Tony Stewart running over someone?

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Tony's gonna race again. There isn't anyone else out their that love racing more than he does. Even if his sponsors bail, he's got enough money to race dirt tracks the rest of his life.
 
racer8 said:
I'm kinda thinking he has a team of lawyers telling him to lay low until the whole police investigation deal is over.
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I agree with that 100%.
Smoke will mostly likely not be charged with any crime.
But ..... he still has to face the court of public opinion, and right now, I think the perception the general public has of Tony is that he is at the very least a bully, and at worse a killer.
I think he will make one more "gee this is a terrible tragedy" statement, and then withdrawal from the remainder of this years races.
Tony Stewarts name will forever be linked to the death of Kevin Ward and there will never be a 100% definitive answer to the question of what Tony thought and saw in those few seconds before hitting Ward.
Tony and his team can only hope and pray that the racing fans in the USA have short memories.
 
Speedbowl14 said:
Tony's gonna race again. There isn't anyone else out their that love racing more than he does. Even if his sponsors bail, he's got enough money to race dirt tracks the rest of his life.
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If he does leave nascar, (which I think depends on how close he was to retiring), that's what I see him doing.
 
Tony is always going to be involved in motorsports IMO. His hero and mentor is A.J. Foyt who is in his 80's and is still an active car owner. He can do about whatever he wants, he owns an open wheel sprint team, already owns a Nascar team, and in the future after he retires from Nascar anyway, who knows, he might start an indycar team. Most of the teams in Nascar won't let their drivers race in any other series unless it is for them or they have permission. Tony is above that so to speak and can make his own decisions about where and what he races. nothing he can say right now that won't get twisted around by the harpies and the press. My guess is that he will probably have very little to say until after the investigation is finished. In the mean time, we have to put up with the newbies around here acting like they are race fans.
 
StandOnIt said:
Tony is always going to be involved in motorsports IMO. His hero and mentor is A.J. Foyt who is in his 80's and is still an active car owner. He can do about whatever he wants, he owns an open wheel sprint team, already owns a Nascar team, and in the future after he retires from Nascar anyway, who knows, he might start an indycar team. Most of the teams in Nascar won't let their drivers race in any other series unless it is for them or they have permission. Tony is above that so to speak and can make his own decisions about where and what he races. nothing he can say right now that won't get twisted around by the harpies and the press. My guess is that he will probably have very little to say until after the investigation is finished. In the mean time, we have to put up with the newbies around here acting like they are race fans.
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they're experts and historians to.
 
Isn't it wise for informed race fans to wait and see what the investigation can confirm before we take sides?
Ward was killed during the race in fairly spectacular fashion and his death deserves and requires a thorough investigation by authorities before us fans reach our own conclusions.

It just seems prudent to me. But guess I'm in the minority.
 
Clutch said:
Isn't it wise for informed race fans to wait and see what the investigation can confirm before we take sides?
Ward was killed during the race in fairly spectacular fashion and his death deserves and requires a thorough investigation by authorities before us fans reach our own conclusions.

It just seems prudent to me. But guess I'm in the minority.
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No, you are not in the minority. I want a thorough investigation.
 
Clutch said:
Isn't it wise for informed race fans to wait and see what the investigation can confirm before we take sides?
Ward was killed during the race in fairly spectacular fashion and his death deserves and requires a thorough investigation by authorities before us fans reach our own conclusions.

It just seems prudent to me. But guess I'm in the minority.
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Why would this only apply to informed race fans? I have an even better idea...how about ALL people, each and every time an investigation into ANY incident is required.
 
Allenbaba said:
Why would this only apply to informed race fans? I have an even better idea...how about ALL people, each and every time an investigation into ANY incident is required.
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TexasRaceLady said:
Now you're asking for the sun, the moon and the stars. But I sure wish it would happen.
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I can only speak for myself on this but will freely admit that I have been guilty of this - even if only on a smaller scale.
.
I will also say that I have an idea of what happened last Saturday night but am completely willing to accpet that I'm wrong.
 
Smoke IMHO doesn't owe anybody anything at this point. The way this man has been treated by the press, the family of the deceased and a slew of nobodies has been reprehensible at best. Folks, under the most supervised conditions racing is a very dangerous sport where attention to every detail is even more important.

This thing will eventually be sorted out and Tony will be strapping up to compete again this year IMO and he should, it's his life and a love for what he does that has brought him to being one of the best in motorsports.

