• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

Horror at NASCAR

Share this page

Basil

Basil

Administrator
Staff member
Boss
Offline
Tony Stewart hit and killed 20 year old Kevin Ward, Jr in a horrific Sprint Car accident. Stewart had tapped Ward's car sending him into a spin and causing a flat tire. Ward, obviously upset, got out of his car and walked on to the track and gestured angrily at Stewart. That's when Stewart's car hit Ward and killed him. There will obviously be an investigation, so I'm not going to second guess what happened or why. I've heard lots of "opinions" but I'd recommend waiting until the investigation is complete.

Also, there is video of the incident "out there" on the internet, but I'm not going to link to it (and I'd ask others not to either. I've seen it and it is chilling).

Basil
 
Sad
 
It's all the racing community is talking about right now. I have a friend who is doing track photography at Watkins Glen today (Stewart is racing there today). He is doing his best to focus on the actual race but it's obviously difficult.

Like everyone else, I agree that there must be a proper investigation. That's the only way to get to the bottom of this.

But I do not understand the notion that a driver can get out of a racing car after a crash and be allowed to stand on the "hot racing surface", apparently gesturing to another racer.
I just can't understand how that is allowed? This was on a small dirt-oval where the officials could clearly see what's going on.

If that happened at one of my amateur vintage road races, our flaggers would red flag the session immediately (forcing all cars to come to a stop wherever they are on the track). In fact I've seen it happen (a spectator was in a bad spot).
The yellow flag they used was not even close to sufficient for the circumstances (obviously).
 
I was wondering about that myself, Nial. I was also wondering why on Earth the kid would have walked out onto a hot track in the first place. I'm sure he was angry, but man, really?

By the way, I think I read he has decided to pull out of Watkins Glenn, or be replaced by another driver?
 
Sad indeed. Sometimes anger management is not just a phrase. No use in second guessing. One life lost and another life forever changed.
 
I saw the video, absolutely horrific incident. I agree completely with Nials thoughts, the race should have been red flagged the second that kid walked onto the track. I don't understand, and no one will ever know, why in the world he walked onto a hot track.
 
Well, from where I sit I have two observations:

The first is I don't believe this has anything to do with a NASCAR series affiliate. (I could be wrong)

The second is I'm not sure I agree with the wait and see, there needs to be an investigation bit. I saw the tape, it couldn't be more clear what happened. A young man acted in anger and died because of his choice. He alone is 100% responsible. That's sad. I feel bad for his family. But I don't understand why the media has to portray this as a mystery and why we're all supposed to be so confused and saddened that we can't acknowledge the obvious.
 
Well Steve, we agree that the young man definitely made a bad choice in walking out on the track - that is for sure. But could a red flag have helped by slowing the cars down right away? I don't know, but that is why there needs to be (and in fact will be) an investigation. But it's for sure the kid should NOT have walked out on the track in anger.
 
Sprint cars are a peculiar form of auto racing for sure and one that I've been a fan of my entire life.

It's sad to me how ghoulish the media, even the sports media, is. Every headline seems to suggest that Tony Stewart is responsible for intentionally killing a boy. That shouldn't be allowed to stand unanswered. My opinion.
 
I also saw the video and it's very obvious what happened. There's times like this when I hate the news media! I feel sorry for the kid and his family, but what if another driver hit him instead of a big name like Stewart, it could have easily happened, would the media be so hot on the case, I doubt it. I agree an investigation should be preformed and it will, but racing is a very dangerous sport and to do what that kid did is one of the dumbest things I've ever seen in racing! Stewart will live this event over and over, for how long, who knows, when the media stops trying to sell news papers I guess. A very sad day for all concerned. PJ
 
It is a very unfortunate and tragic lesson about keeping your emotions in check, and not leaving your vehicle until the safety crews arrive (unless the car is on fire).

I'm sure everyone has their opinion on the video. To me it looks like Stewart wasn't paying attention or didn't see Ward and jerks the wheel at the last moment, which in a Sprint car will cause the rear end to step out. Is it possible that he was trying to spray some dirt on the kid as way of saying "Welcome to racing"...maybe. But there's no way in my mind this was intentional. Stewart in his younger days was quite the hothead, so people are trying to exploit this angle. As a team owner and now in his early 40s, he's definitely mellowed.
 
One thing most people don't understand is this type of race car is not like any other type of car, race or not. Most cars race on pavement. This car runs on dirt. The car is designed to slide the back end out as the way to steer. The narrow front tire offer a vague sense of direction control. This guy simply stepped out when Tony goosed the throttle to slide the car around to avoid running into anyone else. I'm afraid Tonys gonna be tried in the court of opinions and lose.
 
Rely a sad situation.

However;
I was also wondering why on Earth the kid would have walked out onto a hot track in the first place. I'm sure he was angry, but man, reallyer:??
 
I saw the video. without spouting all my opinions, I'll just say the real villains here are the vultures in the news media. After the investigation gives it's answers, the suits for slander should begin. I've been to Columbus In. where Stewart lives. He is a hometown hero. He is always giving back to the community, and ready to lend a hand to anyone who needs it. It's sad to think of what he's going to go through, on top of what he personally has to deal with, because of what a bunch of blood-thirsty talking heads spewed out in an attempt to grab the most attention.
 
saw the vid also and thought that it was quite dark at that section of track, however it is still sad for all concerned
 
It may just be my bad eyes ... but one of the videos I've seen shows Ward walking on the track, then one sprint car races by and Stewart's car is right behind. The way those things are designed (the high "wings" at the rear), and the high speeds involved - seems very likely that Stewart couldn't see Ward until the last split second.

Also, maybe we're just isolated here in New England, but I haven't seen any media references to anything more than the tragic accident, and Ward being hit by Stewart's car. No references to anything more than that. Altho' on the video I saw, someone near the camera keeps yelling "Tony Stewart just hit that guy".
 
I watched the video twice, but already feel like a vulture and won't watch it again. Yes, walking on the track was foolish, but it happens, you see it on Sportscenter (USA sports channel new program for our international members) not every weekend, but often enough. They ought to put in a no tolerance rule like they have in the NBA, if you leave the bench and go on the floor in a fight you are suspended for at least a game) that if you leave your car and approach another car you should have an automatic one race suspension at the minimum, I would think that would get driver's attention, I think it was tolerated because it made the highlights and got the sport press, like fights in hockey, but this may cause at least the roundy round series to rethink those rules.

Lastly, we certainly don't know enough to blame Stewart (and if Ward actually ran or tripped into the car it is certainly all on him) but under caution you are supposed to be "under caution" racing safety 101, slow down, be on the lookout for courseworkers and debris on the track, especially in the area where the accident occurred.
 
Back
Top