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Post by myshelly on Aug 10, 2014 15:20:02 GMT
I feel bad for Tony Stewart. That other guy *purposely* walked into the track, walked in front of Tony's car, and was LOOKING for a fight. That other guy chose to act like an idiot. So what! Everyone else managed to avoid him, why didn't Tony? Because the guy was walking towards Tony's car, pointing/yelling at TS. He was purposely *trying* to have a confrontation specifically with TS.
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Aug 10, 2014 15:22:01 GMT
It's possible he was concussed and confused. This investigation is going to be a mess. There are so many things that are being thrown out there: from a pissing match between the two of them, to audio video of where you can hear Stewart accelerating after he sees the driver on the track (despite it being a "caution" light when you are supposed to slow down), to it being just a tragic accident. I'm frankly surprised he's allowed to drive today. And I'm betting his sponsors are going to pull out. That was my first thought as well, that the driver who was killed may have been in shock. I don't follow Nascar so I don't know anything about Stewart. I watched the video one time and road rage came to mind. It is all over the news today. Such a tragedy for the young man and his family. I hope his celebrity status as a Nascar driver doesn't cloud the investigation.
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YooHoot
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Jun 26, 2014 3:11:50 GMT
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Post by YooHoot on Aug 10, 2014 15:22:55 GMT
Yes, TS is a known hot head. But to me it is clear in the video that the other guy was absolutely at complete fault. Well I'm glad neither of us are investigators because from the video, it appears that Tony's rear tires are what hit this man. How do you accidentally strike someone with your rear tires?
From my untrained racecar (on any track) opinion, Tony Stewart was showing his ass...trying to come close to this man...maybe even throw dirt on him, to teach him a lesson. Put him in his place so to speak. Tony Stewart is known for taking other drivers "to task". What better way to take this young rookie to task than scaring him, or throwing dirt on him?
I'm hoping there is more than one video for investigators to study.
I'm not a Tony fan, but driving, braking, turning on a dirt track is difficult to do. You tend to slide more. If he was turning and braking, his rear could have slid out from behind him and struck him. I don't know. Either way, a tragedy. I'm glad he's not racing today.
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Post by *KAS* on Aug 10, 2014 15:34:12 GMT
Yes, I am at the track right now.
I'm fairly limited in what I can say as I'm not allowed to speak on behalf of clients, my company, sponsors, etc and don't want anything to be misconstrued.
So here's all I feel comfortable saying - it was a terrible, awful tragedy and my prayers are with the Ward family. That's first and foremost. Knowing Tony Stewart to the small degree that I do, I feel comfortable knowing that there is nobody that feels worse about the accident than he does today.
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Deleted
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Oct 9, 2024 0:36:53 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2014 16:00:17 GMT
KAS, what do you do in the world of NASCAR?
Next, while Tony is know as a hot head, he is also know as someone with a very big and caring heart. GAJenny, you really seem to want to pin this all on Tony. Did you not see in the video the young man approached a moving car? Maybe Tony was trying to swerve to avoid hitting him, but the dirt track is unpredictable.
I would not be so quick to pin this on Tony as purposeful.
Prayers to all involved. This is going to be a hard time for so many.
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Post by keknj on Aug 10, 2014 16:13:15 GMT
I don't watch NASCAR or Sprint (Indy car girl here) but I have been to one Sprint car race and those things are all over the place. I would hope that as a compassionate human being TS was not trying to hit the guy. I won't watch the video so I can't say what I think he was trying to do, just saying that I hope that intent was not in his heart.
