Posted on 08/09/2014 10:16:55 PM PDT by smokingfrog
Well, unless the angle of view is deceptive, he didn’t just hit Ward with his rear tire. Ward’s directly in front of him a split second before being run down.
Two horrible decisions. One young guy dead.
I think he’s alongside the car, I doubt he ran right in front of the moving car.
NASCAR sponsors are hard to get and hard to keep these days. Stewart may have killed his future in the sport regardless.
Indeed. It’s still.speculation and there will be ample evidence. But, I’ve had enough “wrongful death” files pass over my desk to hypothesize which way the wind is blowing.
And, you are correct about a history with Stewart. I remember him standing between the track and pit lane to throw a helmet at Kennseth (Bristol maybe). Good thing Matt didn’t try to teach him a lesson if that was indeed what happened in this case and went awry.
Looks like he’s in front of it to my eyes. And, even dirt track cars have steering, throttle control and brakes. There are two parties to this.
There will be a lot of in kind lessons in Stewart’s future, assuming he remains sponsored and viable. Mike Wallace is practically begging for sponsors. So are many others. The sport isn’t the moneymaking machine it once was.
So, you’re saying that the kid stepped right in front of the car, in essence playing “chicken” and refused to move even when the car is close enough to touch?
A spokesman for Stewart provided the following statement to The Observer early Sunday morning:
“A tragic accident took place last night during a sprint car race in which Tony Stewart was participating. Tony was unhurt but a fellow competitor lost his life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We’re still attempting to sort through all the details and we appreciate your understanding during this difficult time.”
The Observer is the Charlotte Observer, the paper Jim Utter writes for in NC.
I’m in NC and very familiar, but thanks.
Sorry, added that as a clarifying point for the general public. Wasn’t so much to you personally. Yours was the last post in the thread when I found the statement. Grabbed you by default. Meant no offense.
I’m no NASCAR guy but I used to know my way around a two wheeler track on 1100cc
I don’t see how Stewart aimed for the guy....or was going faster
The guy....young fella....15 yards down track to holler and gesture at Stewart and got clipped and spun and dragged by Tony’s rear right tire...a large tire...at high speed...70 or so I’m guessing
Its an accident.....don’t run into middle of track with plenty cars still racing
Its incredible really.....dead at 20....I agree sad
The heartless here as usual might claim Darwin......but I hate when folks do that
A hunch is fans who take this stuff series and dislike Stewart anyhow will be prone to blame him cause it suits them
But the young man clearly got out of his nice ride pissed and ran into fast traffic to scold or even go Allison brothers on Stewart
And it cost him his life unfortunately
It’s difficult to ascertain from the vid., but the white/blue #45 approached slower. Then, I hear an engine accelerate (presumably Stewart’s) and then a higher speed clip on the higher line. It seems like the car was moving upwards rather than the driver walking into his direct line.
You’re also assuming he has enough time to stop.
I’ve attended many a dirt track race and know that drivers do get rowdy with one another and that there are rivalries and even ongoing vendettas. It’s part of the culture. I can’t say I recall another driver being run down at speed by the car that put him into the wall. I’ve driven road courses myself. All I can say is, the Ward kid certainly lost his better judgment, his actions made his death possible. But, Stewart was in control of his vehicle. I saw no evasive move, braking or even letting off the throttle until after he’d hit him. It’s not as if he didn’t know there was a car against the wall since he put it there.
I watched the video 3 more times.
The poor kid just screwed up and hit the wall when pinched out by Stewart...and the flow in general
Passed off he gets out to confront Stewart while 5 cars speed by him at high speed as he dodges down track to yell at or get some one on one with Stewart
Stewart...6th car to pass by him in middle of track nails him on right side with what looked like right rear tire and after first contact Stewarts car shimmies a bit and kid is tossed
Shimmy likely due....horribly by rear tire catapulting him forwards
Unless there was earlier bad blood I don’t see why the deceased got so worked up
Second.... no way was this intentional and the first cars the boy dodged were going even faster
No charges for Stewart
Y’all can sic on me if I’m wrong
Like I said....I’m not a NASCAR fan.
I’m just saying that I’d be surprised in another angle turns up and shows that Ward was crazy enough to run front and center toward Stewart’s car.
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