In a fatal tragic event overnight, NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart hit Kevin Ward Jr. at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, Sprint race in upstate New York and Ward died due to the injuries. Stewart will not race at Waktins Glen on Sunday.
ESPN’s reporter Marty Smith said he talked to Stewart-Hass Racing VP Comp Greg Zipadelli and was told that Stewart,” Will race the No. 14 today at Watkins Glen.” However, after thinking it through in the morning, Stewart has elected not to race at Waktins Glen.
Stewart and Ward were fighting for position on the track at Canandaigua Motorsports Park which resulted in Ward being clipped into the wall by Stewart’s car which brought out a caution.
During the caution, Ward got out of his Sprint car and onto the track looking for Stewart and when Ward found Stewart, Ward got hit by Stewart’s Sprint car which eventually made Ward fly off the car and was motionless.
Many have speculated whether Stewart’s hit was intentional or not. However, Stewart currently has zero criminal charges pending after the incident.
“He was visibly shaken by this accident,” Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero speaking of Stewart via ESPN.com. “… This is right now being investigated as an on-track crash and I don’t want to infer that there are criminal charges pending. When the investigation is completed, we will sit down with the district attorney and review it. But I want to make it very clear: there are no criminal charges pending at this time.”
Stewart, a three-time Sprint Cup champion, is currently on the bubble to enter the chase for the Sprint Cup and has zero wins on the season. Stewart will be replaced in the 14 car at Watkins Glen by Reagan Smith.
Prayers around the racing world are with Ward’s family.