The Official Dirt Track Racing Thread

#52
#52
#53
#53
@passantino: Just In: Driver Kevin Ward Jr., who was hit by Tony Stewart’s car, has died, according to Ontario County Sheriff Phil Povero - @13WHAM
 
#54
#54
@jim_utter: NEWS: Sources close to Stewart say at this time, Stewart still plans to compete in Sunday's race at Watkins Glen International.
 
#56
#56
RockVol said:
@jim_utter: NEWS: Sources close to Stewart say at this time, Stewart still plans to compete in Sunday's race at Watkins Glen International.
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NASCAR won't allow it. I am holding off judgment as it does look to be a tragic accident prayers to the ward family
 
#57
#57
Still, this would have all been avoided if Ward didn't approach those oncoming cars. I've been surprised that stuff like this hasn't happened before. I remember specifically Kurt Busch getting within feet of Jimmy Spencer's car after a wreck in the early 00s at Indy or even Stewart forcing his head in the cockpit of Kenny Irwin's car at Martinsville.

Such a tragic accident and a huge black eye
 
#58
#58
gordonr24 said:
Still, this would have all been avoided if Ward didn't approach those oncoming cars. I've been surprised that stuff like this hasn't happened before. I remember specifically Kurt Busch getting within feet of Jimmy Spencer's car after a wreck in the early 00s at Indy or even Stewart forcing his head in the cockpit of Kenny Irwin's car at Martinsville.

Such a tragic accident and a huge black eye
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The car before Stewarts had to get into the gas to swerve and miss Ward. I do think it should be a mandatory rule for all drivers to remain in the car. I know it is a track rule for some dirt tracks.
 
#59
#59
gordonr24 said:
Still, this would have all been avoided if Ward didn't approach those oncoming cars. I've been surprised that stuff like this hasn't happened before. I remember specifically Kurt Busch getting within feet of Jimmy Spencer's car after a wreck in the early 00s at Indy or even Stewart forcing his head in the cockpit of Kenny Irwin's car at Martinsville.

Such a tragic accident and a huge black eye
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wwc8obMmv7o

NASCAR has been feeding this behavior.
 
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#60
#60
rocktopper16 said:
The car before Stewarts had to get into the gas to swerve and miss Ward. I do think it should be a mandatory rule for all drivers to remain in the car. I know it is a track rule for some dirt tracks.
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Doesn't look that way. Stewart just ran a lot closer than the prior car.
 
#62
#62
Maybe this will become a mandatory rule, to make drivers stay in their cars, unless there's certain circumstances such as a fire.
 
#64
#64
Nerd-Vol said:
Oh god. That's horrifying in slow-mo. I can't really say rockytopper. Why did he step the back end out? Tragic all around.
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My best friend races down here at Milton. The right rear tire is bigger than the other three to help turn the car. So when tony gunned it IMO he was trying to avoid hitting the kid. No one will ever know but Tony. My deepest prayers go with the Ward family tonight though. I couldn't fathom seeing my son get hit.. People don't understand that when you're a driver you know you could die when you strap on that helmet. They sacrifice there life everytime they turn that switch. They all know it's worth it because they are doing what they love.

But, I will tell you if he races today i will not watch it.
 
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#65
#65
rocktopper16 said:
My best friend races down here at Milton. The right rear tire is bigger than the other three to help turn the car. So when tony gunned it IMO he was trying to avoid hitting the kid. No one will ever know but Tony. My deepest prayers go with the Ward family tonight though. I couldn't fathom seeing my son get hit.. People don't understand that when you're a driver you know you could die when you strap on that helmet. They sacrifice there life everytime they turn that switch. They all know it's worth it because they are doing what they love.

But, I will tell you if he races today i will not watch it.
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Well then don't turn on the race today. He's racing.
 
#66
#66
rocktopper16 said:
My best friend races down here at Milton. The right rear tire is bigger than the other three to help turn the car. So when tony gunned it IMO he was trying to avoid hitting the kid. No one will ever know but Tony.
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The car in front swerved (45 I think) to miss him too. I think I lean toward what you said. People don't understand the difference between driving a sprint car and street car, or even the difference between it and a stock car.
 
#67
#67
After watching, I don't think it looked like he tried to run over him. And just because Stewart has shown a temper in the past doesn't mean he'd try to run over somebody. He knows what could happen. Unfortunately, it looks like the driver who was hit came down in the path of the cars.
 
#68
#68
My initial, gut reaction after seeing that slo-mo video is that this was an accident. Would really need to see TS's car a few seconds prior to this to see if he purposely drove his car closer to the guy. Tony's car had almost cleared the guy but snagged him with the right rear. If Tony wanted to hit him, can't see him saying "I'll take him out by hitting him with the right rear of my car." This is just my initial reaction. Could be more conclusive video out there. You'd think there be all kinds of video with TS driving in that local race and all.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#69
#69
After reading the initial news and being a bit influenced by the way the article was written, I was under the impression that Tony blatantly hit a walking driver in anger. His past temper issues helped fuel that initial opinion, but I don't see how a driver could be so enraged that he chooses to strike another driver, especially one out of his car. And even if they could, in my opinion I see no reason why Tony could get to that level of anger after a rather ordinary crash. It would take a truly sick human being to make a choice to hit a driver intentionally, of which I don't believe Tony is. Tony may have hit the gas to show his equal displeasure with Ward Jr., and due to that, a horrible accident occurred. We just don't know yet though.
 
#70
#70
SyxxSynse said:
After reading the initial news and being a bit influenced by the way the article was written, I was under the impression that Tony blatantly hit a walking driver in anger. His past temper issues helped fuel that initial opinion, but I don't see how a driver could be so enraged that he chooses to strike another driver, especially one out of his car. And even if they could, in my opinion I see no reason why Tony could get to that level of anger after a rather ordinary crash. It would take a truly sick human being to make a choice to hit a driver intentionally, of which I don't believe Tony is. Tony may have hit the gas to show his equal displeasure with Ward Jr., and due to that, a horrible accident occurred. We just don't know yet though.
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This is what I believe happened.

His temper has always been a problem and last night it was a contributing factor in someone losing their life.
 
#72
#72
SyxxSynse said:
After reading the initial news and being a bit influenced by the way the article was written, I was under the impression that Tony blatantly hit a walking driver in anger. His past temper issues helped fuel that initial opinion, but I don't see how a driver could be so enraged that he chooses to strike another driver, especially one out of his car. And even if they could, in my opinion I see no reason why Tony could get to that level of anger after a rather ordinary crash. It would take a truly sick human being to make a choice to hit a driver intentionally, of which I don't believe Tony is. Tony may have hit the gas to show his equal displeasure with Ward Jr., and due to that, a horrible accident occurred. We just don't know yet though.
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I think this is absolutely correct. Makes no sense why that initial accident would've cause Stewart to lose his mind and intentionally hit the guy or try to hit him. Were the two of them racing really aggressively against each other all night? I don't know. Ward was dressed in black it appeared. I think TS probably saw him but too late. Not even sure TS would've expected the guy to be outraged over that initial contact. Having said all that, it is just a terrible tragedy for this kid and his family. Very sad.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#74
#74
gordonr24 said:
No way Stewart did it intentionally but in the public eye, he really hurt himself.
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I agree...if it had been anyone else I don't think the possibility of it being intentional would ever even enter the conversation. It's a terrible accident and a shame it happened. I never have understood why guys get out of their cars in anger...so dangerous and careless. Doing so is a tragedy like this just waiting to happen.
 
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