Driver Hurt, Tony Stewart Involved

[Lurkin]

Not 100% sure this story is legit.

TS set to retire. Tragic every way you look at it. :-(

http://empirenews.net/nascar-tony-st...peting-driver/

[egspeedway]

This is certainly cannon fodder for the conspiracy theorists and the boo birds. While we all were saddened by the incident this saddens me as well for if true auto racing will be losing one of its best talents but also one who financially and spiritually supported the sport in ways we are not aware of. Tony has to too do what ever he does to go on from here and weather or not I like it I must respect his decision.

[egspeedway]

This is certainly cannon fodder for the conspiracy theorists and the boo birds. While we all were saddened by the incident this saddens me as well for if true auto racing will be losing one of its best talents but also one who financially and spiritually supported the sport in ways we are not aware of. Tony has to too do what ever he does to go on from here and weather or not I like it I must respect his decision.

[Lurkin]

I don't think it's Legit, sorry. Satire website like The Onion.

[egspeedway]

I spoke with my son and he said the same thing you are. I hope you are both right but stand by how I feel about it.

[John Berti]

I don't think it's Legit, sorry. Satire website like The Onion.

You are absolutely correct. This story is a hoax on a satirical website. How sick can some people get over a tragic story. Only a mentally deranged person or persons would do something like this

Check this out for the truth:

http://antiviral.gawker.com/nascar-f.../+leahfinnegan

[John Berti]

Mark Tychoniewicz and Cory Sparks, two drivers who were actually in the race, both said that Tony didn't have time to react and that the accident, tragic though it was, couldn't have been avoided. I would tend to believe these two sprint car racers who saw what transpired before their own eyes. It's time for the "vigilante" Stewart haters to accept the truth. Stewart is not at fault in the death of Kevin Ward, Jr., the responsibility falls squarely on Ward who got out of his car and went down into the racing groove of the track where cars were going by at 40 mph to confront Tony. Had he maintained a rational state of mind, stayed in his car, and sought out Tony after the race he'd still be with us today.

Actually there are three drivers who give their input on the tragic accident with the third being Ryan Bickett.

Read these two articles:

http://www.motorsport.com/sprint/new...d-tony-stewart

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com...kevin-ward-jr/

[OldSchool+]

John, can appreciate that you are passionate about this subject.

But really, is labeling those with a different opinion "vigilante Stewart haters" really helping the "healing" process or the "let's not feed the lamestream media speculation that we are hayseeds" agenda?

Please consider that those that do not agree with you can have a good opinion of Tony, but have "seen" the situation differently.

I would suggest that "hatin' the haters" is a similar deal. In my experience hate--regardless of the supposedly "justifiable" reason, never has had a positive result in my life--ever.

There are similar reports of sprint car drivers, both on the track as well as in the stands in turn one, that report otherwise--and largely place the blame on Tony.

But I don't see how insulting those that believe that Tony has zero culpability will help the situation.

Remember, I am attempting to look at this deal objectively, and have decided both the information and the video are inconclusive--thus far.

And keep in mind that many KARNAC members believe that Tony could have taken a different course of action.

ps--agree with you regarding the "hoax" article.

[Matt Albee]

Old School, you wouldn't be fanning the flames just to see how many replies this thread gets would you? All this thread is accomplishing is bringing out the real loonies like pkirky.
For a dose of sanity, go to motorsport.com and read the article concerning Frankie Kerrs take on this whole tragedy.

[OldSchool+]

Matt--absolutely not.

I hold Phil and Scott (and others) in high regard and they have apparently chosen not to post lately and that is certainly their prerogative.

You chose to post, and that is also fine. It is neither here nor there but it is a blog site where people yak. While it is not my deal, the advertisers here like traffic.

I also respect PKirky and his reasoned opinion--just as I do yours.

Also respect Frankie Kerr, but it is still only his opinion. FYI, there is nothing more in the world than I would like than for him--and you--to be correct.

[egspeedway]

I have previously discussed mans anatomical relationship to opinions. That being said for the Wards, Tony and our great sport lets have some quiet time and wait for the investigative results before we continue our discussions. Remember the investigators do not have a dog in this fight and are simply sorting out the facts(not opinions).

[John Berti]

John, can appreciate that you are passionate about this subject.

