NASCAR driver Tony Stewart hits and kills fellow driver during sprint car race

[GoOKC1991]

WARNING: I would not recommend watching the video, just read the article. Of course, you might have already heard about this

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

[Just the facts]

This is a tragedy and I have no interest in watching the video for myself so will wait for authorities to complete their investigation but I hope this was just an accident. Getting out of the car and confronting another driver who is still driving in their car on the track is a regular occurrence during a NASCAR race and honestly I am surprised someone hasn't been killed doing this a long time ago. The chance of survival being hit by a car doing 45 mph is almost nill, and even on a caution lap race cars are still going way over that.

[ylouder]

This whole redneck mentality needs to be addressed.

[kevinpate]

Most all rednecks, just like most other folk, are taught by their mamas at a young age not to run into a busy street.
Being stupid is something different, and it often ends poorly for someone.

[Just the facts]

This whole redneck mentality needs to be addressed.

That's not helpful. Do you feel the same way when Formula 1 drivers are killed or does the body style of the race car factor into your level of compassion?

[ylouder]

The mentality that cheers on people exiting their race car and trying to fight other drivers.

As you've said earlier it's a very common occurrence and I'm also surprised others haven't been killed.

[Just the facts]

The mentality that cheers on people exiting their race car and trying to fight other drivers.

Well that mentality certainly isn't limited to 'rednecks' in America. Europeans love auto-racing and the NE is full of hockey fans.

[BlackmoreRulz]

nm

[ylouder]

You don't see this inbred fighting at every other European race event either.

There are some very serious problems within that community that they need to address.

[Urbanized]

It wasn't NASCAR. It was a sprint car race in upstate New York. There's definitely some blame for Ward in his own death; he angrily ran out onto an active track to angrily gesture at Stewart, who had just put him into the wall. But after watching the video and owing to Stewart's past, I think it's pretty obvious Stewart lit the tires as he drove by, which caused the fishtail that took the guy out.

I'm sure he wasn't trying to kill or even hurt him, but he was probably trying to teach him a lesson, chicken-style. It didn't work out. After reading a bit about the incident this AM, I think at the very least a manslaughter charge is a real possibility.

[RadicalModerate]

I think that "Contributory Negligence" will play a significant role in determining any guilt in this particular situation. I also think that Mr. Stewart's racing license could--and maybe should--be suspended for life. But, of course, this should be determined by a jury of his peers. Redneck or otherwise.

[BlackmoreRulz]

It wasn't NASCAR. It was a sprint car race in upstate New York. There's definitely some blame for Ward in his own death; he angrily ran out onto an active track to angrily gesture at Stewart, who had just put him into the wall. But after watching the video and owing to Stewart's past, I think it's pretty obvious Stewart lit the tires as he drove by, which caused the fishtail that took the guy out.

I'm sure he wasn't trying to kill or even hurt him, but he was probably trying to teach him a lesson, chicken-style. It didn't work out. After reading a bit about the incident this AM, I think at the very least a manslaughter charge is a real possibility.

Probably trying to give the guy a dirt shower.

[kelroy55]

I think that "Contributory Negligence" will play a significant role in determining any guilt in this particular situation. I also think that Mr. Stewart's racing license could--and maybe should--be suspended for life. But, of course, this should be determined by a jury of his peers. Redneck or otherwise.

I'll wait for the investigation to conclude before I say he should be suspended for life. Accidents happen on a race track all the time and if a driver is stupid enough to get out of his car and go down on the tract when the cars are still running shouldn't be surprised when he gets hit.

Edit: I forgot to offer my thoughts and prayers to the drivers family.

[RadicalModerate]

I think I'll wait for the investigation to conclude, too.
We certainly don't want a "Sprint to Justice" here . . .

[rezman]

I have to disagree. Dirt track racing is a whole different animal than hard track. The groove becomes hard as concrete and slick as glass. The cars are steered by the power at the rear wheels. The front wheels just guide them. After watching the clip multiple times, it is plain to see that Ward was hit in the area of the the right rear wheel. Not the front of the car. Stewart punched it, and fishtailed to the left, not to the right. He clearly tried to to steer around Ward who was leaning in with his gestures. Ward ran into traffic. If he would have stayed in his car, till traffic was cleared he would still be here.

[Edgar]

man I miss the races. Must be a redneck.

[BBatesokc]

The mentality that cheers on people exiting their race car and trying to fight other drivers.

As you've said earlier it's a very common occurrence and I'm also surprised others haven't been killed.

Classic........ Yeah, when I'm on the south side and see two Hispanics, two Blacks, or pick your non-white redneck race getting into a fight in a parking lot, etc. those non-rednecks standing around watching are all yelling "C'mon guys, lets all just hug this out."

Its an unfortunate reality of human nature for a large portion of the population - labeling it a 'red neck' (or 'that community') thing simply shows your ignorance/bias.

