Tony Stewart

Mr Furious · 08-10-2014, 11:45

Homicide? Hard to say. The kid shouldn’t have been walking in the middle of the track under yellow, a foolish act that proved fatal. Was Stewart’s move intentional? This is the best video I’ve seen of the events and I can’t really tell, but for being under caution he is certainly moving a bit fast. Many say he stepped on the gas, and I guess the investigation should uncover all of that. He sure has a history of being a hot head, and an overall arrogant asshole. I was appalled that his management initially said that he would be racing today “business as usual.” Glad to see they did a 180 and pulled him from the race, and probably did so under pressure. http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=969_1407652422

Sdiver · 08-10-2014, 11:57

Looking at that video, I don't think Stewart was driving "that" fast. He appeared to be driving the same speed (caution) as the other drivers.

The driver who wiped out is more to blame than Stewart.

He appeared to be wanting to confront the driver that sent him into the wall by standing in the middle of the track. Granted it was Stewart who put that driver into the wall, but even that didn't look to be on purpose. Although, it is Sprint car, so that very well could have been intentional.

It was night and that driver was dressed in black, which would make him even more difficult to see.

When Stewart initially hit the driver, his vehicle swerves, which looks as if that swerve is caused by the impact.

IMO I don't think Stewart maliciously went after that guy. Just an unfortunate set of circumstances.

Let's see what the investigation shows .....

PSM · 08-10-2014, 13:05

Tony's always been a hot head, so I'll call him guilty until proven innocent.

Drivers often get out to confront others under yellow. Tony's even thrown his helmet at other drivers.

Pat

Richard · 08-10-2014, 14:26

Standing in the track on the outside of a curve - Stewart's car was pretty close behind the blue car coming out of the curve and I doubt he saw the guy in the track until it was too late to correct.

I used to go to dirt tracks and drag races when growing up out here and have been a NASCAR fan for years - s**t happens when everybody is doing everything right...but especially when you're doing really stupid s**t like walking out onto the track at night on a curve when drivers are still racing.

Last mistake he'll ever make.

Richard

**The Reaper** · 08-10-2014, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Standing in the track on the outside of a curve - Stewart's car was pretty close behind the blue car coming out of the curve and I doubt he saw the guy in the track until it was too late to correct.

I used to go to dirt tracks and drag races when growing up out here and have been a NASCAR fan for years - s**t happens when everybody is doing everything right...but especially when you're doing really stupid s**t like walking out onto the track at night on a curve when drivers are still racing.

Last mistake he'll ever make.

Richard

I concur.

Especially in a black suit and a black helmet.

TR

cedsall · 08-10-2014, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Standing in the track on the outside of a curve - Stewart's car was pretty close behind the blue car coming out of the curve and I doubt he saw the guy in the track until it was too late to correct.

I used to go to dirt tracks and drag races when growing up out here and have been a NASCAR fan for years - s**t happens when everybody is doing everything right...but especially when you're doing really stupid s**t like walking out onto the track at night on a curve when drivers are still racing.

Last mistake he'll ever make.

Richard

Fully agree with that.

My home town is Watkins Glen, NY. I've seen a fair amount of racing although Watkins is a road track and when I left there to join the Army they were racing Formula 1. Still, regardless of the cars/track, getting out of your car and walking into the center of the track, even with the caution flag out is not a smart move. It's a tragedy all around but probably not Stewart's fault.

The main reason the Watkins Glen track was built was due to a fatality from the days when they ran the race through the roads outside the village. The main straight-away and start/finish line were the main street through town. During one of the races in the 50s, a spectator wandered out into the street and was killed by one of the cars. If memory serves, they stopped racing in Watkins for a couple of years until the track was built.

striveseekfind · 08-10-2014, 16:42

cedsall,

The accident happened in Canandaigua. That's about 30 minutes from where I am in Rochester (Henrietta area). They have a dirt track there, and Tony Stewart was slated to race today in Watkins Glen.

**The Reaper** · 08-10-2014, 17:25

J.D McDuffie died racing at the Glen 23 years ago tomorrow.

TR

**The Reaper** · 08-10-2014, 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocIllinois

Prayers out to Kevin Ward's family. I'm sure he was a good kid and working hard grinding away in the northeast sprint car circuit.

Tony Stewart is a hothead, like most other professional racing drivers, but....

From paragraph 6-2 of the NASCAR rulebook, section C:

"Competitors are also solely and directly responsible for the safety of their race cars and racing equipment and are obligated to perform their duties (whether as a car owner, driver, or crew member) in a manner designed to minimize to the degree possible the risk of injury to themselves and others."

I will be very surprised if its found that Mr. Ward was engaging in behavior designed to minimize risk of injury to himself and others. Perhaps this will apply to Tony, too, after a proper investigation.

It was a Sprint car race, not NASCAR, unless NASCAR is the new sanctioning body.

Your point remains valid though.

