Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart sat out his Cup race Sunday following a tragic accident Saturday night that left one fellow racer dead. The tragedy was unlike anything we’ve seen in recent memory.
Stewart was racing in a sprint car race Saturday night in up-state New York when a maneuver by Stewart left Kevin Ward Jr. spun out and stalled near the wall. Visibly upset, Ward got out of his car during the ensuing caution lap and started walking down the track to confront the car(s) that took him out of the race. It was during this moment Stewart’s car ran over Ward, leaving him motionless. According to reports, the 20-year-old was dead on arrival at a local hospital.
Warning: The video of the accident is very graphic and discretion is advised.
Bob Pockrass of the Sporting News spoke with Tyler Graves, a friend of Ward and also a fellow sprint car racer. Graves gave the writer his account of the tragedy, saying, “Tony pinched him into the frontstretch wall, a racing thing. 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.”
It was first announced Stewart’s team would go on with business as usual until very early Sunday morning when the racing champion and his team decided it would be best to cancel their racing bid Sunday. Stewart then released this statement:
“There aren’t words to describe the sadness I feel about the accident that took the life of Kevin Ward Jr. It’s a very emotional time for all involved, and it is the reason I’ve decided not to participate in today’s race at Watkins Glen. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and everyone affected by this tragedy.”
There are plenty of eyewitness testimonies that have been given which seem to — or blatantly — imply that Stewart ran over Ward on purpose. However, one sprint car crew member says here that the view out of a sprint car is very limited; he believes Tony’s hit was unintentional. Another witness said that the turn wasn’t well lit and that Ward was wearing Black.
The local sheriff said there are no charges currently pending. However, S.I. has an interesting article on the outcomes that Stewart could face if found guilty of manslaughter, which could be up to 15-25 years in prison.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Photo Credit: Getty
