Tony Stewart strikes and kills fellow driver at New York dirt track

[NEED-A-VETTE]

Warning: Pics following the article. Not graphic, per se, but some may choose not to scroll down.

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Tony Stewart struck and killed driver at New York dirt track

August 10, 2014

Tony Stewart struck and killed another driver after the driver exited his car to confront Stewart following an accident Saturday night at a dirt track in Upstate New York, according to the Ontario County (N.Y.) Sheriff's Department.

Povero identifies Tony Stewart as hitting driver on the track. Driver was transported by ambulance. Driver was dead on arrival.

— Prescott Rossi (@PrescottRossi) August 10, 2014
The sheriff's department declined to identify the driver, who was pronounced dead at 11:15 ET, but according to multiple witnesses it was 20-year-old Kevin Ward.

The incident took place at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. Stewart and Ward were racing into Turn 2 when they made contact, sending Ward's car spinning into the wall. According to multiple witnesses, Ward got out of his car to confront Stewart. As Stewart drove by, his car struck Ward.

Video of the incident was posted on YouTube Saturday night, but has since been taken down.

The OCSD said there were no charges pending as of early Sunday morning and that Stewart has been cooperative.

District attorney's office has been notified. "This is an ongoing investigation of an on-track crash." No charges pending at this time.

— Prescott Rossi (@PrescottRossi) August 10, 2014
Sheriff Povero: "Mr. Stewart has been fully cooperative... He is very upset and confirmed his contiuning cooperation."

— Prescott Rossi (@PrescottRossi) August 10, 2014
Stewart, a three-time champion in NASCAR's premier Sprint Cup Series, was racing in the sprint car race at the dirt track north of Watkins Glen, where Sunday’s Sprint Cup race is being held.

Michael Messerly, who said he attended the race with his son Saturday night, told Yahoo Sports that he saw Ward get out of his car and go down towards Stewart's car.

"I just know that he was in one spot and when Tony went by, he wasn't in that spot any more," Messerly said.

Here's how a witness described the details of the alleged incident to the Sporting News:

“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,” Rich Willis said in a phone interview with Sporting News. "He approached him and evidently when he was driving by the guy standing on the track gesturing at him, he gunned his engine.

"What happened was the back end kicked out and clipped the guy and the guy flew across the track."

Ward, 20, is from Port Leyden, N.Y. and according to his website, he started racing when he was 4.

The track posted to Facebook that it would not have an official statement until Sunday.

Canandaigua Motorspots Park will not have an official statement on the accident that happened in the ESS race until tomorrow. Please pray for the entire racing community of fans, drivers, and families. Please be respectful in any comments.

Stewart made his return to sprint car racing this year after suffering a broken right leg in a sprint car accident just over a year ago. After last year’s crash, he missed the rest of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season. This season in the Cup Series, he hasn’t won a race and is 19th in the points standings.

There is no word on Stewart's status for Sunday's race.

[RED-85-Z51]

And that will be the.end of his racing career...promise you.


Prayers for the family of the murdered driver.

[NEED-A-VETTE]

Senseless, all around.

There was video of the accident on YouTube, but I think it has been taken down.

[Kerrmudgeon]

Maybe he had a massive stroke from the impact with the wall when Stewart went by?? I guess an autopsy will confirm the cause of death. Seems strange that the ass end of a dirt car going sideways would kill instantly like that....

[ApexOversteer]

Originally Posted by YahooNews

Tony Stewart struck and killed another driver Saturday night at a dirt track in Upstate New York, according to the Ontario County (N.Y.) Sheriff's Department.

In a press conference early Sunday morning, Sheriff Phillip Povero relayed the grim news.

The sheriff's department declined to identify the driver, who was pronounced dead at 11:15 ET Saturday, but according to multiple witnesses it was 20-year-old Kevin Ward.

The incident took place at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. Stewart and Ward were racing into Turn 2 when they made contact, sending Ward's car spinning into the wall. According to multiple witnesses, Ward got out of his car to confront Stewart. As Stewart drove by, his car struck Ward, launching him down the track.

Video of the incident was posted on YouTube Saturday night, but has since been taken down.

The OCSD said there were no charges pending as of early Sunday morning and that Stewart has been cooperative.

Stewart, a three-time champion in NASCAR's premier Sprint Cup Series, was racing in the sprint car race at the dirt track north of Watkins Glen, where Sunday’s Sprint Cup race is being held.

Michael Messerly, who said he attended the race with his son Saturday night, told Yahoo Sports that he saw Ward get out of his car and walk down towards Stewart's car.

"I just know that he was in one spot and when Tony went by, he wasn't in that spot any more," Messerly said.

Here's how a witness described the details of the alleged incident to the Sporting News:

“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,” Rich Willis said in a phone interview with Sporting News. "He approached him and evidently when he was driving by the guy standing on the track gesturing at him, he gunned his engine.

"What happened was the back end kicked out and clipped the guy and the guy flew across the track."

Ward, 20, is from Port Leyden, N.Y. According to his website, he started racing when he was 4.

The track posted to Facebook that it would not have an official statement until Sunday.

"Canandaigua Motorspots Park will not have an official statement on the accident that happened in the ESS race until tomorrow.
Please pray for the entire racing community of fans, drivers, and families. Please be respectful in any comments."

