In the wake of the incident, Stewart repeatedly said that it had been “100 percent an accident”. “I don’t know how anyone could be back to the exactly way they were, but not being back to the way I was doesnt mean I can’t be better in some ways”. A victory would guarantee him a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
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NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart was slapped with a wrongful death lawsuit on Friday by the family of Kevin Ward Jr., the 20-year-old driver who was killed when he was struck by Stewart’s vehicle at an upstate New York dirt track past year. Toxicology tests at the time of the dismissal found Mr. Ward had marijuana in his system and that the “levels impaired judgment”.
After colliding with Stewart, the 20-year old got out of his race vehicle, walked on the track and was struck by Stewart’s sprint auto.
Kevin Ward’s parents filed the suit asking for unspecified financial compensation.
Ward was the Empire Super Sprint series rookie of the year in 2010. His dream was to eventually compete in the World of Outlaws, the nation’s top series for lightweight, high-horsepower Sprint Cars.
But the Ward family disagreed. “It doesn’t help you continue to move forward with it”.
The lawsuit claims that Stewart wrongfully caused Ward Jr.’s death by acting with wanton, reckless and malicious intent and negligence. The suit was filed in Lewis County, where the family lives.
USA Today Sports reports that, “At the time of the grand jury ruling last September, Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo said there were two charges submitted for consideration against Stewart: manslaughter in the second degree and criminally negligent homicide”.
What is most impressive about Gordon’s nine road course wins is that the first six were in succession, starting at Watkins Glen in 1997 and ending here three years later. Nothing can replace the four wins Jeff Gordon has at Watkins Glen, but Gordon, too, will bid farewell after this season. French police said they had taken a blood sample from the 2009 world champion, the Independent reported on its website.
“Definitely one of my favorite tracks”, Stewart said.
“What’ll really be interesting is to see how the drivers react to it for next year because all the information they had this year, what lines to take, that’s going to go out the window, so it’s going to be a real scramble next year here in the practice for those guys”, Kevin Twitchell said. I’m actually praying for rain on Sunday. “I know I have to go out there and be on my “A” game to have a shot to win this thing”. “I’m hoping somewhere in the equation we can figure out how to make it rain”.
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Despite growing up within an hour Sonoma Raceway, the Vallejo, Calif.-native’s introduction with the then 2.52-mile track was a three-day “crash course” with Skip Barber Racing School and a Southwest Tour race.