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Deleted
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Oct 9, 2024 0:36:53 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2014 16:30:02 GMT
KAS, what do you do in the world of NASCAR? Next, while Tony is know as a hot head, he is also know as someone with a very big and caring heart. GAJenny, you really seem to want to pin this all on Tony. Did you not see in the video the young man approached a moving car? Maybe Tony was trying to swerve to avoid hitting him, but the dirt track is unpredictable. I would not be so quick to pin this on Tony as purposeful. Prayers to all involved. This is going to be a hard time for so many. Yep I saw the video. I've also read plenty of news stories over the years about what an asshole Tony Stewart is. And yes, I've read that the dirt track is unpredictable, but also from Tony's own behavior in the past, and his incessant need to take other drivers "to task" that perhaps his intention was to simply put this young rookie in his place, but because the track is unpredictable, ended up with an action on the car he didn't plan on and could not correct.
I hope there's an honest investigation. I also hope there's more than one video. I would also think that all of the spectators on that track would be able to testify what they saw...and they are the ones that know if Tony Stewart sped up on a yellow flag and many other questions that we just don't know from the video.
Tony Stewart's reputation preceeds him...and in this case, it will not do him any favors.
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sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by sweetpeasmom on Aug 10, 2014 16:30:58 GMT
Tony is a hot head, yes. But the driver should not have gotten out of his car and come at Tony the way he did. Tony may have revved his engine in a pissed off way but that does not mean he intentionally hit the driver.
As for Tony saying business as usual, that very well could be from him being in shock and that was his initial reaction. When there is an incident at the track (any track) drivers will always say business as usual. If they don't get right back at it, sometimes they never will. So it was probably an initial thought and once he thought about it, he realized he wasn't in a frame of mind to.
This is a tragic event all around - the driver killed, Tony having been the one that caused it, and the fans that had to witness it.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Aug 10, 2014 16:39:32 GMT
Tony did not say "business as usual" his rep did. First, there is going to be LOTS of speculation. Lots. So I think everyone needs to just relax and let the investigation play out. The video is bad. It only shows one angle. It doesn't show what the kid was doing on the other side of the car, did he try to grab the car? kick it? either way it was a terrible terrible accident. I feel bad for everyone involved.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Aug 10, 2014 16:43:32 GMT
In terms of Tony's rep as a hot head. It's not ANY different then a lot of drivers. And as far as him taking other drivers to task. Tony became sort of the sheriff in Nascar after Earnhardt Sr passed. He's been the guy to tell others to cool it. It's not taking to task, it's part of being a Sr driver. He loves racing. That's why he was there racing dirt track. He brings ALOT! of money and people to these small tracks by just showing up. No other driver does that. Everyone made mistakes last night.
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Post by Charlotte on Aug 10, 2014 16:45:52 GMT
Tony Stewart may be a jackass, but he isn't a monster. I can't imagine what is going through his head right now.
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Post by myshelly on Aug 10, 2014 16:53:21 GMT
I honestly don't think TS did anything wrong.
But, GAJenny, even if every single speculation you make is true, I still don't think TS is at fault or that he should face any kind of punishment. I think the cause of the accident was when that other driver decided to set foot on the track. That was his choice and no one else's. This was the consequence. To me that should be the end.
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Nink
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Location: North Idaho
Jul 1, 2014 23:30:44 GMT
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Post by Nink on Aug 10, 2014 16:55:07 GMT
The news is reporting that Tony will be racing today. I just don't see how his frame of mind can be up to a race so soon after this accident! I just read that he would not be racing today. I think it was an accident. The guy should have never went out onto the track, sad that he was killed.
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
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Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Aug 10, 2014 16:57:54 GMT
This has just been shown on Sky news. They said that Tony Stewart won't be racing today.
An appalling incident, but if the young man had not got out of his vehicle, this would never have happened.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Aug 10, 2014 17:01:01 GMT
I know everyone is confused about the going to race and not going to race. He is NOT going to race. Originally last night initially after the incident I think the PR dept put out that tony WOULD race. After all the investigation, and just the light of day, and probably no sleep. Tony told his crew he would NOT race. Everyone agrees that is the right decision.
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Post by christaw on Aug 10, 2014 17:08:17 GMT
I'm sorry but Tony would never hurt or run over a guy!! No matter how upset he is!! He is a racer and loves running dirt tracks. You only see the bad stuff the media portrays not the good stuff that he does.
