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Troubled Stewart pulls out of race
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TONY Stewart has pulled out of a second race as a police probe continues into the bizarre incident in which the US stock car star struck and killed a driver.
The 43-year-old Stewart, who missed Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Watkins Glen International track, has withdrawn from a non-NASCAR race on Saturday in Plymouth, Indiana.
“We at Plymouth Speedway extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Kevin Ward, Jr. and thoughts and prayers to Tony Stewart and his family. Tony Stewart will NOT be racing at Plymouth Speedway this Saturday,” race officials said in a statement.
Stewart, one of the most popular drivers in American stock car racing, struck and killed 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. during another non-NASCAR race on a dirt track on Saturday at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. Police said they had found “no criminal behavior” on Stewart’s part but will continue their probe into the incident.
“At this time there are no facts that exist that support any criminal behavior or conduct or that any probable cause of a criminal act in this investigation,” Ontario County Sheriff spokesman Philip Povero told reporters.
Povero said they have interviewed Stewart and several others who witnessed the incident and they say Stewart, who was unhurt, has been cooperative.
Povero told reporters they are looking for more video footage of the crash as part of their ongoing investigation. He said they already have two videos of the incident.
“We are seeking persons outside that are familiar with racing that can help us review and analyze these tapes to hopefully fully understand the crash,” he said.
Stewart first bumped Ward’s car and knocked it out of the race. On his next lap Stewart’s vehicle collided with Ward, who had climbed out of his car and was walking down the track pointing his finger in the direction of Stewart.
As the car passed by Ward it appeared to rev and then fishtail, hitting Ward and dragging him along the track for several meters. An autopsy was performed on the body which showed Ward died of massive blunt force trauma.
The hard-headed Stewart has a history of dust-ups with other drivers. Two years ago after a crash he walked onto a track at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee and threw his helmet at Matt Kenseth’s car.
When Stewart competed in an event at Canandaigua in July 2013, he caused a crash that involved 15 drivers.
In Fontana, California last year, Stewart stormed down pit road and got into a fist fight with Joey Logano, whom he accused of trying to block him.
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