Breaking: The Ontario County sheriff will do a press conference at 5pm today (Monday) with Sheriff Phil Povero talking about the Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward incident. The people who have been contacted have knowledge. From Sheriff Povero: Autopsy on Mr. Ward was done today. Cause of death was massive blunt trauma. No timelines set on this. Right now, they continue to try to find relevant information about this investigation.
Just learned that Attorney Jim Voyles will represent Tony Stewart #WTHR
From @jeff_gluck.
Kevin Ward has died. Dead on arrival. Stewart will not race at Watkins Glen on Sunday.
He got into an accident with driver Kevin Ward Jr. Some reports say it was intentional, while other reports say it wasn't. This pic is from @loganmesserly, who was at the track. He has been hauled away from the track. Kevin Ward is a 20 year old driver, who drives the Rider Racing Engines Powered #13 360 Sprint Car. This is Ward's bio from a sprint car website. http://www.sprintsource.com/profile/?rt=driver&r=18403
Was just told Ontario County Sheriff currently meeting with victims parents. Will talk to media momentarily.
Ward started in the third row in the race. He is from Port Leyden, NY. Apparently there was no sign of a trauma alert, which is a very bad sign.
Very graphic video of accident.
From @danielfarish, talking with MRN officials: Word from the MRN officials are that Tony Stewart intentionally swung his car at Kevin Ward. Oh hell.
Adam Longo, a Phoenix news anchor (@adamlongocbs5) **UPDATE**: One witness tells me they DO NOT believe Tony Stewart hit the driver intentionally, but rather swerved to get out of his way.
UPDATE: Witness: Incident happened coming out of turn 2. Tony Stewart spun another driver. That driver got out of his car. UPDATE2: WITNESS: When the field came around to turn 2 under yellow, driver who was out of his car got hit by Stewart's right rear tire.
UPDATE 3: Witness: Tony Stewart apparently fishtailed his car into the other driver. Afterwards, that driver layed motionless on the track. Another fan reported to me that the driver who was on the track was hit and was knocked back about 25 feet.
Another eyewitness report:
This was a pic of Tony's car:
This pic is from @loganmesserly, who was at the track.
Bob Dillner of Fox Sports reports this:
According to a witness on scene at Canadaigua Speedway in NY Tony Stewart & Kevin Ward tangled during a Sprint Car wreck, Ward got out of car & walked toward Tony Stewart's car to confront him. Stewart's car made contact w/Ward. Witness says police secured area, track cancelled rest of racing for the night and everyone was ushered out of the track.
Bob Pockrass of Sporting News:
Rich Willis, who was at the track, said he didn’t see exactly what happened but his sister down in Turn 1 did. He saw Stewart and Kevin Ward get into the wreck.
“People (who could see it better) said the guy got out of his car and was gesturing angrily at Tony Stewart when Tony Stewart came by during the next lap under yellow,” Willis said in a phone interview. “He approached him and evidently when he was driving by the guy standing on the track gesturing at him, he gunned his engine.
Tyler Graves, a sprint-car racer and friend of Ward's, told Sporting News in a phone interview that he was sitting in the Turn 1 grandstands and saw everything that happened.
"Tony pinched him into the frontstretch wall, a racing thing," Graves said. "The right rear tire went down, he spun on the exit of (Turn) 2. They threw the caution and everything was toned down. Kevin got out of his car. … He was throwing his arms up all over the place at Tony for most of the corner.
"I know Tony could see him. I know how you can see out of these cars. When Tony got close to him, he hit the throttle. When you hit a throttle on a sprint car, the car sets sideways. It set sideways, the right rear tire hit Kevin, Kevin was sucked underneath and was stuck under it for a second or two and then it threw him about 50 yards."
“What happened was the back end kicked out and clipped the guy and the guy flew across the track.”
Right now from Mike Stanton of I Kick a Touchdown Racing (11:34pm): Unconfirmed reports of Tony Stewart in a Sprint Car altercation with Kevin Ward Jr where Stewart ran him over under caution. We will keep you updated through the night as confirmed reports come out. ~Mike
This was a fan at the race:
Another post, from Twitter user @DaleEarnhardSr, who had a friend at the track. Pardon the language.