I can see many retractions and apologies bestowed on Tony when the dust settles from all the knee-jerk reactions of the uninformed. This is truly a tragic event that doesn't eclipse or was any more horrific than any others that have transpired before it.

All parties involved will have to carry their fair share of responsibility. I don't know what Tony could have done to avoid this situation other than never show up at that track in the first place. Who here, or anywhere else for that matter should control the life of another person as to what he/she should or shouldn't be able to do???
 
Clutch said:
Isn't it wise for informed race fans to wait and see what the investigation can confirm before we take sides?
Ward was killed during the race in fairly spectacular fashion and his death deserves and requires a thorough investigation by authorities before us fans reach our own conclusions.

It just seems prudent to me. But guess I'm in the minority.
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I, for one. am looking forward to the conclusion to the investigation and the final word on this incident. However, I think there will be those that will not agree with whatever the final word will be. There will always be those that think Tony acted deliberately. There will be those that feel that this was nothing more than a tragic racing accident. Unfortunately, I don't think the opposing opinions will accept the conclusion to the investigation.
 
Wingnutcnc said:
Do you have a reliable link or source pointing your accusations out as fact and not just your opinion???? If not quit, spreading lies based on your opinion, it's shows the mentally challenged aspect of your thought process all to clearly.
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Please look up what "IMO" means.

As to Stewart's and GZ's actions, those were confirmed by GZ himself and I pasted the direct quotes early in this thread.
 
harkin said:
Please look up what "IMO" means.

As to Stewart's and GZ's actions, those were confirmed by GZ himself and I pasted the direct quotes early in this thread.
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Oh I get it now, they should have just shut down the other 3 teams, drivers and crews just because your opinion is so important, got cha there big boi.
 
Greg said:
I like your writing.

But as a big Dale Sr fan the I have to say thay wasn't Sterlings fault.
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I agree it wasn't his fault either...but I clearly remember people blaming him right after it happened. I am no Dale fan, he made just as many inflammatory remarks as has Stewart about wrecking people...Dale is lucky no one ever died from one of his, let's be honest here, purposely putting someone upside down.

Tony Stewart is a competitive hothead, for sure.

Killer, no way.

AJMHO
 
Harvick on Stewart.....

Kevin Harvick, who finished second to Jeff Gordon Sunday, said after Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 at the Michigan two-mile superspeedway that the media has given an inaccurate portrayal of Stewart in the days following the accident. Harvick joined Stewart-Haas Racing this season and is longtime friends with the 43-year old Stewart.

“That’s the part that has bothered me the most, the poor representation by the media,” Harvick said. “It has been a difficult week. The hardest part for me is the way the whole media thing has kind of shaken down.”

Stewart has not been charged in the incident, although police stated that the investigation is ongoing. Stewart released a prepared statement prior to the Aug. 10 Watkins Glen race and hasn’t commented since. Burton finished 37th Sunday, 24 laps down.

“It is an absolute tragic accident that has happened on both sides of the fence,” Harvick said. “You have one young man who is dead, and you have a guy we know and is a part of our organization who is just getting a lot of crazy press. I have known Tony Stewart a long time. I still don't believe that he even knew that he ran into that car. I know for sure that Tony Stewart isn’t just going to run over somebody on the race track. I don’t think there is anybody in this garage, and it would be hard to find anybody in racing that could point this car and run somebody over.

“You have just a lot unknowledgeable people who are reporting on a situation that know absolutely nothing about racing. It is unfortunate the perception that has been given to him. I know he will stay strong, he will fight and do all the right things.”

Harvick said he hasn’t spoken with Stewart since the accident. Gordon, along with his team owner Rick Hendrick, both said they have reached out to Stewart but haven’t talked to him, either.

“Tony has a lot of good folks around him,” Hendrick said. “I’ve told them I’m here if they need me.”

from here
 
Isn't it wise for informed race fans to wait and see what the investigation can confirm before we take sides?
Ward was killed during the race in fairly spectacular fashion and his death deserves and requires a thorough investigation by authorities before us fans reach our own conclusions.

It just seems prudent to me. But guess I'm in the minority.
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Well said Clutch. I've been monitoring this thread for information but it has been mostly conjecture. I have nothing to add. Tony will have to deal with the media when he comes back to the track.
 
Thinking out loud again. We all know that Tony has a temper -- sometimes rather volatile.
We have heard nothing about Kevin. His aunt called him a "piss head" --- now, to me that means he had a temper, too.
Wonder if he has had any confrontations with other drivers

I'm not belittling his death. That is a tragedy -- temper, or no temper, it shouldn't have happened.
I'm just wondering because in all the years I spent at the dirt track, I don't believe I ever saw a driver who didn't let loose at
one time or another.
 