[Uncle Slayton]

God, that's one gruesome video. Comments on this event in other venues are running about 4:1 in favor of Tony Stewart being lynched on live TV. Of course, everyone on the internet is a lawyer, but I've seen 2nd and 3rd degree murder, manslaughter, etc, along with every other Law and Order buzz phrase (depraved indifference being chief among them).

Stewart may well be a douche, but the only time you should exit onto a live track is if your own vehicle is on fire.

I will have nightmares about that, I'm surprised it's still out there, but there's no doubt that he was dead way before he stopped rolling. A horrifying and pointless tragedy.

[hoya]

I don't think the video is conclusive one way or the other. Probably shouldn't run out onto the track in a race.

[Uncle Slayton]

With all due respect, can one of you first responders answer this question? Several of the comments I've seen are similar in content to "oh damn, just look at the reactions of the first guys on scene..."

All I see is lots of activity around him, so...

[rezman]

When you watch the video, start and stop it as Ward and Stewart go into turn #1. They are both going going for it. Ward goes in high to begin with and winds up outside of the groove. Stewart goes in on the middle of the groove but slides up to the top of the groove and looses some momentum as he picks his line going into turn 2. Ward is set to pass at the top but looses traction because he's up in the marbles, and Stewart pulls away. At that instant, there could have been brief contact between Stewarts right rear wheel and Wards left front. Hard to tell.. . By that time Ward was right next to the wall and you can clearly see his right rear fishtail into the wall. It's quite possible that Stewart didn't even know that Ward was out of it untill he came back around.

Start stop and rewind again... Ward runs out on the track and down into the groove. He actually steps farther down as he #45 car goes past, and then starts back up as Stewart comes around. I know authorites and experts will sort it all out but from this angle, it looks like just a tragic accident. It would be interesting to see if there are any other videos from different angles.

[bluedogok]

That's not helpful. Do you feel the same way when Formula 1 drivers are killed or does the body style of the race car factor into your level of compassion?

Ayrton Senna was the last F1 driver to die during a race weekend, Roland Ratzenberger died the same weekend during qualifying at Imola in 1994. Rubens Barichello was injured during Friday practice.

I was always taught to stay in the car on a hot track until safety crews/corner workers arrived on the scene unless the car was on fire. As rezman stated, dirt track cars are much different than any other type of race car, they are direct drive and have staggered tires so you end up steering with the throttle. With the wings, roll cage, seats and HANS devices the visibility is horrible. Also add in the factor that most dirt track lighting makes a rec league softball field look like it is lit like a major league park. You also don't expect someone walking down the track in all black with a black car behind them into your path, in fact the car in front of Stewart probably blocked his view of Ward walking down the track. If he hadn't of had a hot headed response and got out of the car it would have been nothing more than a racing incident, looked like Ward got into the marbles and lost it into the wall, it happens all the time in racing, no need to go off on anyone but yourself. Too many drivers (and not just in Nascar) go ballistic and blame everyone but themselves when they screw up. Maybe it will make some of the Nascar drivers think twice before going out onto a track to "stare down" a driver in a 3,800 pound car but I have also seen a little bit of it club racing (cars or motorcycles) and it is usually by the young hot heads whose perception of their talent far exceeds their skills.

[bluedogok]

I don't think the video is conclusive one way or the other. Probably shouldn't run out onto the track in a race.

I agree, bad cell phone video is hardly definitive proof.

[Just the facts]

God, that's one gruesome video. Comments on this event in other venues are running about 4:1 in favor of Tony Stewart being lynched on live TV. Of course, everyone on the internet is a lawyer, but I've seen 2nd and 3rd degree murder, manslaughter, etc, along with every other Law and Order buzz phrase (depraved indifference being chief among them).

Stewart may well be a douche, but the only time you should exit onto a live track is if your own vehicle is on fire.

I will have nightmares about that, I'm surprised it's still out there, but there's no doubt that he was dead way before he stopped rolling. A horrifying and pointless tragedy.

I wonder what those people who want to lynch Tony Stewart think of the drivers who kill 4,280 and injury over 70,000 pedestrians every year. My guess is they blame the pedestrians.

[bluedogok]

I wonder what those people who want to lynch Tony Stewart think of the drivers who kill 4,280 and injury over 70,000 pedestrians every year. My guess is they blame the pedestrians.

There has been a problem with auto/pedestrian crashes up here, especially the hit and run variety. In some cases the pedestrian shares some culpability, trying to cross wide streets (like Federal near Mile High Stadium) late at night in the dark and not crossing at a crosswalk when there is one only 40 or so feet away. We see that often heading home from work when going out on East Colfax, they cross anywhere and stand in the middle left turn lane (in dark clothing) waiting for traffic to clear. It happens more after daylight savings time when it can be dark outside by 5:00 in the evening.

Those situations still don't absolve the driver if they flee the scene, usually the reasons they flee are related to DUI, no license/insurance, warrants, immigration status, etc.