@IamMufasa on Twitter's account.
Witnessed Tony Stewart accident, what's I'm seeing on Twitter is naturally way out of control and not entirely accurate! #tonystewart
There are a lot of rumors spread about this. I will keep you updated.
@_TylerBurnett ·
Don't
hold me or my employer to any of this information. The number one right
now is prayers, I'm a dirt tracker, and we stick together.
Here is the report from Jim Utter of the Charlotte Observer.
The Ontario County (N.Y.) Sheriff's Department is investigating an incident at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park involving NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart which occurred on Saturday evening.
At approximately 11:30 p.m. ET, a spokesman for the department said it had no comment at this time but said a news release would be prepared and available in "two to three hours."
Posts on the social media sites Facebook and Twitter, including photographs, indicate Stewart was involved in an on-track incident with driver Kevin Ward, which left Ward on the track receiving treatment for what were described as serious injuries.
Canandaigua Motorsports Park is a half-mile dirt track north of Syracuse. In recent weeks, Stewart has returned to dirt track racing after a breaking two bones in his right leg in a wreck at a dirt track in Iowa last summer.
There was no immediate response to a request for comment from Stewart's NASCAR public relations representative.
Read more here: http://thatsracinluckydog.blogspot.comFrom @zeven13: More reports- sheriff cars were surrounding Smoke's trailer. Crime scene tape in place at accident. Life flight for Kevin Ward cancelled.
Unconfirmed rumor from @danielfarish: Buddy of mine in PA knows photogs and media people in NY, all confirming Kevin Ward has passed away. Tony Stewart lit the tires and hit him.
Anonymous commenter on my page: I was at the race in turn one. The guy left his car with out his helmet and ran down the track at him. I highly doubt that Tony Stewart would intentionally run over a local in a small town race.
Tony should be banned for all racing ... I can't stand his arrogant *******
ReplyDeleteThey were still under green flag conditions, the kid came charging at Tonys car, he swerved to avoid him and clipped him with the right rear, the yellow didn't come out till after Kevin was hit.. Sorry to say its all Kevins fault should have stayed in the car.
DeleteAll reports clearly state they were under Yellow when Tony hit him...
Deletemost tracks have a rule about leaving your car when there is an accident unless it is on fire for this reason.
DeleteThere will be a video or all to see and I am sure the police have been viewing it for the last few hours. I was there a 17 year old is dead and it was 100% avoidable. Yes the driver existed his car shaking his fists at Stewart, but to retaliate Stewart gas his car to spray the driver with dirt and instead caught him in the rear tire. Murder no, manslaughter maybe, a life lost and family destroyed yes.
DeleteBanned? According to eye witnesses, he hit the throttle right as he got close to the car and ran him over, and now he's dead. Banned? How about charged with murder? Just cause it's on a race track you can't run people over and not get in trouble for it. WTF??
DeleteCoupl'a regular fkn idiots is all, it's how it works folks, the mentally handicapped either think themselves smart or geniuses then, whoopsiedaisy.
Deleteim just wondering who was the hot head, who was throwing a non sportsman like temper tantrum, jumping out of his car running down into the racing lines.... would you do that if someone cut you off on the freeway....get out of your car and run across traffic lanes....just saying with no bias look at the entire picture.....I think both made terrible decisions and one payed by his life. Anger was the root from both. you will never stop it its built into all of us so why the witch hunt tony will have to live with that the rest of his life..we need compassion for eachother.....we as a people have lost that I think... my respects to the young mans family
DeleteRoad rage period..on both parts, this boys have at it has gone to the extreme..now a young man is dead, a pro driver should never be allowed behind the wheel again..you clearly can tell Tony acted out at Kevin for being dramatic over being taken out as drivers feel they are alot of times. Sick fucked up mess..R.I.P Kevin..
