Kevin Ward

[ShiftingGears]

That was a really dumb way to go out. Tragically completely avoidable. I hope that at least attitudes in oval racing towards putting oneself in danger just to angrily gesticulate will change after this.

As for Stewart, whether he runs well or not is unknown. I don't know the man, and people deal with events like this differently.

 

[nascarfan1400]

Because killing a person (inadvertently) is completely comparable to what you just said

I know it's not even comparable. It was more or less a way of saying he won't not race for anything. He said it himself. Racing is his life. In fact... Up until he broke his leg, I think the last time he missed a race was way back in 06 or 07 when he had shoulder issues.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Well, I give my condolences to Kevin Ward's family. Stewart not racing is probably a good decision. He's already under a media firestorm right now for this incident, and it'll only become a bigger mess if he races today.

 

[TenEightyOne]

On-topic, has there been any word about what US racing rulemakers will do in the aftermath? We've seen incidents where drivers have stayed on track, where they've used their cars in a "demolition derby" to the delight of the crowd (regardless of standing officials near by), the whole thing has been whipped up into a frenzy and the organisers seem to love it as much as the crowd.

I know I'm banging on about this but today wouldn't have happened if the kid had known that he'd better get his ass straight over the armco or miss races.

 

[nascarfan1400]

On-topic, has there been any word about what US racing rulemakers will do in the aftermath? We've seen incidents where drivers have stayed on track, where they've used their cars in a "demolition derby" to the delight of the crowd (regardless of standing officials near by), the whole thing has been whipped up into a frenzy and the organisers seem to love it as much as the crowd.

I know I'm banging on about this but today wouldn't have happened if the kid had known that he'd better get his ass straight over the armco or miss races.

Agree 100%

Settle it man to man, or car to car.

Don't run into a pack thinking good will come from it.

The Ambrose/Mears deal, and the Kurt/Brad deal, that's fair play.

 

[mattythedog]

Having seen the video, it just looks to me like a very unfortunate accident. Yes, Ward shouldn't have walked onto the track- that was pretty stupid- but Stewart probably shouldn't have got so close. It's tragic, and hopefully measures will be taken so it doesn't happen again.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Once again I'm not sure where the "but Stewart shouldn't have done [insert your thought]", I'd save all that rhetoric until the go pro footage from his car is released (if ever). People saying these things are just as bad as the earlier posters that seem to think some malice or tactic to intimidate can be formulated from the footage, if you've never watched Sprints or modified midgets and similar dirt track cars you probably aren't all that aware of how they behave.

Some of those posting I feel are just stepping with caution and simply saying blame to both so they are looked upon as people that don't respect those who have passed. I feel bad that this man died, but the reality at the end of the day whether people want to see it or not is that he stepped out of his car and put himself into a position of harm. Another car swerved to avoid the guy before Tony hit him, was he too close as well? I think it's a safe bet that no one expected him to be on the track like that.

 

[The Bman]

When I woke up and heard, I was shocked to hear about last night's incident.

About the incident, Ward was at fault for getting out and showing his displeasure. I think Ward should have stayed in his car and waited for medical personnel to arrive. If he didn't go out on the track he wouldn't have been hit by Stewart.

Tragic incident regardless of who gets the flak. Tony did the right thing to sit out today's race for what happened. He wouldn't have been the same person on track and most importantly out of respect for Ward's family.

 

[Doodle]

Well then. Had no idea this occured until I checked the thread. RIP Ward.

 

[Snaeper]

I find it difficult to even think that Tony meant to do that. Assuming he means to continue his career, its time to hang up Sprint Car racing. I have a very good idea that he's about to lose some sponsors.

 

[saveimageas]

 

[Bhowe83]

Once again I'm not sure where the "but Stewart shouldn't have done [insert your thought]", I'd save all that rhetoric until the go pro footage from his car is released (if ever). People saying these things are just as bad as the earlier posters that seem to think some malice or tactic to intimidate can be formulated from the footage, if you've never watched Sprints or modified midgets and similar dirt track cars you probably aren't all that aware of how they behave.

Some of those posting I feel are just stepping with caution and simply saying blame to both so they are looked upon as people that don't respect those who have passed. I feel bad that this man died, but the reality at the end of the day whether people want to see it or not is that he stepped out of his car and put himself into a position of harm. Another car swerved to avoid the guy before Tony hit him, was he too close as well? I think it's a safe bet that no one expected him to be on the track like that.

The thing is, we can come up with a list of a million things of which Stewart should or shouldn't have done to avoid this or make it not as bad etc. etc. etc. But there is one definite thing that could have been done to avoid this, and that is Kevin Ward staying in his car until the crew arrived.

Hopefully this leads to better rules and regulations in terms to what drivers do after an accident and prevents an incident like this in the future.

