Grand jury decision on Tony.

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There is only two ways to get run over by the back wheel on a sprint car IMO, the driver spins the car and the rear moves out, or the person on the track gets tangled up by being too close. They all looked at the films and said Tony went straight. If the Wards can't accept that Tony said it was an accident, and the grand jury said it was an accident, I feel sorry for them on one hand, but on the other side, dragging Tony thru the mud will make it hard for me to have much sympathy, apparently they don't have much if they go that route..
 
would this still be being discussed if it was joe blow at a local dirt track that accidently hit and the person died????
 
Didn't go back and read everything so this may have already been posted.....

In an open letter provided to USA Today, Wendi Ward disputed toxicology reports and a statement by Ontario County (NY) District Attorney Michael Tantillo that Ward, Jr., had enough marijuana in his system to impair his judgment at the time of the Aug. 9 incident at Canandaigua Motorsports Park.

“(Marijuana is) known to mellow a person," she wrote. "We understand that the report showed marijuana, but we as a family don't believe he was under the influence or impaired at the time, due to the 10 hours prior to the race that he spent with the family."

She also repeated her earlier claims that Stewart was careless, or intentionally attempted to intimidate her nephew on the night of his death.

"Tell me how a NASCAR star totally forgot what ‘caution’ means," she wrote. "Maybe he should get a different headset so he is able to hear on the radio that the car in caution is up high, so go low. Or was he low until he rounded the corner and saw Kevin Jr. standing up for himself?"

Sprint Cars are not equipped with two-way radios allowing drivers to communicate with their pit crews.



from here
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Didn't go back and read everything so this may have already been posted.....

In an open letter provided to USA Today, Wendi Ward disputed toxicology reports and a statement by Ontario County (NY) District Attorney Michael Tantillo that Ward, Jr., had enough marijuana in his system to impair his judgment at the time of the Aug. 9 incident at Canandaigua Motorsports Park.

“(Marijuana is) known to mellow a person," she wrote. "We understand that the report showed marijuana, but we as a family don't believe he was under the influence or impaired at the time, due to the 10 hours prior to the race that he spent with the family."

She also repeated her earlier claims that Stewart was careless, or intentionally attempted to intimidate her nephew on the night of his death.

"Tell me how a NASCAR star totally forgot what ‘caution’ means," she wrote. "Maybe he should get a different headset so he is able to hear on the radio that the car in caution is up high, so go low. Or was he low until he rounded the corner and saw Kevin Jr. standing up for himself?"

Sprint Cars are not equipped with two-way radios allowing drivers to communicate with their pit crews.



from here
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Uneducated woman who hasnt a damn clue what shes talking about is publicly defending Kevin. Her family needs to get her far far away from reporters.
 
Full Transcript Of Wendi Ward's Open Letter


"First and most importantly, I want to say that no matter what people think or say, our family does not need others to determine what we feel or know about Kevin Ward Jr.

He is our blood, our friend, our champion. Always has been and always will be. What I want people to understand are the questions.

Why was the toxicology report even an issue? Seems to me the wrong man was on trial. Tell me why Tony Stewart was not taken in for testing, why his car wasn't impounded. Tell me how a man the size of Kevin can make a sprint car turn to the right on impact. Tell me how a lap before (the incident) everything was fine, but the following lap was poor lighting. Tell me how a NASCAR star totally forgot what caution means.

Maybe he should get a different headset so he is able to hear on the radio that the car in caution is up high, so go low. Or was he low until he rounded the corner and saw Kevin Jr. standing up for himself?

I guess we will never know why all of this was not taken into consideration. Or will we never know why a fellow driver did not check on this young man or his family? Or do we know why? I do, because I have seen the video. It's there, and it's real.

I can't speak for others. These are my opinions and concerns. I only hope some people take a minute to make sure they have done no wrong before throwing stones.

This means nothing to me, but I want to say it is my understanding that pot stays in a person's system days, weeks, possibly months. Rumor has it that it may be legalized and prescribed for some patients, so then will these people have their drivers' licenses taken away because it makes you react – supposedly -- in a certain way?

To me, that's not the case. It's known to mellow a person. We understand that the report showed marijuana, but we as a family don't believe he was under the influence or impaired at the time due to the 10 hours prior to the race that he spent with the family.

What we do believe is that maybe people react to certain situations because of anger. I've seen it in NASCAR, sports functions and even on our own roads. And yes, these people have to pay for their actions. Well, I guess it depends on who you are.