DeleteI agree always has been a big bully '''' ban him from racing
DeleteTony about to get rear ended by Bubba in prison
ReplyDeletelike you get nightly
DeleteWhy doesnt everybody WAIT for the facts before u open yoie mouth? Like him or hate him I pray it was an accident.
ReplyDeleteBubba in prison? Sounds like you know all about it
i dont think there is anyone in prison named bubba... maybe brent, bobby, or dewayne.... hes gonna get bofu'd by a bobby...
DeleteOh i love anonymous shit talkers. The kid should have never got.out.of the car. The spin wasnt bad enough to get out of car. If he was.man and upset he should of waited in the pits by tonys trailer. Ive never been a stewart fan and will probly never be. I have been around racing long enough to know you dont run out.to middle of a track during a race. Nobody knows what stewart was thinking at that time.
DeleteThe yellow was out a full lap before Stewart got to ward dumb ass. The track is in my home town and many people saw it live. Stewart gassed it up to shoot dirt on him and misjudged it and hit and killed ward
DeleteWow this sounds like its going to be bad...
ReplyDeletewow so unreal that people cant wait to pass judgement instead of actually hearing what really happened and to give consideration to the drivers families
ReplyDeleteI agree, the main thing right now is prayers for this young driver. It doesn't matter if he got out of his car and I can't see Tony Stewart throwing his whole career and everything he has accomplished to hit someone intently. Wait to see what the investigators say and AGAIN, please pray for this driver!!!
DeleteI saw the sickening video. Stewart probably didn't mean to run over him just scare him , but he ran over him. You can hear Stewart's motor rev right before he hit the kid. Tragic!!
DeleteSprint cars work by going on the throttle to turn. Had he slammed on the brakes, he would've just fishtailed anyways and slammed into him.
DeleteSprint cars do NOT work like a normal car and are designed to turn on throttle, especially on dirt.
If you notice the fishtail doesn't even happen until AFTER he hit the guy. =/
I was there in Iowa last year when Tony broke his leg (Paramedic on ground crew) and he can let his temper and emotions get the best of him, period! I pray for both drivers and their families right now and hope that if Tony did cause the death of a innocent 17 y.o. driver that he does get what's coming to him! So sad that ones emotions can cause something as stupid as another's death!! It's all fun and games until someone dies out of stupidity!
ReplyDeleteHis death could be Obama's fault. Lets wait until the investigation is complete.
DeleteKevin Ward died. Tony hit him. Period. Tony has to pay for his actions. Period. Don't drop the soap Tony.
ReplyDeletewere you in his car? do you know that he did it purposefully? if you do then go ahead and make your remarks. Racing is a dangerous sport, he will have to live with his action for the rest of his life whether purposeful or not. Why don't you turn your hatred into prayer
DeleteHe was hit after running out in front of car still at race speed, Tony swerved to miss him..
Deletepeople like Carla make this world a bad place....tar and feather before knowing all the facts....2 sides to every story
DeleteAnd when you enter a race track for an event you sign papers waiving liability . and know the risks of injury and or death when competing
DeleteI was a sprint car driver but not professional and you do sign a waiver at every race.... and yes it also states that in an accident situation you are to remain in your car under no circumstances..... and im not taking up for anyone here just stating what i know from driving for almost 4 yrs.... and i have seen many drivers wait until after the race and have it out in the pits instead of on the track where there are still cars moving around track at good rates of speed even on cautions......
DeleteWhy is everyone hiding behind anonymous.cit was accident the video has been on 50 times in 30 minutes. Tony didn't do anything on purpose. IT WAS A ACCIDENT.PRAYING FOR BOTH FAMILIES
DeleteKevin Ward had made a MAJOR SAFETY VIOLATION by being on the track like that. this isn't nascar. This isn't pavement. These cars are not as simple as "brake, turn, brake turn". They turn on the throttle (one thing people can't get past is the Revving engine)
DeleteSo I will repeat this again:
SPRINT CARS. TURN ON THROTTLE. THEY SLIDE AND FISHTAIL ON BRAKE.
THEY SLIDE AND FISHTAIL ON BRAKE.
