Tony Stewart has decided to pull out of today’s NASCAR’s Sprint Cup after the tragic death of fellow driver Kevin Ward Jr. Ward was struck by Stewart’s car after getting out of his car on the track. Ward was attempting to confront Stewart after Stewart crashed into him. Unfortunately, the entire incident was caught on tape. The video can be found online, but will not be posted on here.
Ward was immediately rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Stewart was questioned by authorities and later released. The matter is being treated as an “on-track crash” and is not a criminal investigation. Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero described as visibly shaken by the accident, but was fully cooperative with authorities.
Originally, Stewart had agreed to continue on with today’s race, but after sleeping on the decision he decided against it. Greg Zipadelli, the competition director for Stewart-Haas racing said, “[Stewart] feels strongly this is the right thing to do. We at SHR support it and agree with it. It’s a difficult time for both parties. This is what we feel is right and we’re supporting Tony in it”. Regan Smith will race in his place.
The accident comes almost exactly one year after Stewart suffered a compound leg fracture during a sprint car race in Iowa. RIP Kevin Ward Jr.
Photo Credit: Twitter
[…] not be charged. A grand jury reviewed all of the evidence and decided not to charge Stewart of any crime. Stewart ran over Ward Jr. when Ward exited his vehicle to confront Stewart after he crashed […]