That guy should have never come down the track out of his car. Such a sad situation no matter what.
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Post by christaw on Aug 10, 2014 17:11:36 GMT
Just something else to remember
Driver Kevin Ward Jr. was wearing a black helmet and firesuit on a dimly lit track
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Nink
Pearl Clutcher
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Location: North Idaho
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Post by Nink on Aug 10, 2014 17:15:24 GMT
I'm not a TS fan, but I in no way believe he hit him intentionally. He could have very easily slid into him on accident. I spent many a weekend at the dirt track and those things are hard enough to just walk across at times because they are so slick, let alone drive and try to brake.
As far as TS being cocky or hot headed. Pretty much every driver is like that to a point. That's what attracts them to racing, it's definitely an ego sport.
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Post by mzza111 on Aug 10, 2014 17:21:51 GMT
Yep I saw the video. I've also read plenty of news stories over the years about what an asshole Tony Stewart is. And yes, I've read that the dirt track is unpredictable, but also from Tony's own behavior in the past, and his incessant need to take other drivers "to task" that perhaps his intention was to simply put this young rookie in his place, but because the track is unpredictable, ended up with an action on the car he didn't plan on and could not correct. I've seen the video and this is exactly how I feel. Tony was going to put this driver on his place by spraying him with dirt but instead hit and killed him. I don't believe he did it intentionally but the fact is, Tony killed the guy.
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Post by Chips on Aug 10, 2014 17:22:10 GMT
What a tragedy and how sad for all involved.
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MaryC
Full Member
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Jun 25, 2014 21:52:55 GMT
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Post by MaryC on Aug 10, 2014 17:22:38 GMT
That's what I was wondering. Obviously I've never raced but I've driven on dirt pack roads most of my adult life and it's easy for even an experienced driver to fishtail if you brake abruptly or try to swerve. I would imagine a hard pack surface like a track would be even worse.
I hope for the sake of everyone involved that this is investigated quickly and fairly, and that in all the media hoopla, we don't forget that a twenty year old lost his life. Yes, getting out of his vehicle put him in harms' way, but he might have been injured and not thinking clearly. Neither his actions nor Tony Stewart's reputation make it any less a tragedy for everyone involved.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 10, 2014 17:29:25 GMT
KAS, what do you do in the world of NASCAR? Next, while Tony is know as a hot head, he is also know as someone with a very big and caring heart. GAJenny, you really seem to want to pin this all on Tony. Did you not see in the video the young man approached a moving car? Maybe Tony was trying to swerve to avoid hitting him, but the dirt track is unpredictable. I would not be so quick to pin this on Tony as purposeful. Prayers to all involved. This is going to be a hard time for so many. Yep I saw the video. I've also read plenty of news stories over the years about what an asshole Tony Stewart is. And yes, I've read that the dirt track is unpredictable, but also from Tony's own behavior in the past, and his incessant need to take other drivers "to task" that perhaps his intention was to simply put this young rookie in his place, but because the track is unpredictable, ended up with an action on the car he didn't plan on and could not correct.
I hope there's an honest investigation. I also hope there's more than one video. I would also think that all of the spectators on that track would be able to testify what they saw...and they are the ones that know if Tony Stewart sped up on a yellow flag and many other questions that we just don't know from the video.
Tony Stewart's reputation preceeds him...and in this case, it will not do him any favors.