And to end this, I've heard time and time again, "We just want Kevin's story out there." Here you go. Kevin Ward Jr. was an amazing person. His life was wrapped around family, friends and racing, which he started at age 4. Just a small-town boy having fun until the days turned into years, and it then became his passion and life. The trophies, plaques and pictures that fill his home, garage and workshop show his hard work and dedication to racing – his love for the sport.

Through it all, he had the support of his family and friends behind him. He opened his life to our community. As you would go by the shop where he and his dad worked on the car for the upcoming race or after a race, the doors would be wide open and there would always be people in and out wishing him luck, sharing a story, offering a hand or simply just standing there in their own way saying, "We're here for you, bud."

It took a lot of money to live his dream, and as a family, they were able to do that. But not once did he ever think he was better than anyone else because he could afford it. That was proven when somewhere around 1,500 people came out to support and comfort us on our darkest days. It shows how many hearts and lives he touched.

The orange, white and black that was worn in honor of our champion sprint car driver was overwhelming, to say the least.

The tracks that have since honored Kevin Ward Jr. with memorial events, his name in the ESS (Empire Super Sprints) Hall of Fame, the many lives that have been changed forever – that's all because of one person's love and respect for others. And that, to me, is what a person is made of. His smile will forever be what gets us through.

Godspeed, No. 13. Aunt Wendi loves you."
 
ChexOrWrex said:
Uneducated woman who hasnt a damn clue what shes talking about is publicly defending Kevin. Her family needs to get her far far away from reporters.
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I have a feeling that family is full of people just like her. Scarier yet, she may be the sharpest knife in the entire family drawer.
 
Tony appeared to be genuinely hurting. He says he'll be available if the family wants to talk to him. The ball in in their court, it's their choice to accept his death and move on or to continue on a path that will ultimately consume them alive.
 
When someone comments from the family after a death of a sibling, cousin or in-law, they will consistently describe the deceased as having the ability to walk on water, such is the comments here. It is human nature, let the money hunt begin.
 
sdj said:
When someone comments from the family after a death of a sibling, cousin or in-law, they will consistently describe the deceased as having the ability to walk on water, such is the comments here. It is human nature, let the money hunt begin.
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I wonder if Tony will give money just to make the hurt go away.
 
I reckon Kevin had an escort and they can account for every second of that 10 hours. I believe her.:bsflag: :puffin: :cheers:
 
"To me, that's not the case. It's known to mellow a person. We understand that the report showed marijuana, but we as a family don't believe he was under the influence or impaired at the time due to the 10 hours prior to the race that he spent with the family."

Marijuana may "mellow" some people, but another of it's effects is to significantly reduce a users inhibitions.

Assuming the Medical Examiner's report is correct, and Ward had ingested enough marijuana to result in his impairment, it is completely within reason to believe the effects of the drug, combined with his anger, caused him to exercise extremely poor judgment, and walk into the path of Stewart's car. Apparently, the investigation revealed that Ward walked into the path of the car directly in front of Stewart's, but the driver was able to swerve around Ward. Unfortunately, Stewart wasn't able to see Ward in time to avoid striking him.
 
honu said:
"To me, that's not the case. It's known to mellow a person. We understand that the report showed marijuana, but we as a family don't believe he was under the influence or impaired at the time due to the 10 hours prior to the race that he spent with the family."

Marijuana may "mellow" some people, but another of it's effects is to significantly reduce a users inhibitions.

Assuming the Medical Examiner's report is correct, and Ward had ingested enough marijuana to result in his impairment, it is completely within reason to believe the effects of the drug, combined with his anger, caused him to exercise extremely poor judgment, and walk into the path of Stewart's car. Apparently, the investigation revealed that Ward walked into the path of the car directly in front of Stewart's, but the driver was able to swerve around Ward. Unfortunately, Stewart wasn't able to see Ward in time to avoid striking him.
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From a Government site on DUI, the effects of marijuana wear off in 2 to 4 hours after ingestion, which means we need to know what time he got to the track, when I raced we were there well more than 4 hrs, assuming the same is true here, for Kevin to be high in the car he would have to of smoked in the pits, the pits at this race are going to be packed and we all know how much weed stinks, I'm not saying it didn't happen I'm just saying the way weed smells, as crowded as the pits are at a race track it's hard to believe that no one smelled it. Seems strange no one has come forward.
 