TO TURN. YOU MUST USE THROTTLE.
Not to mention that the driver is wearing all black ( i could barely see him in the video lol), and on the track, the first guy also barely missed him. Tony didn't fishtail until AFTER he hit the guy.
I would say he didn't mean to do this.
The video clearly shows that TS did not swerve his car, but he did accelerate.
DeleteFolks..let`s wait this one out before running off at the gums... get the details after they sort em out.
ReplyDeletePeople should not try to confront other drivers while on the track! Period... I mean why would at someone who's in a race car who could be just as mad as you??
ReplyDeleteThen that person should get out and face them man to man instead of hitting them with the car (as speculation has it) unlike what that punk ass pussy Stewart is probably guilty of doing.
DeleteI'm still competing and doing my job, but wait, you're upset at me, so I should stop doing my job and let you yell and scream at me.
DeleteI don't know what happened that caused either accident. But Ward should not have been going on foot after Stewart while he was still driving. If there is evidence to Stewart's accountability....he will be held responsible. This needs to be investigated not just flapped about on the internet.
no one should be out of the car on a green flag...been racing dirt for14 years and been wrecked many times...save it for when the race is over.
DeleteTony has a great PR team, that's how he's lasted this long, it's even a stronger PR team now that he has 3 more hot headed angry confrontational drivers on his team..hell i thought Damica would of killed someone first..
DeleteI hope Kevins family sues the shit out of him...
Agree.
ReplyDeleteI was at the race in turn one. The guy left his car with out his helmet and ran down the track at him. I highly doubt that Tony Stewart would intentionally run over a local in a small town race. There was no dragging of the other driver either so I guess maybe people should be more truthful
ReplyDeleteReally?
ReplyDeleteI WAS THERE AND KEVIN GOT OUT OF HIS CAR WHILE THE OTHER CARS WHERE STILL UNDER GREEN FLAG CONDITIONS.NO YELLOW TILL HE GOT HIT ,THERE WAS A COUPLE OF DRIVERS THAT ALMOST HIT HIM TONY HAD NO WHERE TO GO .SO SORRY FOR THE WARD FAMILY.PRAYERS TO THE FAMILYS .JUST A RACING INCIDENT .
ReplyDeletethat's one of the biggest problems with racing...delayed yellows...he shouldn't have been out on the track and he knew it, unfortunately we let our tempers rule us sometimes...sad sad event tonight. prayers to all
DeleteIf he had hit the wall and stopped, it takes a few seconds to get unbuckled and out of the car. Why wasn't the yellow out? If that was the case some of the blame goes to the flagman and race director for not getting the yellow out. You never stay green with a car is stopped on the track. You go yellow as soon as it happens.
DeleteIf that's the case...I wasn't in the flagman's position
DeleteIf you have never driven a race car on dirt, step off...you have no idea what its like and how unpredictable they can be,I have seen many altercations where one driver speeds off and the bucks out. The boy shouldn't have been allowed to walk down the track towards oncoming cars...that would never happen at the tracks I race at. I'm sorry for his family and those involved but lets see what actually happened before you start accusing and pointing fingers.
ReplyDeletelets see what happens with the police report if indeed turned his car into him he is in deep crap but this may have been a accident lets hold off on the hate and pray for this young man .
ReplyDeletePLEASE! RESPECT the family of Kevin Ward Jr.! DO NOT make these remarks, they DO NOT need to read this stuff right now. I you want to do something for the good, Keep this Family in your thoughts or prayers! THAT is what is needed right now! Also, RESPECT Canandaigua Motorsports Park Management and refrain from speculation! They WILL release a report when it is prudent to do so!
ReplyDeleteReally?!? "Respect park management"???... You believe that in the wake of this horrific event, Kevin's family has torn thru their grief to check on what any of us are spewing about...wow. Respecting park management, would presumably depend on their own actions
Deletetony doing this does not surprise me. he is a jerk he thinks he is entitled to any and everything. jealous of 17 yr old...tony ur days are up and i am glad. hope he gets a prison sentence. the racers need to control their emotions better and if they cant they need to be banned period. people like to see some rubbing during racing that all good... but when that caution flag drops chill the fuck out.
