What was Tony Stewart thinking...

[planomateo]

Have to wonder why these guys don't slow down more when another racer is standing on the track. They need to ban drivers from getting outta their vehicles and standing on the track.

And now he's going to race later today...brilliant PR move :sarcasm: NASCAR needs to step in here and prevent him from racing for the safety of others. I'm not insinuating he tried to kill Kevin Ward, but from a PTSD standpoint. There is a reason they pull people from jobs after events like this for a brief period of time. They should also do this from a PR standpoint.

RIP Kevin Ward Jr.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I think Stewart was probably trying to scare/intimidate him and it went horribly wrong. I certianly don't think he was trying to hit him, as some reports and witnesses suggested (especially early on last night just after it happened). The most damning evidence to me, against charges being filed against Stewart, is the fact that the car before him almost clipped the kid too. Ward should have never gotten out of his car and approached the line of cars under caution.

The bottom line is, it's sad a young man is dead. I'm no fan of Tony Stewart, never have liked him. I just haven't seen anything yet that makes me think he meant to do it, though I'm sure there will be more video (possibly audio) released at some point.

I will be interested to hear Stewart address the issue and answer questions though.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I watched one video of it. Pretty chilling. The video shows Stewart racing under green, getting loose and sliding up into the kid in turn 2 and the kid's taken out. Clearly, the kid is pissed at Stewart, and lurches into the path of the car ahead of Stewart making its way around under caution. That car had time to swerve clear. Stewart did not take evasive action to the degree that it is obvious on the video. At contact, he accelerates (you can hear it well on the video), either to try and rattle the guy or trying to make a last second correction when he realizes the guy is just about in his window.

The kid was in the wrong to approach the path of a car. Stewart was wrong to not be low on the track. They were probably both mad and now the kid is dead. It's a crying shame.

http://deadspin.com/reports-tony-stewart-ran-over-opposing-driver-during-1618893708

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Reports are now that Stewart will not race at the Glen today.

 

[alabama mike]

I have no problem with a driver getting mad and wanting to have an encounter with another driver. My problem lies in the fact that a driver was out on the track to begin with. Just wondering if a charge of involuntary manslaughter would apply? I am not a race fan so I don't know a lot about the drivers but I don't believe a driver would try to run over another person on purpose.

 

[Bamabww]

I'm not a big race fan either but what a senseless tragedy.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I have no problem with a driver getting mad and wanting to have an encounter with another driver. My problem lies in the fact that a driver was out on the track to begin with. Just wondering if a charge of involuntary manslaughter would apply? I am not a race fan so I don't know a lot about the drivers but I don't believe a driver would try to run over another person on purpose.

Unless more (some) evidence comes out showing there was some intent on Tony's part, I'm not even sure an assault charge would be considered.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Here is the best, most informative, article I've seen on the tragedy thus far...

http://www.motorsport.com/sprint/ne...iver-who-was-killed-but-know-the-whole-story/

 

[PhillyGirl]

Damn shame for both. A young man is dead and another will forever have this event weighing on him.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

The feeding frenzy continues. I had ESPN on last night and their legal hack was saying he would pursue "at least" involuntary manslaughter against Stewart. Another report was surmising the DA would pursue charges because of local perception and for appearance sake. The idiots are lining up for air time.

 

[psychojoe]

It is close to the same thing as an impaired person wandering onto an interstate on foot at rush hour and getting hit. Maybe Tony could have done something to avoid him, but it is 100% it would not have happened if the guy had stayed in his car.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

It is close to the same thing as an impaired person wandering onto an interstate on foot at rush hour and getting hit. Maybe Tony could have done something to avoid him, but it is 100% it would not have happened if the guy had stayed in his car.

Yes. In terms of civil liability (and I think that's where it ends up, not criminal), Stewart could be held liable for partial negligence, but if the kid isn't down the track with the cars it never happens.

 

[ElephantStomp]

There's a firestorm about this because a NASCAR driver was involved. Sprint drivers die all the time racing and nobody hears about it.

There's no evidence as of now to support any type of criminal charges being brought.

People are having a hissy fit because it was Stewart. If it was Dale JR people would be saying "oh poor JR what he must be going through", but because it's Stewart who fans don't really like because he comes across as an a$$hole they're all up in arms and screaming for charges, etc.

It's horrible the kid died, but when you remove any emotional feeling from it if the kid stays in his car he's alive today.

 

[bamaraider]

How hard is it to stay in your car and exert your anger afterwards instead of risking your life when you get out of your car during mid-race? I hate the kid died, but damn, what else do you think is going to happen? Sorry, I don't watch nascar, so I don't know if this happens often, but to me, its common sense.

 

[Wendielu]

http://ondirtracingnews.com/?p=6836

Really good article on this subject.