Stewart is one of a handful of NASCAR drivers who moonlight on dirt tracks around the country. Just over a year ago, he suffered a broken right leg in a dirt track accident. After last year’s crash, he missed the rest of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series season. This season in the Cup Series, he hasn’t won a race and is 19th in the points standings.

Early Sunday morning, Stewart-Haas Racing issued a statement.

"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."

Bad mojo...


Crowd videos are coming out...

[island14]

I would have to see the video to give a better opinion, but it sounds like Tony felt threatened, or didn't want to be bothered with him. and just wanted to get out of there quick..

"What happened was the back end kicked out and clipped the guy and the guy flew across the track."

[Kerrmudgeon]

.....déjà vu?

https://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/o...irt-track.html

[island14]

It sounds like Tony felt threatened, or didn't want to be bothered with him. and just wanted to get out of there quick so kicked the throttle a bit to get by him in a hurry..

"What happened was the back end kicked out and clipped the guy and the guy flew across the track."

Sometimes tempers flair at races when someone gets crashed, but I always felt like a guy getting out of his car to make a scene and threats was very unsportsman like conduct.

Most of the time accidents just happen because two drivers were fighting for the same piece of real estate.

It is just part of the game, and it is going to happen at times. no one is happy about it, everyone wants to finish at least... and hopes to win.

But no one wants to tear their cars up!

If Tony meant to run him over, he would have done it with the front tire.

I'm sorry the guy had to die, but I see this as a stupid accident that he brought on himself.

Regardless.. I'm sure Tony still feels bad about it..

[Milton Fox]

Tragic all around.

I want to believe that Tony turned the wheel to avoid hitting him and the back end kicked out. For what it is worth - the other driver walked into traffic.

[island14]

Originally Posted by Milton Fox

Tragic all around.

I want to believe that Tony turned the wheel to avoid hitting him and the back end kicked out. For what it is worth - the other driver walked into traffic.

I just watched the video and agree, the guy walked right into him.

WTF was he thinking!!!!!

And I even have to wonder why he even thought this accident was Tony's fault.

There was a slower car to the bottom of the corner and Stewart had to move his line up, and still plenty of room.

Keep in mind that sprint cars do not use mirrors, and he was behind his line of sight, so Stewart had no idea other than the sound of the other cars engine where he was.

The general rule of thumb is... if you cant see the other guys front tire at your door, you own the line.

Stewart's right rear tire clipped the other guys left front tire... sending him into the wall.

The track looks like it has a lot of clay in it and looks slick, so of course there is going to be some lateral slide.

The guy in the top grove trying to ride the cushion needed to get out of the throttle a bit and let him go.

He caused his own crash!

Then caused his own death...

[carlton_fritz]

Originally Posted by RED-85-Z51

And that will be the.end of his racing career...promise you.


Prayers for the family of the murdered driver.

Murdered? Nice to make that judgement without an investigation.

[Will]

Originally Posted by RED-85-Z51

And that will be the.end of his racing career...promise you.

Nah. Sterling Marlin killed a guy and his career continued.

[VatorMan]

Sorry- but T. Stewart is a master at car control. He knew exactly what he was doing. This was aggravated assault at minimum. With manslaughter.

Steward did the same shit his whole career. Getting out and confronting other drivers on the track. He will get what he deserves. Loss of his race team, career, and whatever else.

[Kerrmudgeon]

What kind of damn fool walks away from a wreck into the path of oncoming cars?

Sure Stewart's confronted drivers before....AFTER they stopped moving!

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by Kerrmudgeon

What kind of damn fool walks away from a wreck into the path of oncoming cars?

Sure Stewart's confronted drivers before....AFTER they stopped moving!

That azzhat had no business being on that track. The other azzhat, on the other hand had no business hitting him.
wtf were they both thinking?
Oh... They weren't.
It'll be interesting to see Stewart snake out of this one....
And people wonder why owners have a clause in their driver's contract prohibiting racing like this, other than exclusively for their team.
This is a bad situation all around....

It seems that Stewart leaves a wake of carnage at this track every time he's there.

"Stewart was involved in a July 2013 accident at Canandaigua that seriously injured a 19-year-old driver. He later took responsibility for his car making contact with another and triggering the 15-car accident that left Alysha Ruggles with a compression fracture in her back."

[sanchez]

I hope "smoke" goes to jail and has to toot the pee pee whistle. A chocolate flavored one. His chocolate.

[Datawiz]

video here:

Video: Tony Stewart Runs Over Driver During Confrontation, Killing Him

Other driver clearly caused his own wreck. Dumbass had no business getting out of the car. As far as Stewart intentionally running him over, it's hard to tell.

[VatorMan]

Originally Posted by Kerrmudgeon

What kind of damn fool walks away from a wreck into the path of oncoming cars?

Sure Stewart's confronted drivers before....AFTER they stopped moving!

Go on youtube hoss. MANY examples of Stewart on the track while cars are moving. MANY.

Besides: He's damaged goods now. Office Depot and all the rest of the sponsors will drop him like a hot rock.

[Stangkiller]

Is it just me or did Tony drift the rear of the car AWAY from the angry driver? It almost looked like he was trying not to hit the kid.

Also, the kid had a little more room he could have run a little higher up the track and this whole thing never would have been an issue.

[Thunder22]

Wow, a lot of conclusions being drawn here based on a crappy video. None of you know what anyone's intentions were.