ReplyDeletereally tony knew this kid was only 17...speculations...I hope you never get into an accident...because you sound like you have never lost your temper once in your life...
Deleteaccording to witnesses it was still green when he was out of his car
DeleteYou must be a Gordon fan. Let's wait til the real truth comes out!
DeleteYou're. It's you're
DeleteI'm a gordon fan, so don't use that as an insult. And I believe this kid was wrong for walking at oncoming cars. Respect for the families, and I hope the reports of Kevin Ward Jr.'s passing are false.
DeleteThe kid was 20 years old not 17.
DeleteI don't think any driver would run someone over on purpose. I know that Tony Stewart has a temper, but it sounds to me like this kid ran out in front of a car. I just send my hopes out to the family of Kevin Ward Jr. And hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteTony does have a temper.....just hard to think he would do that.
DeleteTony does have a temper but apparently this young man did too, after all he did go after Tony. If any other young driver had hit him this would not be as big as it is but since it was Tony and he is a big name it has been made bigger. It is very sad this young man (20yr. old) not (17yr. old) lost his life. This young man was not exactly a total rookie as he had won several races in the past. Yes, this will be with Tony in one way or another for many, many years to come. This being said every one of the drivers know when you get on that track you are putting your life in danger whether you are racing with a big name or a rookie. Many drivers have died before racing. Should Tony stop racing...No, should there be changes in this type of racing yes,? but for ALL drivers. Younger and the more experienced.
DeleteI can't stand how everyone says "get what's coming to him" fact is, in ANY RACING SERIES you do not walk on the track under green or yellow. In fact in IMCA you don't get on the track under RED! It's a tragedy if the kid dies but the rules are there to protect us racers! You don't follow the rules you get hurt and/or killed. As bad as this is let it be a lesson to hot headed drives "Don't walk on the racing surface while other cars are on the track!"
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% that these people are being stupid. Look, I've never sat in a race car, but I know that when cars are on the track you don't get out until the safety crews arrive.
DeleteTony Stewart is a professional. I don't care how bad his temper and emotions can get. He would never run another driver over intentionally. End of story!
ReplyDeleteKeeping the ward family in prayers tony is a great guy had a bad temper that has seemed to mellow out over the years wait for reports on paper before going after him
ReplyDelete99% of the time tonys sprintcars have go pros recording everything. That would tell you exactly what happened
ReplyDeleteWell as a dirt track driver you stay in the car, AT ALL TIMES. So if the accounts being stated that they were under green and he got out, dam that is a terrible accident. When a 360 flips and rolls it should have brought the yellow out quick enough that every one should have been going at an acceptable speed.
ReplyDeleteVery sad for the family. Here comes more "is racing really safe?" reports from the uninformed.
ReplyDeleteI JUST FEEL BAD FOR ALL,,,,,
ReplyDeletewheres the video!!!
ReplyDeleteThere is none yet.
DeleteI don't know but that's a lot of witnesses well no by tomorrows race at the glen if he's in jail well i don't have to say anymore period but prayers to his family..........
ReplyDeleteMaybe prayers to the Ward family and Smoke would be better.
ReplyDeleteTony has gotten out of his car before too... Just some perspective... RESPECT and PRAY for the Ward and Stewart families. None of us are cool for posting on some website.
ReplyDeleteI have raced for many years and your told to stay with your car after a accident.I'm sure plenty of video camera's were recording.It is a very sad day in racing.I just hope that it wasn't intentional. Prayers to the Ward family.
ReplyDeleteI even read that this young man has died from his injuries, any substance to that?
ReplyDeleteNo one has thought about this . What if this kid has a temper. Im guessing he dose to be out on race track under green. Have to wait and see before I make my judgement..