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dpkimmel2001 said:
I thought the investigation was over. No?
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I know, and I've only replied to this thread twice, but so many have thrown this kid under the bus saying he was stoned driving, I just think there are way to many variables for that to be 100% true. Maybe it is, but also it may not be.
 
DanicaFreak said:
I wonder if Tony will give money just to make the hurt go away.
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He's under no obligation to offer anything. If he offers a settlement the family will push for him to admit he killed him on purpose. Even if there's a confidentiality agreement things get leaked and as outspoken as auntie wendi is the ink won't be dry before she blabs. I understand the family is hurting but outside of their small community they're coming across as asshats IMHO.
Best for Tony to let his insurance company handle it.
 
Dwayne said:
From a Government site on DUI, the effects of marijuana wear off in 2 to 4 hours after ingestion, which means we need to know what time he got to the track, when I raced we were there well more than 4 hrs, assuming the same is true here, for Kevin to be high in the car he would have to of smoked in the pits, the pits at this race are going to be packed and we all know how much weed stinks, I'm not saying it didn't happen I'm just saying the way weed smells, as crowded as the pits are at a race track it's hard to believe that no one smelled it. Seems strange no one has come forward.
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Unlike alcohol, cocaine and many other commonly abused drugs, marijuana is not water soluble. It is a fat soluble, meaning the drug is not flushed from the system through the urine, but stored in the user's body fat. As a result, marijuana has a cumulative effect. Many long-term, heavy users have a "spaced out" look, even if they haven't smoked marijuana recently.

While I have no idea of the extent of Ward's marijuana usage, I hardly believe this was the first time he'd ingested the drug

One of the most dangerous effects of marijuana intoxication is that it significantly diminishes or destroys the user's depth perception.

This may very well explain Ward's behavior and why he ran into the line the cars under caution were using... he just couldn't perceive how close he was or the danger he was in.

The FAA conducted a study, the subjects being jet qualified pilots, and determined the impairment associated with using marijuana lasts for days, long after the pleasurable effects of it's use had dissipated. The evidence gathered showed significant operational errors, three days after ingesting marijuana. During interviews with the pilots, prior to the tests, they stated they felt no effects and felt they were safe to fly.

So while Ward, in all probability, was not smoking marijuana in the pits, ingestion earlier in the day, combined with the potential for cumulative effects, could provide an explanation for his odd behavior and risky actions just prior to being struck.

As I said earlier, I have no way of knowing how much or little marijuana Ward ingested the day of the incident, or his history of drug abuse. But to say, categorically, the effects of marijuana usage "wears off" within 2 to 4 hours, just isn't based in all the facts.
 
Dear Wendi,

"Maybe he should get a different headset so he is able to hear on the radio that the car in caution is up high, so go low."

If the radio said that there is a guy running around the track in turn 2, all drivers should have shut their cars down. Since none did, I have to assume nobody was warned about what your nephew was doing in the low line while they scanned the high line for a wrecked CAR.

We've all seen drivers exit their cars and show their displeasure, but I've never seen one run into traffic to show his displeasure.

"Tell me why Tony Stewart was not taken in for testing, why his car wasn't impounded."

Tony was interviewed by a drug use professional who determined no testing was needed. I'm pretty sure the car WAS impounded by the police.

"Tell me how a man the size of Kevin can make a sprint car turn to the right on impact."

If you watched the video, it shows that Kevin becomes entangled in the right rear tire, causing the axel to shake violently and turning the car right and causing it to slide up the track.

"Tell me how a lap before (the incident) everything was fine, but the following lap was poor lighting."

The lighting on the track was fine for it's intended use.

"Tell me how a NASCAR star totally forgot what caution means."

In Sprint cars, they race back to the yellow, which is why you hear engines revving as they pass the camera on the front stretch.

"Why was the toxicology report even an issue?"

Because it may explain Kevin's irrational and dangerous behavior. Kevin made a SERIES of dangerous moves that sadly cost him his life.

1) Exiting the car so quickly while he knew cars would still be racing back to yellow, then slowing in turn 1 and 2. Why didn't he wait for everyone to get slowed, get their wings adjusted and get packed together?

2) Why does Kevin not realize that getting out of his car IN A TURN ON A SLICK TRACK would clearly put his life in grave danger?

3) Why does Kevin point at and run in front of the wrong car? Kevin did jump OUT OF THE PATH of that car, but it was real close.

