There was a point in my life where I adored NASCAR, and though I never really considered myself a Tony Stewart fan, I always had a degree of respect for him based on his driving ability. I remember him well before Joe Gibbs. He would have won Indy in 96 if his engine hadnt expired. Unfortunately, he wont be remembered for that anymore. What happened Saturday night in upstate New York was a horrid tragedy that people in the motor racing community and in general will be talking about for years. The fact a driver was struck and killed by another competitor is unforgivable.....but understand this.....not all the blame falls on Stewart. First of all, Ive seen my share of sprint car races, and its not unheard of (and is actually quite common) for a driver to misjudge his distance, power slide through a turn, and either contact another car, or slap the wall. Its also anyones guess how difficult it is to see the right rear corner while you are in a turn. To say Stewart deliberately tried to inflict injury upon another driver with his vehicle is ludicrous simply on those grounds. If Stewart is responsible (in this instance), it is out of negligence, not malice. Secondly, Tony Stewart travels the country hitting dirt tracks as a means of promoting sprint car racing. What happened Saturday night is something he never would have wanted to happen in his worst nightmares. He would have known the black eye it would give the sport. Also, Kevin Ward (the driver struck and killed) placed himself in harms way. The sad reality is dirt track and short track racing is and has been for a while known more for extra curricular displays of anger, fights, and deliberate acts of property damage than racing. Its all part of the show...until this happens. I hope those with short tempers who feel the need to display their anger understand truly what price they could pay as a result. I hope this incident changes a few minds. If youre going to beat someones ass, or show them your disgust....save it for the pits. Get off the track. Lastly, no matter what happens....Stewarts attitude and displays on the track prior to this tragedy will haunt him, and possibly sink him. It is those incidents that will place in peoples minds the conspiracies and what ifs about this tragedy...whether he deserves it or not. Sponsors could pull their adds as a result. He could be barred from tracks and excluded from competitions or entire series. Those same questions will likely lead to a wrongful death lawsuit by the family, or even (though I dont think he is guilty of murder) criminal prosecution. It hurts me as a race fan that I even have to type this. None of this had to happen, and as a result, one life is over...many lives are ruined....and a brilliant career of a talented driver will forever be shadowed by darkness.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 08:27:25 +0000
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