enough not to do it to close to a car on the track. In the interest of full disclosure I am a big #14 fan.

[NormsRevenge]

a promising young and now dead driver who should have stayed in his car.. but NOoooOOooo... he had to show how macho he was..

[pnz1]

At the point of this incident was the race over? I admit I know little to nothing about dirt track and open wheel racing..

[deport]

no prosecutor is going to make a case on the evidence so far.

**************

But look out for the civil suit contingent.

[jjotto]

Yes. They ended the race.

[Sacajaweau]

No one will ever say deliberate...it's impossible to prove. But if he hadn't slowed and the tower had notified the drivers that Kevin was on the track.....that changes things.

Stewart should have gotten as far away from Kevin as he could. Split second decision by an experienced driver?? That's what racing is about.

[ridesthemiles]

I have been around racing since I was about 17 & I am now 74, almost 75.

I have followed drag racing, midgets, sprinters, NASCAR, drag boats, Trans Am, Can Am, & Indy cars.

I have enjoyed many a day & a night at the races.

I have known some of the top drag racers—Don Garlits—Don Prudomme—Paula Murphy- Tommy Ivo & countless others. Chris Karamesines—”The Greek” is one of long time friends & favorite person. He is over 80 & still driving Top Fuel dragsters and he passes the annual physical exams with flying colors.

The event where this accident occurred was a night time event. IT WAS NOT DAYLIGHT!!!

The dead driver was wearing a dark colored driving suit, based upon the pics shown on ABC this AM.

While there are lights at the track, trying to see a driver in a dark driving suit who is walking on the track during an event must be impossible.

Then, I ask myself this question:

WHAT DRIVER anywhere in the world is expecting to have a PEDESTRIAN on the racing surface?????

I don’t care if is a straight line of racing—like drag racingsuch as Pomona Winternationals——

OR a road race course like Sonoma——

OR an oval like Daytona——

Or a dirt track small oval-—

NO DRIVER ever is expecting a PEDESTRIAN to be on the track.

ABC stated that the young man exited his car—which was up against the outside wall & cushion, with a flat tire.

HE DELIBERATELY walked into the field of racing drivers.

Another car swerved & missed him. I don’t think Tony even saw him until it was too late....if at all.

I don’t know a single driver who is NOT competitive.

I also don’t know know a single driver who would deliberately run over another driver.

For those in the media who are saying that NASCAR should NOT let Tony race today are showing the highest degree of ignorance I ever thought I would see from them.

NASCAR had nothing to do with last night’s race.

USAC runs those Sprint Car races, I think.

IF USAC wants to make a rule that drivers are NOT to leave their cars—except perhaps in the case of fire—& are NEVER to enter into the racing surface like this young man did—then let them!!!

Otherwise-—The media can just plain shut up.

A ‘commentator’ on ESPN early this AM was in a rant about how Tony should not drive today & hinted that if Tony did drive, it would be so disrespectful to the driver who got killed. I was chewing my teeth. If I could have I would have called this ‘sports expert’ and told him off.

It was glaringly apparent that this ‘sports expert’ doesn’t know a thing about motor racing & doesn’t have any connection to any of the drivers.

I hope Tony drives today & for many more days & nightsfor the rest of his life.

The same for all the others who race.

From the time we are able to toddle—we ALL are told NOT TO PLAY IN THE STREET or in THE TRAFFIC!!!

[MaxMax]

Every Police officer and Medic will tell you to stay in your car.
Race track or highway, I don't think the rules permit walking on the track
and the Laws absolutely do not allow walking on any highway. Looks like
his emotions got him killed.