4) Right after coming so close to being hit, Kevin runs FURTHER into turn 2, and again comes down into the running line. Why? Someone in your family called Kevin a "bit if a piss head". Does that mean he gets angry and ignores safety protocols?

5) When Kevin see's Tony's car SLIDING up the track toward him (clearly shown in the video), why does he hesitate before moving up the track and into the path of the sliding car? Someone with his track experience in races defined by sliding cars knows moving DOWN the track and OUT OF THE CARS PATH was the right move to make.

I understand the Ward family is upset, but there comes a time to leave the denial behind and accept that your son acted irrationally and made a series of dangerous moves that sadly cost him his life.
 
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FenderBumper said:
Dear Wendi,

"Maybe he should get a different headset so he is able to hear on the radio that the car in caution is up high, so go low."

If the radio said that there is a guy running around the track in turn 2, all drivers should have shut their cars down. Since none did, I have to assume nobody was warned about what your son was doing in the low line while they scanned the high line for a wrecked CAR.

We've all seen drivers exit their cars and show their displeasure, but I've never seen one run into traffic to show his displeasure.

"Tell me why Tony Stewart was not taken in for testing, why his car wasn't impounded."

Tony was interviewed by a drug use professional who determined no testing was needed. I'm pretty sure the car WAS impounded by the police.

"Tell me how a man the size of Kevin can make a sprint car turn to the right on impact."

If you watched the video, it shows that Kevin becomes entangled in the right rear tire, causing the axel to shake violently and turning the car right and causing it to slide up the track.

"Tell me how a lap before (the incident) everything was fine, but the following lap was poor lighting."

The lighting on the track was fine for it's intended use.

"Tell me how a NASCAR star totally forgot what caution means."

In Sprint cars, they race back to the yellow, which is why you hear engines revving as they pass the camera on the front stretch.

"Why was the toxicology report even an issue?"

Because it may explain Kevin's irrational and dangerous behavior. Kevin made a SERIES of dangerous moves that sadly cost him his life.

1) Exiting the car so quickly while he knew cars would still be racing back to yellow, then slowing in turn 1 and 2. Why didn't he wait for everyone to get slowed, get their wings adjusted and get packed together?

2) Why does Kevin not realize that getting out of his car IN A TURN ON A SLICK TRACK would clearly put his life in grave danger?

3) Why does Kevin point at and run in front of the wrong car? Kevin did jump OUT OF THE PATH of that car, but it was real close.

4) Right after coming so close to being hit, Kevin runs FURTHER into turn 2, and again comes down into the running line. Why? Someone in your family called Kevin a "bit if a piss head". Does that mean he gets angry and ignores safety protocols?

5) When Kevin see's Tony's car SLIDING up the track toward him (clearly shown in the video), why does he hesitate before moving up the track and into the path of the sliding car? Someone with his track experience in races defined by sliding cars knows moving DOWN the track and OUT OF THE CARS PATH was the right move to make.

I understand the Ward family is upset, but there comes a time to leave the denial behind and accept that your son acted irrationally and made a series of dangerous moves that sadly cost him his life.
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Can't agree more.
 
TexasRaceLady said:
As far as I know, winged sprints don't have radios. Has that changed?
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10. Raceceiver Radios are mandatory; we reserve the right to penalize drivers that don't run a Raceceiver. No two way radios will be allowed. Any driver who willfully ignores orders given by ASCS officials in such a way as to bring potential harm to another competitor, official, or fan will be expelled for the night.

From here. http://www.ascsracing.com/series-info/rules.aspx
 
Revman said:
IMO the presser was unfortunate and unnecessary. I also believe that it intensifies the venom. What is playing out is the big star v. the little guy. The little guy (family) didn't have a presser today. The big star did. The little guy didn't talk about losing a child. The big star talked about how hurt he is. This is not necessarily my opinion, but the angle of one side v. another. It is sad, and didn't get better today. I didn't see the point.
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(note: This post goes beyond the comment that you posted, I just put it here while replying)

The big star v little guy thought line has been played out and used against Tony since the fateful event occurred.
Go back and check out the original thread that got locked. Should you be interested and you don't have to read the whole thing just the first few pages to see how that narrative was part of the Genesis and still remains with some. And the same game was hugely played out by the media.

Tony has not pointed any fingers at the Ward family or better stated he has not insulted Kevin. While the surviving family members has repeatedly pointed the finger at Tony, and ran with the yep he is guilty let's make him suffer mentality. If anyone is acting selfishly and being insensitive it is them, with the assumption that he has not suffered enough.