There will never be a good ending to this tragic incident, someone will always feel slighted with the findings of this investigation. Racing has been taken away from two guys that really just loved the sport and more than likely, race for free just to be able to do it. There is always plenty at stake when they strap in and the green flag flies. Something I know I don't consider as a fan for the most part, as in, I don't dwell on that aspect of the sport it's just part of it.

Hopefully respect, love and forgiveness will prevail and some closure will be found by Kevin's family and Stewart. I'd rather see them work together and improve the sport than divide it.
 
TexasRaceLady said:
Thinking out loud again. We all know that Tony has a temper -- sometimes rather volatile.
We have heard nothing about Kevin. His aunt called him a "piss head" --- now, to me that means he had a temper, too.
Wonder if he has had any confrontations with other drivers

I'm not belittling his death. That is a tragedy -- temper, or no temper, it shouldn't have happened.
I'm just wondering because in all the years I spent at the dirt track, I don't believe I ever saw a driver who didn't let loose at
one time or another.
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To me calling someone a "piss head" would be similar to calling someone a "pain in the ass" or a "**** head", I dont see where that would elude to someone's temperment.

One thing the people that think Tony will just saddle up and drive again this year may not be taking into account is the actual effect that this event may have had on Tony. He could very well get back into the car, but he ould also be so distraught by this that he sees it best to stay away and really do some soul searching to see if he has it in him anymore. These types of things can literally rip someones joy of the game away. Look at Michael Jordan. He was in the height of his dominance when his father was murdered. He left the game immediately. Obviously he came back, but these are life altering events and they do just that to some people. Tony has to deal with the fact that even if he didnt mean to, his car struck and killed someone. There is a ton of grief that comes with that for most people. I think its really hard to just assume that he will just strap on the belts with very little riding on him being in the car at this point while he goes through this process. Everyone handles adverity in different ways. This event could seriously hamper his ability to function as a person for the rest of his life. We all like to think that "racing is what he loves to do", and it clearly is, but that love can be extinguished by these types of things very quickly.
 
clarkfn2284 said:
To me calling someone a "piss head" would be similar to calling someone a "pain in the ass" or a "**** head", I dont see where that would elude to someone's temperment.

One thing the people that think Tony will just saddle up and drive again this year may not be taking into account is the actual effect that this event may have had on Tony. He could very well get back into the car, but he ould also be so distraught by this that he sees it best to stay away and really do some soul searching to see if he has it in him anymore. These types of things can literally rip someones joy of the game away. Look at Michael Jordan. He was in the height of his dominance when his father was murdered. He left the game immediately. Obviously he came back, but these are life altering events and they do just that to some people. Tony has to deal with the fact that even if he didnt mean to, his car struck and killed someone. There is a ton of grief that comes with that for most people. I think its really hard to just assume that he will just strap on the belts with very little riding on him being in the car at this point while he goes through this process. Everyone handles adverity in different ways. This event could seriously hamper his ability to function as a person for the rest of his life. We all like to think that "racing is what he loves to do", and it clearly is, but that love can be extinguished by these types of things very quickly.
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Very well written and thoughtful and this could be the case.
I dont know what Tony is going through, I imagine it is a living hell.

Still the same I would be surprised if he misses to many more cup races. Racing is his passion, I dont think he can stand being away to much longer.

Work and staying active is a good therapy. I think some scars never go away, but I think some healing can be found in getting back on the saddle.

Disclaimer: I could be absolutely wrong, just my opinion
 
Greg said:
Very well written and thoughtful and this could be the case.
I dont know what Tony is going through, I imagine it is a living hell.

Still the same I would be surprised if he misses to many more cup races. Racing is his passion, I dont think he can stand being away to much longer.

Work and staying active is a good therapy. I think some scars never go away, but I think some healing can be found in getting back on the saddle.

Disclaimer: I could be absolutely wrong, just my opinion
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If he ran him over and only injured Kevin I could see Tony getting back behind the wheel this year but I don't know if anyone could get back in the car so soon after taking a young man's life. Every time a caution flag waves it will remind him of the incident and gotta think it would rattle his concentration. I'm sure France, Helton and Pemberton are working all possible scenarios related to the outcome of the investigation and Tony will be given their suggestions as to when or if to return to the 14
 
DanicaFreak said:
Tony on the entry list for night bristol race
http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-...n-tools-night-race.raceResults.entryList.html
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He was on the entry for last week as well. Nothing will be announced until mid week most likely. I would expect that by the time the investigation is over we will here the announcement of the future of his season.