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvaHUN6JFPc
ReplyDeleteI just left a link for the video
ReplyDeletethere is rules to help prevent these things...yes people do let emotions get the best of them....let it rest...thoughts and prayers for all involved......just because you don't like someone, makes your feelings of that person are the facts...I've been around different forms of racing all my life...my father built sprint cars.. I wrenched on mods...all the tracks have been too have pretty much the same rules about when and not to be on the racing surface...less blaming and more prayers people
ReplyDeletethis is so sad, I can't believe Ward ran in the middle of the track to confront him he could of got hit by some one else s car . Is there a rule to stay in your car as long as it is safe ?
ReplyDeleteThis is a horrible tragedy all around. For all of you lynching Tony, get a life. The video does not show Tony aiming at Ward, the kid was barely missed by a number of cars. Tony was right behind the last car to miss the kid and reactions can be drastic.
ReplyDeleteIt is 3am edt and there is no official confirmation that Ward has passed on, so hold your ongue and fingers until the true facts are brought forward by officials.
Most of you are disgusting!
I couldn't agree more.
DeleteTony Stewart is a hot headed, murdering bastard, and this could have, and SHOULD HAVE been avoided. This kid did nothing that Tony himself hasn't done several times himself, by getting out of the car. And if Tony didn't mean to scare him, spray him, or get his attention, then WHY was he a full car width to the right of the driver In front of him while approaching a wreck that he caused, and knew was there ????
DeleteAnd why, at the exact moment he was about to pass by Kevin, did he hit the gas ???
Tony saw him, tried to scare him, and is 100% responsible for Kevin Ward Jr's death, and should be held accountable !
Kevins family should get sued for raising a dumbass. If I am not mistaken you teach your kids not to go in front of moving cars. All kevins fault.
ReplyDeleteTwo indifferent self obsessed jerks enter, one man leaves.
ReplyDeleteSome sort of homosexual falling out avec domestic violence alà public pants shtting aux jus, sans alà mode.
ReplyDeleteThere is no way Tony would intentionally run someone over. Stop being judge, jury and executioner. Wait for the official investigation. In the meantime, pray for that young man's family and even Tony, this is tragic for everyone involved.
ReplyDeleteKid in wrong getting out of car but still we all have done what he did. But tony gassed it up shaking the car loose sideways very wrong. Tony should of been on the bottom line on that yellow. But I'm sure tony wanted to gas it up and spray him with the dirt crumbs from the track. Wrong move this time for tony and it's going to cost him a little time to think about his sorry attitude he has
ReplyDeleteThat wasn't Tony's car that gassed it. His car pulled right as he hit the guy. You can't see Tony's car accelerate when that throttle blip comes on.
DeleteSprint cars are in gear and can't stop easily like cars with transmissions. If you take the car out of gear you have to stop the car and a push truck has to come get you started again. Sprint car drivers don't like to have to do that.
Also, the kid tried to pass on the outside and got up in the marbles and crashed himself. He had no reason to be mad except at himself for being foolish when driving then foolish when getting out of the car on a hot track.
If you view it frame by frame, Kevin Ward is halfway in the track and already going down (maybe slipping? maybe he fell?) before Tony Stewart's car hits him. The blue car he ran in front of nearly hit him as well. That sound that people claim is Tony Stewart "gunning" the engine, sounds more like downshifting.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how many people here in the comments are also employed as judge, jury, executioners, and professional race-car drivers. For shame. A boy is dead, his family is grieving, and all you people can do is drool and chuckle over the prospect of yet another life being ruined. Disgusting behavior!
Forgot the vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqMbVgLnxFA
ReplyDeleteThis was a racing incident, nothing more! Kevin Ward (rip), should have known, not to get out of his car.
ReplyDeleteBoth drivers are responsible, I would advise those who were not there to keep their mouths shut and quit blaming everyone when you know nothing about what happened. Getting out of his car was the first mistake, and running toward a car in motion just asks for trouble. I hardly doubt that Tony would intentionally run over and kill anyone, I know he has anger issues, but Tony would not do that. We need to quit bashing him, but instead pray for him and the family of the life that was lost. Racing is a dangerous sport and that could of happened to anyone, so before you post rude unnecessary comments, take the time to pray for those involved. Lives are changed forever, a life even lost.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that!!