I don't think an "honest investigation" will make GAJenny happy--unless it finds TS guilty of intentionally killing a man, given all her posts here. Her comments lead me to believe, by the same style of methodology she uses, that she is always guilty of being a judgmental bitch given her comments here. My DH races open wheel vehicles, they are very hard to control to begin with and take high levels of skill to race (which TS has had for many years) the sound of "revving" in the video happens when the throttle is engaged even when downshifting. Racing everything happens so fast, in milliseconds around you and it is near to impossible to have everything go perfect on a track such as this when there is so much noise, chaos, speed and obstacles no matter how much trading a person has had. I truly believe that anyone who thinks that Tony Stewart intentionally went to hit Ward to even hurt him let alone kill him is an idiot. You are talking about a man intentionally trying to run over hurting or killing another on national TV in a sport he has dedicated his life to. Using Tony's past hotheaded ness as the underlying reason is just that--an excuse to assess blame out if the gate--there are plenty of others who are hot heads too. It is the same type of blame that is being put on Ward for even getting out of the car and getting up on the track--which every single racer in the history of racing knows not to do--ever! As a driver, seeing a person appear on the track while trying to maneuver their car through--especially on a dirt track would be nough to startle anyone including the most experienced of racers. Being a hot head does not automatically equate to being a murderer KWIM. Because if that was an absolute fact then one could surmise using that same logic that Ward then committed suicide. It appears that it was a horrible accident.
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marimoose
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Post by marimoose on Aug 10, 2014 17:34:19 GMT
Very sad situations and shows what happens when tempers get out of hand. The young man should have never gotten out of his car and stepped onto the track, ultimately paying with his life. That is a tragedy. I don't know enough about this kind of racing or Tony Stewart's temper tantrums but I would certainly lie to believe that it was not Stewart's intention to kill a fellow competitor. Things just went to far. Again, people are so quick to judge and point fingers.
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Nanner
Drama Llama
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Jun 25, 2014 23:13:23 GMT
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Post by Nanner on Aug 10, 2014 17:46:46 GMT
Wow! I just heard about it now. I'm not a Nascar fan - I'm more into Indycar racing, but wow! This is so sad for all involved. I won't watch the video, but I hope it's good enough for the investigators to make a clear determination.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Aug 10, 2014 17:50:22 GMT
Well said papercrafteradvocate. My dh has been heavily involved in Wissota modifides, and racing on dirt, anything can happen. We can all agree it was a terrible terrible accident. I can honestly see Tony taking the rest of the yr off.
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 10, 2014 17:58:48 GMT
My DH and us racing crew have watched the video from the angle show in the OP above and all believe that he swerved to miss him, if you watch prior to TS impact the cars were two up with TS being more on the outside of the cars that were on the inside of the track and it does not appear to be a long track (meaning distance given the short time it took from the impact and for TS to come around for a second pass to the same spot--it was just seconds!
DH noted that this is not anything like NASCAR with all the long wide track and when we watch from TV all the camera angles, that this was a short, small, dirt track and that reactions and time to react are nanoseconds.
They DH and his crew all said it was an unfortunate accident that was set in motion the second that Ward got out if his vehicle and charged onto the path of the cars.
Interesting comment from my DH and another of his law enforcement buddies (part of their crew) is that while one is watching the video we hear the camera person "OhMyGosh!!! tony Stewart just hit that guy". They being in law enforcement say that this is key to how observers of incidents process what happens--that they recall more of what they hear verses what they see. So while we are watching WITH THE SOUND TURNED OFF we see a horrible accident --an obviously angry driver gets out of his car and charges moving vehicles--that appears to be just that and not intentional. But when one listens and repeats what they see, Tonys name is front and center and the story gets told from THAT perspective .
They said that is why when people are interviewed upon seeing an accident, assault, crime etc., they focus them on questions that are what did you SEE and not what you heard.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 9, 2024 0:36:53 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2014 18:09:45 GMT
Yep I saw the video. I've also read plenty of news stories over the years about what an asshole Tony Stewart is. And yes, I've read that the dirt track is unpredictable, but also from Tony's own behavior in the past, and his incessant need to take other drivers "to task" that perhaps his intention was to simply put this young rookie in his place, but because the track is unpredictable, ended up with an action on the car he didn't plan on and could not correct.
I hope there's an honest investigation. I also hope there's more than one video. I would also think that all of the spectators on that track would be able to testify what they saw...and they are the ones that know if Tony Stewart sped up on a yellow flag and many other questions that we just don't know from the video.
