Tony Stewart was involved in a crash late Saturday night at Canandaigua Motorsports Park near Rochester, N.Y., that resulted in the death of a 20 year old dirt track racer.

According to a report from the Ontario County Sheriff’s office, Stewart and the other driver, identified as Kevin Ward Jr., collided during a Empire Super Sprints race at the half mike dirt oval.

Kevin Ward is car # 13. After incident he got out of car and next lap got struck by the # 14 of Tony Stewart. ​ The guy died later--Kevin Ward driver of #13.​
(i thought yellow is out, think possibly Tony driving too fast, but he was also obscured by view because of #45 car right in front of him).

Last year Tony Stewart broke his leg doing this type of dirt racing, i'm hoping he gives this dirt crap up and or banned. He ia part owner of a race team and busy enough racing NASCAR. Due to this, he will not race today @ Watkins Glen Road course, and will more than likely not qualify for the playoffs (top 16 drivers eligible to win chanpionship for year). Today he will replaced by Regan Smith in the No. 14 SHR Chevrolet.


You Tube Video:

 

Wow, that was horrible.

Obviously in a race the adrenalin and other juices are gushing. That kid was clearly upset and wanted to get to the guy who caused his 'out'. He put himself squarely in harm's way.

 

Just got an update. Criminal charges not pending---at least not yet. Still investigating wanting more videos from people. Cival court case?
I don't think Tony should be banned but I really don't think he should be dirt track racing. Sure he brings in the crowds to help keep it going, and this is probably how he started in his earlier years but he has grey hair! I thought he would have grown out of it and concentrate on his team ownership of Nascar and his driving.
This incident will hurt his public figure and he may lose sponsors. This may be costly to the organization as his dirt track controversies will harm his Nascar team, especially when you look at the big picture. If he was only a driver, it may not be so bad but he owns 50% of Stewart-Haas racing team which also has drivers: Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick and Danica Patrick. Keeping sponsors for all these teams will now certainly be more difficult.
This is a public relations nightmare. Tony, please quit the dirt tracking!

 

After viewing clips on you-tube, Tony Stewart is guilty of hitting Kevin Ward Jr. Maybe not intentionally, but he was stupid enough to try and get close enough to scare the young guy and f**ked it up.

 

Tony's Schedule Updated:

Tony Stewart will not drive this weekend in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway. Instead, Jeff Burton will drive the No. 14 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing at the 2-mile track.

Earlier this week, Stewart canceled plans to race at Plymouth Speedway (in Indiana) this weekend. In fact, Stewart's racing plans outside NASCAR have been canceled and will not resume until further notice.

 (Dirt Tracking).

I can imagine he would not be welcome at any dirt track event, and Tony's life could be in jeopardy.

 

Drivers are reminded to stay in their vehicles during the drivers' meeting held before every NASCAR national series race, a practice that Pemberton called "informal, but just an understanding over the years." Friday's addendum -- Section 9-16: On-Track Incident Procedure -- outlines and expands upon that reminder, adding that potential penalties for violations of the new rule would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Exceptions to the rule would be made for instances of fire, smoke in the cockpit or other emergency situations that would require expedited egress.

The rule also cautions both drivers and crew members from approaching any part of the racing surface, apron or any moving vehicles.

"It's a behavioral penalty," Pemberton said. "We'll acknowledge it when it happens."

Drivers have a long history in NASCAR of expressing displeasure toward their rivals after crashes, ranging from mere hand gestures up to thrown heat shields from driving shoes or hurled racing helmets. In doing so, they have either delayed or disregarded directives from series, track or safety officials.

In last Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Watkins Glen International, JJ Yeley exited his car to show his disdain for Trevor Bayne after a midrace crash. Yeley delayed walking to the ambulance and safety crew, instead opting to gesture at Bayne's car during the caution period before making the mandatory trip to the infield care center. Under the new rules, such a display would result in a penalty.

From: Pemberton announces on-track incident rules | NASCAR.com

 

Tony Stewart May Race this weekend Sun night @ Atlanta for NASCAR.

In a statement, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O'Donnell said: "Tony Stewart has received all necessary clearances required to return to all racing activities, and therefore is eligible to compete this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. NASCAR has remained in constant contact with his race team, and we will stay very close to this situation as Stewart returns to competition."

Tony Stewart will speak to the media at 1 p.m. ET at the infield media center at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He will be joined by Stewart-Haas Racing Executive Vice President Brett Frood. That availability will be streamed live on NASCAR.com.

NASCAR President Mike Helton will participate in a media availability in the Atlanta Motor Speedway media center on Friday at 2 p.m. ET. NASCAR will have no further comment until that time. That availability will be streamed live on NASCAR.com.

After sitting out the past three races, Stewart is 26th in points. To be eligible for this year's Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, a driver must attempt to qualify for all 26 races leading up to the Chase and be in the top 30 in points.

However, according to NASCAR, for rare instances the requirement can be waived as long as the driver is in the top 30. It is not known if Stewart would receive a waiver.

Stewart is returning to a track where he has fared well in his career. In 26 starts, he has three wins, 10 top-five finishes, 15 top-10 finishes and a pole. In the past nine years, he also has the third-highest driver rating at the track (100.2).

 

GRAND JURY: NO CHARGES AGAINST TONY STEWART
The two charges it considered were second degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
Tantillo said of the two dozen-plus witnesses that testified, they included two accident reconstructionists, eye-witnesses, track workers and medical responders along with photographs and two video recordings.
Tantillo said there was a toxicologist report conducted on Ward and it found that Ward was under the influence of marijuana "enough to impair judgment."
The one video previously made public shows Ward's and Stewart's cars collide while racing on the tight 0.375-mile dirt track in Upstate New York, then Ward quickly getting out of his hobbled car and coming down toward the racing line to confront Stewart during the caution laps that ensued. Stewart's car struck Ward, who was pronounced dead upon his arrival at a local hospital.

more: Grand jury: No charges against Tony Stewart