DeleteOut of your car or in it, Tony Stewart is a piece of shit and almost killed the Ruggles girl last year. Anyone who defends that trash should go to he'll with him. And Povero better not drop the ball on this one. My prayers go out to all those affected by this tragedy
ReplyDeleteYou guys are fucking retarded the kid came down to tonys car while tony was at race speed the rev in the engine was ment to help swerve out of his way but goimg race speed and getting on the pedal to rev more dosnt always work to swerve dirt track racer here
DeleteConfucius say:
ReplyDeleteman hit by sprint card got tire-d.
In regards to all the "stories" about Tony Stewert- Please dont watch ESPN as they obviously know absolutely nothing about racing. They need to stick to the stick and ball sports. Having personally driven one of these beasts myself, i can tell you Tony was not at fault in any way. When yellow flag comes out, you drive follow the car in front of you and drive arousn the accident scene which Tony did. they were all towards the bottom of the track and the accident was up high. Alot of times under yellow you also take the time to regroup.... check the gauges, wipe the dirt and dust from the visor both outside and sometimes inside too, pull the shoulder belts tight etc. The last thing you expect to see is someone standing right in front you and to compound the probelm, they guy was wearing all black against a dark colored track... if you have several layers of tear-offs on and its not a brightly lit track- it can be a real bear to see at times especially dark oblects which is why I never had a dark colored car. Even a whole car thats balck sitting sideways can be hard to see at times. Sprint cars are direct drive with a solid rear end... this means they idle around 35 -40 mph and you can not stop them. If something happens in front of you, the only chance of getting the car to quickly turn down is to hit the throttle which many people dont understand. you hit the brakes and the car goes strait or even goes right a little. and going 40 mph you really dont have time to knock the car out of gear and even if you do take the car out of gear you have to sometime even give it a little gas. Tony did not gas it to try to hit the guy, but to try to turn down to miss him. Thats why people who dont understand dirt track or sprint cars - like ESPN- really shouldnt be making accusational judgements in a time of tragedy like this.
ReplyDeleteGreat explanation. It was obviously accidental. If not, Tony would have hit him with the front of the car more likely. Unfortunate? Yes. Avoidable? Yes, Kevin was in major violation just getting out of his car... that is how this whole tragedy could have been avoided. Unless you have been around these cars, you just don't understand... that revving... meant Tony was trying to avoid him.
DeleteIt is a shame about what happened. Tony and Kevin are unfortunately both at fault here. I want to know if Tony ever tried to hit the brakes and stop or not. Check out my blog at Lucas Racing Blog.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we all wait to see what the investigation tells us. I don't think I have ever seen a driver get out of his car under a green light with no helmet and run out into traffic on the track. I really don't think there are any drivers out there that would deliberately hit anyone on the track. My prayers go out to both families.For the ones that lost someone & to the other because he has to live with what happened.
ReplyDeleteYou don't get out under green flags conditions!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you look at the tires on Tony’s car you can see them move up the track to hit the other driver... If you lesson to the video you can hear Tony gun the motor on his car as he turns the car into the kid... He was pissed at the kid because he was pointing and blaming him for the wreck... Tony was having a bad night and was pissed off as he always is when he doesn’t win... I can only hope they don't cover this up... It right there on the video for all to see....
ReplyDeleteI agree people only want their 15 minutes of fame until these people who post stupid stuff about a driver or team should try working on the the other side of the fence when you have to do 13 second pit stops and try to dodge cars coming onto and out of pit lane before you judge... I cant tell you how many time Ive been nicked buy another car coming out of the pits it my job to be safe and to make sure others around me are safe also that is why Nascar makes you sign a waver its your responsibility to use your head...also do you know how hard it is to stop a sprint car on a dime...If Tony had blinked just for a second that's all it takes
ReplyDeleteThree sides to a story. You side. There side. The the Damn truth. NASCAR will get to the bottom of it. Prayers to both famlies
ReplyDelete