Tony Stewart...

[SnoC653]

While we all try to second guess just what went wrong, the driver running behind Sterwart said that he did everything possible to avoid Ward. The video showing the accident has been slowed down and it appears that Ward was upright and hanging onto or hooked on the wing of the car (video is so poor you can't really see what is going on so call it speculation) until right before he drops to the track. Could he have gotten snagged when he went to beat on the wing? Your guess is as good as mine, but that's all we are doing at this point.

Could TS see Ward on that track? If he knew where to look, I'm sure he could. But since Ward wasn't stationary, how would anyone know where to look on a dark and poorly lit track for an irate driver dressed in black? If you watch the video, Ward points and runs toward the car ahead of Stewart, who had to swerve to avoid him. Couldn't Ward see which car he was going towards?

I also don't think TS tired to mud the kid. There probably wasn't much mud left in the racing groove by the time they ran. The track was fast and hard. But as another driver pointed out, the Sprint cars have a spool in the rear end, they don't steer at lower speeds, they simply push straight ahead unless you give them some throttle. They also have a bias dialed in to kick the rear end around. It's a fine line between enough throttle to get the car to turn and too much so the rear end kicks out even a bit. But no matter what I think or what any of us think for that matter, it was a tragic loss that could have been avoided. Motorsports should have a stay in the car rule unless the car is on fire, exigent circumstances, or safety crews direct you to exit the car. And then they should have a rule where after exiting the car, the driver must exit the track by the shortest route and not cross the racing line unless being escorted by the safety crew. Any driver violating these rules should be suspended for several races or longer. This is a senseless loss and a real blow to the sport.

[GRADS]

While we all try to second guess just what went wrong, the driver running behind Sterwart said that he did everything possible to avoid Ward.

Or he could have said that Tony ran him over and killed his racing career forever.

[Mrs.K034]

Or he could have said that Tony ran him over and killed his racing career forever.

Really?? You make me sick! After your "do you believe in signs" post... You can be the heartless?

[GRADS]

Really?? You make me sick! After your "do you believe in signs" post... You can be the heartless?

Let me rephrase that. Do I think he purposely ran him over .....hell no. Do I think he could of done more to avoid the accident.....absolutely! He had an ample opportunity to steer clear away from that kid....but he didn't.

[HB Vic]

Let me rephrase that. Do I think he purposely ran him over .....hell no. Do I think he could of done more to avoid the accident.....absolutely! He had an ample opportunity to steer clear away from that kid....but he didn't.

Seriously. Someone jumps our of their car on the freeway and runs toward you what you gonna go? Crash in to the car on either side of you or go straight?

My choice is pretty clear.

[GRADS]

Seriously. Someone jumps our of their car on the freeway and runs toward you what you gonna go? Crash in to the car on either side of you or go straight?

My choice is pretty clear.

I ain't buy that. Here's a driver that can make split second decisions doing 200+ mph and he couldn't see a kid coming at him at 30 mph?

[RogerThat99]

Grads, look at the lack of visibility in this picture. Plus the driver has a helmet and Hans device on, plus low light, plus he wasn't expecting someone on the track (just like you don't generally expect a pedestrian on the freeway), plus the kid was shielded from view by the car in front of Tony. Tony was probably looking at the disabled car and didn't see the kid. There is also a slow motion video that shows that kid makes contact with the outside of the wing (Not sure if he tried to hit it with his hand, or tried to push off of it, or didn't see it coming and got hit).

[RogerThat99]

.........

[GRADS]

Really?? You make me sick! After your "do you believe in signs" post... You can be the heartless?

I think you misunderstood what I was saying. What I was saying was is if the driver behind him said Tony was guilty in any way he would effectively be committing career suicide. If he was the guy that shut down Tony's racing career I cant imagine there would be too many people wanting help him move up the ranks.

[The Doctor]

There's no doubt that the experts will deal with this and conclude whatever they will. Sadly, I doubt this is treated exactly the same as if a different car/driver - say a rookie - had been involved instead of Tony and celebrity had nothing to do with the investigation and/or outcome so it concludes fairly for all.

Sadly, Ward is dead and Tony, for whatever reason has now chosen to take a second cup race off. There's no doubt that this incident has left a scar. How permanent, is yet to be seen.