TR

mangler · 08-10-2014, 22:25

I ran a 360 sprint car for over ten years before the sport got too big for my pocket book. Looking at the videos from that accident, I don't think any good driver would have done anything different than what was shown in the videos. Driving a sprint car is a lot like driving a jet boat or a jet ski. The throttle controls the car. The lack of visibility from the cockpit is a huge factor as well. While I feel sorry for the kid, he had been racing since he was four years old. He knew better than to walk out on the track like that. I've seen people do the same thing over the years and some of them have gotten hurt, one is in a wheelchair now and will be for the rest of his life. I feel sorry for all parties involved.

cbtengr · 08-11-2014, 04:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broadsword2004

Just curious, but what do four year-olds race?

Go carts, I am pretty sure most of the NASCAR guys got their start with them also.

JJ_BPK · 08-11-2014, 05:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broadsword2004

Just curious, but what do four year-olds race?

Kid Kart Class

Quote:

Kid Kart (ages 5-8)

Whether you’re looking to groom the next Formula 1 star or just looking to enjoy motorsports with the entire family and your young driver is age 5-8, the Kid Kart class is for you. With safety and fun the first considerations, the purpose of the Kid Kart class is to introduce young drivers to the fundamentals of karting. Accordingly, many of the mechanical variables are fixed so that the emphasis is on working with the driver rather than the equipment. Everything from engine to gear ratio and tires are specified for all competitors. At some clubs the kid kart class is a ‘participation only’ class with no awards for finishing position, just a participation award. Other clubs consider the class like any other and allow kids to compete for points championships.

While many of the Kid Kart class rules are the same across the country, rules do vary by club so it’s always a good idea to check with your local club or track operator for their specific rules.
Kid Kart Essentials

Kid kart

Note: these are only general guidelines - be sure to check with your local club for specific rules.

All drivers must have attained the age of 5 and can compete through the calendar year of their 8th birthday.
Combined kart & driver weight must meet the minimum requirement (usually 125 to 150 lbs.) at the end of each race.
Engine: 50cc Comer C-50 or C-51. All engines are to remain stock and untouched from manufacturer though competitors regularly have the engines ‘blueprinted’ by shops specializing in kart engines.
Fuel: gas & oil only, usually specified by track.
Spec Gearing: 219 chain, 10 tooth driver, 89 tooth rear sprocket.
Karts: No offset karts allowed, maximum width: 42”, wheelbase: 29”-31”.
Rear Bumper: Continuous loop shaped with vertical or angled bracing connecting upper and lower loop rails. Bumper must protect rear tires.
Tires: Brand and compound usually specified by track, size: 4.50 x 10-5 or 4.60 x 10-5, maximum circumference: 33.75”.
Spec Chain Guard: Chain guard is to completely cover chain when viewed from above.

ref link:

Old Dog New Trick · 08-11-2014, 08:27

I think it was his racing number.

I'm not superstitious or anything but, if your number is 13 and you chose to wear all black and run around on a race track at night pointing fingers while others are still racing; that seems pretty much like Darwin is a member of your family.

You'd think he'd have gained the SA to know how dangerous that is.

RIP young man,

Unless your car is on fire, I'll bet the rules say - stay in it!

PSM · 08-11-2014, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

It was a Sprint car race, not NASCAR, unless NASCAR is the new sanctioning body.

Doesn't really matter. The rules concerning actions under "yellow" are universal. PLUS, he makes his living on a race track which includes driving at night and interfacing with people on the track and scurrying around pit lane. He was there to set the example to the youngsters of how to behave. He's never been good at that on the track. Off the track, he seems to have been completely different.

Pat

Red Flag 1 · 08-11-2014, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocIllinois

Prayers out to Kevin Ward's family. I'm sure he was a good kid and working hard grinding away in the northeast sprint car circuit.

Tony Stewart is a hothead, like most other professional racing drivers, but....

From paragraph 6-2 of the NASCAR rulebook, section C:

"Competitors are also solely and directly responsible for the safety of their race cars and racing equipment and are obligated to perform their duties (whether as a car owner, driver, or crew member) in a manner designed to minimize to the degree possible the risk of injury to themselves and others."

I will be very surprised if its found that Mr. Ward was engaging in behavior designed to minimize risk of injury to himself and others. Perhaps this will apply to Tony, too, after a proper investigation.

Agree, doc. I ran SCCA/open wheel at the Glen and other tracks in the North East. It was lightyears ago, but the physical contact, so common with stock/sprint car racing, always was forigen to me. Touch another open wheel race car with a wheel, and the price was very high. Vision was always an issue, and just went with the territory. There was always oil and crap from the track on the windscreens. Knowing that, it just seemed nuts to me to stay on the track with other race cars flying past. The rule was, that if you could exit the race car, do so and leave the track. Staying in the race car was bad enough to me. Another race car hitting me was always the big worry that just increased the risk of more contact, entrapment, and fire. Standing on the track was just pure suicide. Doing so at night in black Nomex was worse. Walking into other racing cars........well. Very hard to watch the video, and very sad to see happen. Prayers out to all touched by this tragic event.

My $.02.