 

[GTPorsche]

ESPN: Here's the video....
ESPN: They haven't released the name of the driver because Police want to notify the family first.. but according to witnesses it was _____.

FS1: We saw the video, we'll describe some of the details of what happened.. but we're not showing it.

 

[Blitz24]

I saw the video. It was gruesome and I wish I didn't see it. They did warn it was disturbing but I'm at the gym and ESPN is on so not much I could do to avoid it.

 

[GTPorsche]

14 car has had police escort, even though Tony isn't driving....

Edit: Why are reaction videos a thing? Do we need youtube videos of idiots celebrating every time Jr wins?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

14 car has had police escort, even though Tony isn't driving....

Well seeing some of the crazy comments condemning him as if they know better than investigators I wouldn't be surprised. Since they don't seem to realize he was released, they probably don't realize he isn't racing either.

 

[saveimageas]

The only instance I can think of was when Russell Ingall and Mark Skaife tangled at Eastern Creek a few years ago, and Skaife stayed inside the armco barrier to voice his displeasure when Ingall passed by the next time around - and the response from the officials was as swift as it was humbling for the both of them.

The " SHRIEK AT THE CREEK "

 

[Bhowe83]

ESPN: Here's the video....
ESPN: They haven't released the name of the driver because Police want to notify the family first.. but according to witnesses it was _____.

FS1: We saw the video, we'll describe some of the details of what happened.. but we're not showing it.

I had to explain to an 8 year old why that man was laying on the ground and not moving...

 

[GTPorsche]

That's terrible to be put in an uncomfortable situation like that.

 

[Johnny1996]

I had to explain to an 8 year old why that man was laying on the ground and not moving...

I'm really sorry.

 

[Coxis]

Why would he do that? get out of his car, run around a race track and flailing his finger at an incoming race car?

My thoughts and prayers to him and his family, but I can't seriously fathom how he thought this was a good idea.

 

[saveimageas]

Try a softer cushion for a few days.

Day=made

 

[photonrider]

ESPN: Here's the video....
ESPN: They haven't released the name of the driver because Police want to notify the family first.. but according to witnesses it was _____.

FS1: We saw the video, we'll describe some of the details of what happened.. but we're not showing it.

Unfortunate. Man bites dog.

Reality is someone died, preventably. We can only hope that the lessons learned will help shape the future positively. Obviously, as motorsports fans, and however much we know the risks, incidents like this are shocking, even demoralizing. The video, however distasteful, is evidence of those risks.
I agree that viewing it as vicarious entertainment is beyond what should be considered good taste, let alone an acceptable mentality in a society evolved towards compassion.

 

[JMoney]

ESPN: Here's the video....
ESPN: They haven't released the name of the driver because Police want to notify the family first.. but according to witnesses it was _____.

FS1: We saw the video, we'll describe some of the details of what happened.. but we're not showing it.

Even CNN was decent enough not to show the impact.

Day=made

You must be expecting a pretty boring day.

Try a softer cushion for a few days.

I might if you keep you mouth shut and mind your own business.

 

[RACECAR]

So I just heard about the incident and I'm not really ready to make a definite call on it (and I didn't see the video, which perhaps is best for me) but based on what I've heard and read, I just wished the victim chose a much safer alternative to vent his disapproval.

I had to explain to an 8 year old why that man was laying on the ground and not moving...

Sorry to hear that. I've never been in that position before, but I can't imagine that was at all easy to do and I prey I never have to do that.

 

[Azure Flare]

I think it was darwinism.

He got too close to another car, and Stewart couldn't move out of the way in time.

 

[phillgt2002]

Tony Stewart on Nascar Thunder 2004 was an asshole, but I don't think he did this intentionally.

 

[JMoney]

Tony Stewart on Nascar Thunder 2004 was an asshole, but I don't think he did this intentionally.

 

[niky]

This was incredible... first thoughts were: "Oh 🤬 what has that hot-head done?!? Tony's career is over!"

But after seeing the video, while it's still "Oh 🤬 what has that hot-head done?!?", I'm thinking more about Kevin Ward.

Playing chicken in traffic, in a black suit, in the dark, with cars that are covered in sharp wings, on a dirt track where sudden changes of direction and/or speed are very difficult.... that was monumentally unwise.

RIP to the guy. That's a horrible way to die. And entirely preventable.

-

I think Tony's footage should exonerate him. Or at least show that he didn't intentionally move to hit the boy. We'll know when it comes out.

-

NASCAR has to take a good, long, hard look at how it runs its various racing series.

In Formula One, people get huge penalties for even spitting on the racetrack after an accident (or throwing your steering wheel out into the road while getting out of your car). Which is just and proper. These things are big, rolling death machines, and drivers should exercise more than a modicum of respect for that.

 

[Jahgee]

View attachment 202208

To be fair, he's not wrong. Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon combined were probably rivals with half the field