Thread: I can't believe this video, crazy sad.

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Just found this. Here's a link to a very well written piece from a Motorsports writer who knows what he's talking about, as well as knows Tony Stewart quite well. A good read;

Yes, Tony Stewart did run over a fellow driver, who was killed. But know the whole story. | News | Motorsport.com

thank you

Originally Posted by MelloYello

Not an opinion just passing along FWIW
Tony Stewart's history of rage as charges not been ruled out | Mail Online

The Daily Mail is a Brit rag with articles written by hacks who have no expertise in the areas they cover and editors that can neither write nor spell plain English. Most of their "information" is gathered on-line or from other sources and re-written. (... and using the word "written" is being more than generous."

The Brits call this rag "The Daily Fail."

As mentioned by others here this is a very sad story for the family, friends and crew / race team of this young man. Now I have never driven a sprint car or any other form of dirt track race car on a track competitively but have crewed on an A Grade Saloon car so have spend some time pit side of a few race tracks. I have also seen first hand how competitive drivers can be around the pits let alone out on the track so can understand how emotions can run wild but that young man allowed his emotions get in the way of making a sensible decision to remain in his car which sadly cost him the ultimate cost, his life. I too agree with Dave, rules will need to be tightened so that this sort of tragedy is never repeated.

as many times as i`ve just watched the same videos everyone else has all i can say is if the kid had not been killed the first thing out of his mouth would have been " i got too close to tony`s car " .... there is no fault here ...even the rev on the engine and the swerve came after the impact . ...

Well I can tell you this, having raced and owned sprints & midgets for 30 some odd years and having been around and raced Tony, Did he run over that kid on purpose ? ABSOLUTELY NOT ! Will he ruff you up on a race track ? ABSOLUTELY. But in that video I can see no contact, looks like Tony was walking the kid up out of the groove but no contact, Did you notice the kids flat right rear when the car came to a stop ? Regardless the kid or any body for that matter should not come out of the car unless your on fire or being burnt by hot fluids. That rule is in most of the books but until Saturday night was not enforced, It will be now and I've already got emails from the area sanctions stating such. The no enforcement deal reminds me of the track and promoter who said " There will be no fighting in my pits, but if your gonna fight it better be on my front stretch " I'm not sure what to think about Tonys car jumping sideways and only Tony will ever know for sure. I am of the opinion right or wrong that Tony may have blipped the throttle to throw a little go to hell dirt in the kids face. Regardless I know in my heart that Tony did not run him over on purpose and the kid had no business coming out of the car.

Never raced a sprint, but they raced the same night same track as us many times for exhibition /promotion. That was a long time ago, so they may be totally different today. Back then, there was an in & out box, no clutch, push start. Short wheel base, so they're dirt tracks equivalent of an AA/FA in drag racing as far as handling goes.
Who'd be expecting a guy in a black firesuit & black helmet to be running around on a dirt track at night in traffic? Could have been a little blip to scare the kid, or it could have been a reaction to " oh crap there's somebody running around on on the track, where did he come from?" We have to remember we have the luxury of sitting back & analyzing, Tony had a couple seconds at most to react. Car in front of him swerves & boom all of a sudden there's a pedestrian where there shouldn't be a pedestrian.

Quote:"Tony may have blipped the throttle to throw a little go to hell dirt in the kids face. " My opinion also, based on many, many years of racing! A fatal decision for the Ward family. I just hope Tony does what is right here, no matter the consequences. That family is surely struggling to cope with all this.