This reminds me a lot of Dale Jr. racing after Sr died. He wasnt ready to be in that car so soon, but he tried because we often find solice in what we love to do. Sometimes the mind cannot be fooled. I expect Tony to sit the remainder of the year. I think he will definitely be out until the inc=vestigation is done. LAst thing NASCAR needs is for Tony to be charged and then have to face the media storm that they allowed this guy to continue to race during the investigation.
 
Think if Tony actually did mean to get close to Ward and spray him with mud and just misjudged - I'm sure his feelings of grief and regret would be much more life-altering than if he really just didn't see him until it was too late.
 
DSquad48 said:
Think if Tony actually did mean to get close to Ward and spray him with mud and just misjudged - I'm sure his feelings of grief and regret would be much more life-altering than if he really just didn't see him until it was too late.
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I think in both scenarios it would be an accident and other then the fact that Tony acted reckless in the latter there is still a significant chance that it would effect him mentally
 
clarkfn2284 said:
I think in both scenarios it would be an accident and other then the fact that Tony acted reckless in the latter there is still a significant chance that it would effect him mentally
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I think I would feel worse if I accidentally drove through a stop sign and killed somebody than if somebody ran into the road and I didn't have enough time to react. Obviously both would be traumatic, but only in one of the scenarios would I feel that I was directly responsible for the death, or at least that I could have avoided hitting the person. Obviously everybody reacts differently, though, and it's hard to say how I would exactly react having never been in that situation before.
 
If being called a "pisshead" by a family member on a facebook post after this unfortunate accident doesn't raise speculation regarding the young 20 year olds behavior both on and off the track nothing will. Seems that a recent occurrence with another driver occurred within weeks of his actions on the track that awful night. Jr. made his way to another competitors hauler after an altercation on the track. Anybody knows that if you enter another teams hauler, whether it be short track Saturday night racing or Nascar Sprint Cup you better be bringing milk and cookies or you will be escorted back out in a hurry. Seems Jr. didn't come in with gifts and was promptly returned to save confines of his own hauler. As with all investigations some of each drivers past should come to surface. Unfortunately being that Tony is the 3 time Nascar champion his actions are more readily available then some wannabee 20 year old superstar from a regional sprint car series....
 
old fan said:
If being called a "pisshead" by a family member on a facebook post after this unfortunate accident doesn't raise speculation regarding the young 20 year olds behavior both on and off the track nothing will. Seems that a recent occurrence with another driver occurred within weeks of his actions on the track that awful night. Jr. made his way to another competitors hauler after an altercation on the track. Anybody knows that if you enter another teams hauler, whether it be short track Saturday night racing or Nascar Sprint Cup you better be bringing milk and cookies or you will be escorted back out in a hurry. Seems Jr. didn't come in with gifts and was promptly returned to save confines of his own hauler. As with all investigations some of each drivers past should come to surface. Unfortunately being that Tony is the 3 time Nascar champion his actions are more readily available then some wannabee 20 year old superstar from a regional sprint car series....
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http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/daytona2008/news/story?id=3238563
 
kelloggs5TLfan said:
http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/daytona2008/news/story?id=3238563
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Thanks for a very good read.

I enjoyed reading this old article, brought back some good memories. It's really a great piece on how "Killer Instinct" not to mention track enemies, evolved into a respectful, successful business partnership. Actually, I don't think there is a better perspective of life in the fast lane, being on the outside looking in of professional racing. How fitting this article should resurface when the pall of a recent and tragic incident, has to an extent tried to place a wedge between us. I just hope for the best to all parties involved......................................................................................................................
































Time for a group hug.
 
Sometimes I think we tend to forget...these guys are macho, ego fueled kings of the road. When they disagree, sometimes fists and helmets might fly. Heck, I think Danica loves competing with them cause she knows that they will NOT cut her slack for being a woman in a mans world. To be great, you have to beat the best.

This is a tragedy of course and I hate it for all involved. For Gods sake Tony, Please dont give up on racing.
 
That sucks... my Dad is a huge Tony Stewart fan and is going to Bristol this weekend... he doesn't know yet that Tony wont be racing. I hope they come up with a time frame soon so we know how long he'll be out.
 
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