But really, is labeling those with a different opinion "vigilante Stewart haters" really helping the "healing" process or the "let's not feed the lamestream media speculation that we are hayseeds" agenda?

Please consider that those that do not agree with you can have a good opinion of Tony, but have "seen" the situation differently.

I would suggest that "hatin' the haters" is a similar deal. In my experience hate--regardless of the supposedly "justifiable" reason, never has had a positive result in my life--ever.

There are similar reports of sprint car drivers, both on the track as well as in the stands in turn one, that report otherwise--and largely place the blame on Tony.

But I don't see how insulting those that believe that Tony has zero culpability will help the situation.

Remember, I am attempting to look at this deal objectively, and have decided both the information and the video are inconclusive--thus far.

And keep in mind that many KARNAC members believe that Tony could have taken a different course of action.

ps--agree with you regarding the "hoax" article.

The thing I'm trying to bring to light on this is the the commentary from people who actually drive sprint cars, know the characteristics of sprint cars, and actually saw what transpired.

Corey Sparks was driving a car just a few car lengths back from Tony. Don't you think he would be one of the most creditable witnesses of what happened? He had the best seat in the house at the wheel of a race car directly behind Stewart to know firsthand if Tony was at fault.

As for your comment, "There are similar reports of sprint car drivers, both on the track as well as in the stands in turn one, that report otherwise--and largely place the blame on Tony." I have yet to see anything like that posted on the internet or heard it from the media anywhere. So until I see or hear otherwise I'll put my faith in the comments of three drivers who were on the track and have come out publicly. Why even Bubba Clem and Gene Lasker absolved Tony of blame on Bubba's talk show earlier in the week. You can't say Gene is not an accomplished sprint car racer.

As for my comment "vigilante" Stewart haters, I feel it is appropriate. There is a strong segment of Stewart haters who are so obsessed in wanting him prosecuted and thrown in jail that they will not listen to facts dismissing comments from drivers who actually drive sprint cars for a living as being hogwash.

The mass media has been highly slanted in all of this too. They've passed judgement that Tony is guilty without knowing the facts. They have tainted the situation trying to get the public believing that Tony, with malice intent, ran Kevin Ward, Jr. down. It's repulsive that they are only in it for the sensationalism and refuse to seek out the facts.

You can say that I'm trying to present a responsible opposing viewpoint.

I still feel Tony will be absolved when the authorities weigh all of the facts and not the emotionalism.

[John Berti]

Old School, you wouldn't be fanning the flames just to see how many replies this thread gets would you? All this thread is accomplishing is bringing out the real loonies like pkirky.
For a dose of sanity, go to motorsport.com and read the article concerning Frankie Kerrs take on this whole tragedy.

Matt, I have to agree with you that motorsports.com is an excellent source for information on motorsports. Motorsport.com has published 23 stories that reference the tragedy. Unlike so many others who have “reported” on this , they actually cover racing, cover sprint cars, and cover the news both good or bad.

[OldSchool+]

"The thing I'm trying to bring to light on this is the the commentary from people who actually drive sprint cars, know the characteristics of sprint cars, and actually saw what transpired... So until I see or hear otherwise..."--JB

I speculate, but do not knowingly fabricate. Here are the articles (I was not going to post due to the nature, but here you are):

Tyler Graves (Kevin's friend in turn one stands):

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.s..._needs_to.html

Paul Kinney (who passed Kevin while he was still further up the track):

http://hollywoodlife.com/2014/08/12/...-not-accident/

Both of these "testimonials" have problems, but then, so do all of them, IMO.

Do you have to be a sprint car driver to have an opinion? A dirt sprint car driver? A dirt sprint car with a wing? Have to be there? Have to be behind Tony...?

"You can say that I'm trying to present a responsible opposing viewpoint. I still feel Tony will be absolved when the authorities weigh all of the facts and not the emotionalism."--JB

Fair enough, and again, am sincerely hoping that is the way it works out.

I also think Pkirky is entitled to his viewpoint as well.

[Jacque Debris]

The part of all of this that puzzles me is why are there not more people placing more blame on Kevin Ward. All you hear is "Tony Stewart runs over and kills a driver". The media loves to sensationalize everything and does not place the blame where it really belongs. Don't get me wrong... I feel for the family of Mr. Ward, but never in any interview with his family did they say that he was at all to blame. They say it was all Tony's fault. That's alot of BS. If you play in traffic you're gonna get hit.