Tony Stewart's reputation preceeds him...and in this case, it will not do him any favors.
I don't think an "honest investigation" will make GAJenny happy--unless it finds TS guilty of intentionally killing a man, given all her posts here. Her comments lead me to believe, by the same style of methodology she uses, that she is always guilty of being a judgmental bitch given her comments here. My DH races open wheel vehicles, they are very hard to control to begin with and take high levels of skill to race (which TS has had for many years) the sound of "revving" in the video happens when the throttle is engaged even when downshifting. Racing everything happens so fast, in milliseconds around you and it is near to impossible to have everything go perfect on a track such as this when there is so much noise, chaos, speed and obstacles no matter how much trading a person has had. I truly believe that anyone who thinks that Tony Stewart intentionally went to hit Ward to even hurt him let alone kill him is an idiot. You are talking about a man intentionally trying to run over hurting or killing another on national TV in a sport he has dedicated his life to. Using Tony's past hotheaded ness as the underlying reason is just that--an excuse to assess blame out if the gate--there are plenty of others who are hot heads too. It is the same type of blame that is being put on Ward for even getting out of the car and getting up on the track--which every single racer in the history of racing knows not to do--ever! As a driver, seeing a person appear on the track while trying to maneuver their car through--especially on a dirt track would be nough to startle anyone including the most experienced of racers. Being a hot head does not automatically equate to being a murderer KWIM. Because if that was an absolute fact then one could surmise using that same logic that Ward then committed suicide. It appears that it was a horrible accident. I never said Tony Stewart intentionally went to hit Ward to hurt him let alone kill him. I said that Tony Stewart could've been trying to teach this young driver a lesson...put him in his place...take him "to task"...and that due to the nature of that kind of racing, things happened that Tony Stewart was not able to control or correct. But please continue to call me an idiot and worse when you are putting words in my mouth that I never said. Reading comprehension. It's a good thing.
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Deleted
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Oct 9, 2024 0:36:53 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2014 18:12:01 GMT
Trying not to let emotion come into play here. Those of you that know me personally can probably verify that I would be on a position to know what I know and that I wouldn't spread false info. Fact: Greg Zipadelli, VP of competition at SHR, is the one who said 'business as usual' this morning. He was referring to their work in the garage to get ready today, not trying to say it wasn't a big deal. At that time he thought that Tony was driving today. Fact: the decision for Tony to stay out of the race was NOT made by Tony's sponsors. It was made by Tony, with input from people who work for him at SHR. Sponsors backed his decision but did NOT demand it. Regan Smith was called today to see about filling in. He was at home in Charlotte. He hopped on a plane with Rick Hendrick and arrived here about 1 hour prior to the race. Speculating about someone's 'intent' based off a cell phone video taken from the front stretch of a track on an accident that happened in turn 2 in a dimly lit dirt track is ridiculous. Tony being an 'asshole' because he doesn't sign autographs for a fan 2 hours before he's racing doesn't say a single thing about who he is as a man. But if you feel better judging someone you don't know, rock on. Honestly, I have no idea who he signs or doesn't sign autographs for. If you think that's the only reason someone would think Tony Stewart is an asshole...I don't know what to tell you. I've watched news with Tony Stewart's temper tantrums for years. I don't ever recall seeing any kind of story about the failure to give an autograph. Are you implying that that's the only asshole behavior he's ever exhibited?
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Nink
Pearl Clutcher
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Jul 1, 2014 23:30:44 GMT
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Post by Nink on Aug 10, 2014 18:18:03 GMT
I see multiple drivers behaving like egotistical assholes on a weekly basis. It's not an behavior reserved strictly for TS. And it's a pretty big stretch to link someone who routinely behaves like a jerk on the track to intentionally running down a man and killing him.
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Post by mzza111 on Aug 10, 2014 18:18:25 GMT
My DH and us racing crew have watched the video from the angle show in the OP above and all believe that he swerved to miss him Nothing in that video leads me to this conclusion.
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