Tony Stewart

[trashygasman]

I worked on sprint cars for almost 15 yrs, I garantee Stewart never felt it when he bumped that guy. Being on the RR of him, it probably felt like he hit a hole in the track or bumped the cushion. Then he comes back around trying to see what happened and there is someone standing in the middle if the track. My first thought would be, "what is this idiot doing", and then he jumps out at him. I think Stewart goosed it a little as he was swerving away from him. If you notice in the video, the blue car almost hit him before he did.

I heard Kasey Kahne quoted this morning as saying that only a few people know what really happened. That being Stewart and the 2 or 3 other cars that were right there when it happened. No media, or spectator, or anyone can know exactly what happened except for them.

I saw Kasey Kahne at Devils Bowl in Mesquite, TX when he was 14 yrs old slide off the track into the infield one night and hit a woman holding a baby. The baby ended up under a pickup unhurt, but they medi-flighted the mom out by helicopter. Nothing was ever done to Kahne, it was just an accident. That's the risk you take when you go in the pits. And at the time he was noboby, but if it happened today, the same thing would be happening to him.

Unitl the facts come out during the investigation, all we can all do is guess.....

 

[grynch31b]

all we can all do is guess.....

Speculation affects public opinion (among other things) in tremendous ways.

I've only seen potato quality video of the incident. It's truly a tragedy for something like that to occur. Honestly though, it was truly a bad judgment call to get out of the vehicle and enter the raceway as Ward Jr. did so. Regardless of whom hit him, losing his cool and walking into the driving path was literally the worst possible choice he made. The best protection he had was the gigantic target (his car) that drivers would avoid hitting.

My thoughts go out to all parties concerned. That's a @!%*ty thing to have on one's conscience, but also an unfortunate chapter for the Ward family.

 

[trashygasman]

Speculation affects public opinion (among other things) in tremendous ways.

I've only seen potato quality video of the incident. It's truly a tragedy for something like that to occur. Honestly though, it was truly a bad judgment call to get out of the vehicle and enter the raceway as Ward Jr. did so. Regardless of whom hit him, losing his cool and walking into the driving path was literally the worst possible choice he made. The best protection he had was the gigantic target (his car) that drivers would avoid hitting.

My thoughts go out to all parties concerned. That's a @!%*ty thing to have on one's conscience, but also an unfortunate chapter for the Ward family.

I agree

 

[McRat]

Terrible tragedy for sure.

Watching that video, it doesn't look like Tony did anything illegal when he tagged the other car. He got the better line, the other car didn't.

The younger driver did something really dumb out of anger. That was not Tony's fault.

But the rest of Tony's team is probably in a heated discussion right now about why Tony is hurting them by running sprint cars as a hobby. A sprint car injury screwed them just last year.

Tony pulled out of the money race, and that effects everyone. When you race for money, with sponsors, with employees, you don't pull out of a race.

 

[grynch31b]

Terrible tragedy for sure.

Watching that video, it doesn't look like Tony did anything illegal when he tagged the other car. He got the better line, the other car didn't.

The younger driver did something really dumb out of anger. That was not Tony's fault.

But the rest of Tony's team is probably in a heated discussion right now about why Tony is hurting them by running sprint cars as a hobby. A sprint car injury screwed them just last year.

Tony pulled out of the money race, and that effects everyone. When you race for money, with sponsors, with employees, you don't pull out of a race.

True. It's again unfortunate that others may have relied on the financial aspect of him racing. Ultimately, I'd agree with the decision he made not to race, though. Mentally, he'd definitely have a lot more than just points, team, winning, making sure he provided for others relying on him financially, etc.

 

[trashygasman]

True. It's again unfortunate that others may have relied on the financial aspect of him racing. Ultimately, I'd agree with the decision he made not to race, though. Mentally, he'd definitely have a lot more than just points, team, winning, making sure he provided for others relying on him financially, etc.

That, and his employes are still being taken care of whether he's racing or not.

 

[Cknight199]

Terrible tragedy for sure.

Watching that video, it doesn't look like Tony did anything illegal when he tagged the other car. He got the better line, the other car didn't.

The younger driver did something really dumb out of anger. That was not Tony's fault.

But the rest of Tony's team is probably in a heated discussion right now about why Tony is hurting them by running sprint cars as a hobby. A sprint car injury screwed them just last year.

Tony pulled out of the money race, and that effects everyone. When you race for money, with sponsors, with employees, you don't pull out of a race.

You nailed it. When your sponsored for a specific type of racing, sponsors don't like you doing things on the side that could hurt you or the image that you have. Travis Pastrana went through the same thing with his sponsors when he raced Motorcross, but did freestyle on the side and would often get hurt. Then he ultimately transitioned to freestyle.

 

[McRat]

Normally, top level racers get injured, come back, and never make it back up to the top. Happens again and again.

They are no longer able to put the injury part of racing out of their head, and lose their edge.

I have little doubt running another racer over and killing them would have a similar effect.

I'll venture a guess that Stewart is approaching that retirement now. 2 seasons max.

 

[OregonDMAX]

Terrible tragedy for sure.

Watching that video, it doesn't look like Tony did anything illegal when he tagged the other car. He got the better line, the other car didn't.

The younger driver did something really dumb out of anger. That was not Tony's fault.

But the rest of Tony's team is probably in a heated discussion right now about why Tony is hurting them by running sprint cars as a hobby. A sprint car injury screwed them just last year.

Tony pulled out of the money race, and that effects everyone. When you race for money, with sponsors, with employees, you don't pull out of a race.

Tony Stewarts car still raced... David ragan took his place and got 19th which is impressive since he got off the helicopter and jumped in the car minutes before the start of the race. And it was at watkens glen which not all those drivers are good at road courses.

 

[Stoshu]

You are right, but it will be hard for people, and Tony to fend himself in court. Not everyone knows how those cars are setup up unfortunately.

Everyone knows if someone is involved in a vehicular related murder, it is always a tough outcome.

Murder What the hell! It was an accident caused by someone trying to make a name for himself going after Tony Stewart! My condolences to his family.

 

[x MadMAX DIESEL]

Yeah I know, I've watched 2 angles on that wreck. Neither looked like tony even touched him originally .... Even if he did, rubbins racin, deal with it.

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Tony Stewarts car still raced... David ragan took his place and got 19th which is impressive since he got off the helicopter and jumped in the car minutes before the start of the race. And it was at watkens glen which not all those drivers are good at road courses.

Regan Smith ran Stewart's cup car at Watkins Glen and finished 37th.

 

[OregonDMAX]

Regan Smith ran Stewart's cup car at Watkins Glen and finished 37th.

Hah yeah I always get Regan smith and David ragan mixed up, they are both back of the pack racers

Regan smith is a JR motorsports Busch cup racer thaysbwhy I get them confused

 

[trashygasman]

Stewarts sponsors know the risk going in that he races on the side. He has always done it. All of his nascar sponsors sponsor his dirt track teams also. So whether he is on dirt or pavement he is getting their name out there.