I get no pleasure in that necessary acknowledgment, and I wouldn't wish for this type of tragedy upon any family, but if anybody is trying to keep this story hot it is them.
Tony simply doesn't need or want that attention, the press conference was an honest attempt at closure imo.

And Tony didn't didn't divulge the toxicology /Marijuana issue. I personally do not think that was an issue at the time of the event. But Tony had nothing to do with releasing that information either, it isn't like he ever wanted that in the news.
 
You can bet your ass the Ward's would be seeking Tony's arrest if he had the same level of THC in his system. The whole 'Kevin was perfect, Tony is the devil' routine will end up defining Kevin as 'the guy with the family that tried to cash in'.
 
Finally heard something about Patricks feelings on Stewart


http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...-kevin-ward-breast-cancer-awareness/16534097/
Tony Stewart's clearance of criminal charges in the death of Kevin Ward Jr. was a relief to Danica Patrick, who saw uncertainty take a toll on her NASCAR teammate.

"These things are exhausting, they are taxing, and they're stressful, so I'm happy that Tony can now close that chapter," Patrick told USA TODAY Sports in a phone interview Wednesday morning. "It's still going to be really difficult for him. I know that. As he has
Patrick said she has a tight enough bond with the driver-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing to get a good read on how to comfort him.

"As far as what questions to ask him, what not to ask, when to bring it up and when not to, the good thing is we're close enough and have known each other long enough, you can just ask that," Patrick said. "You can ask a question, and say, 'Look, if you don't want to talk about it we don't have to talk about it.' It's pretty simple with Tony. He's pretty open book. He's just honest. I can relate to that."
said plenty of times, a day doesn't go by that you don't think about it. It'll be that way forever. So he's going to always carry it. I feel like he deserves this chance to move on, too, and part of it is getting past the legal process. It's a terrible, unfortunate, tragic accident, and I'm sure it just takes time. But in the beginning, with all the things that had to go on with that process, there were bigger hurdles than just time.

"He's a great person. He has a huge heart. I feel like, over time, people will see that if they don't already. For people who really know him, they know how he is."


>snip



So Glad Smoke has people like Patrick, or "D" as Stewart has called her, around him.
 
Was Ward impaired at the time of the accident, we will never know. The effects of THC, like anything else, is different for different people. The level at which the average person is impaired has not been established. Some people will take a little more to reach that level, some a little less. So in that sense we will never know. But it is a fact that it was in his system. People will draw their own conclusions. To me this was accident and nothing more. If you want to place blame, you could probably spread it around to include just about anybody that was there that night. It was an unfortunate sequence of events that ended Ward's life. There is a word for that, and that word is accident.
 
We should hear more of this


http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cu...r-wins-first-race-with-help-from-tony-stewart


From the article....

October 4th is a day Eric Saunders won't soon forget. The 22-year-old sprint car racer won his first feature race in northern Indiana on that night. It's an impressive feat for anybody, but even more so for a person who can't even walk.

The day
To understand his story though, we have to go back ... Four years and 36 days exactly ... All the way back to August 29th, 2010. Saunders was an up and coming motocross rider and this date changed his life forever. He crashed; something common to motocross riders who are always on the ragged edge and pushing the limit. This time though, Eric didn't get up. He was paralyzed and lost the use of both his legs.

Stewart lends a helping hand
A lot of people reached out to the family in support of course, but one person in particular that stands out. His name is Tony Stewart.
 
@PPistone

Reprehensible coverage from some media outlet implicating Tony Stewart in Saturday night's fight and connecting to Canandaigua

This was in response of Good Morning America running a story this morning about Tony Stewart's involvement in Saturday night's post race. They were trying to show him continuing his aggressive ways while flipping back to the Ward accident.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
@PPistone

Reprehensible coverage from some media outlet implicating Tony Stewart in Saturday night's fight and connecting to Canandaigua

This was in response of Good Morning America running a story this morning about Tony Stewart's involvement in Saturday night's post race. They were trying to show him continuing his aggressive ways while flipping back to the Ward accident.
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I saw it. Reprehensible is way too mild a word for those ******* ******* *******.
 
Back to being the "old" Tony...Nice Tony only lasted till his arse was in the clear.loooooooooooooooool
BTW....It will be the latest addition of footage dating back over 20 years showing his aggressive behavior when the civil suit starts
 
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