Tony in trouble

[chernaudi]

Sadly, NASCAR and other bodies have "criminalized" setting things mono e mono in the garage and such, while in actuality using any on or off track incident to spice up the show because controversy sells. Helmet throwing or gesturing at a guy on track will get you nothing, while, for example, Marcos Ambrose and Casey Mears got fined $25 grand and $15 grand respectively for doing the "better" option and having a fist fight in the garage at Richmond this year. Sadly, such a boxing match would be a safer option than getting close to race cars even when they're going pit speed.

To be honest, on that end, I can't blame people claiming that such things make out the sport to be the WWE at best, and a place where hot heads and really do some stupid stuff and really hurt someone or themselves, or worse, at worst.

[leonidas]

Sadly, this type of out-of-car confrontation is not unique to the US. Martin Schanche did a similar thing in rallycross back in 1992, survived, and got a ban that almost finished his career. And didn't James Hunt try to do something similar at Monaco, albeit close to the barriers...

I feel sorry for Tony Stewart. Whatever he intended I'm sure he didn't intend to hit Kevin.

For me they should show this video at every rookie drivers' orientation programme or ARDS course. It might help make this 'confrontation' nonsense stop.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by leonidas

Sadly, this type of out-of-car confrontation is not unique to the US. Martin Schanche did a similar thing in rallycross back in 1992, survived, and got a ban that almost finished his career. And didn't James Hunt try to do something similar at Monaco, albeit close to the barriers...

I feel sorry for Tony Stewart. Whatever he intended I'm sure he didn't intend to hit Kevin.

For me they should show this video at every rookie drivers' orientation programme or ARDS course. It might help make this 'confrontation' nonsense stop.

Schanche

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9QPLYcrmsQ

UNREAL!

"I feel sorry for Tony Stewart. Whatever he intended I'm sure he didn't intend to hit Kevin."
Me too, I don't believe Stewart even saw Ward, Stewart was following close behind and further out than the car in front of him, which swerved to miss Ward, and Stewart's attention would have been focused on the rear of the car in front, and then it was dark the lighting was patchy and Ward was dressed in black and where he clearly should never have been!

Sadly, Stewart had no chance imo!

[davyboy]

I remember that Martin Schanche incident. He ought to have been given a lifetime ban from motor sport for what he did there.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by wnut

Schanche

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9QPLYcrmsQ

UNREAL!

"I feel sorry for Tony Stewart. Whatever he intended I'm sure he didn't intend to hit Kevin."
Me too, I don't believe Stewart even saw Ward, Stewart was following close behind and further out than the car in front of him, which swerved to miss Ward, and Stewart's attention would have been focused on the rear of the car in front, and then it was dark the lighting was patchy and Ward was dressed in black and where he clearly should never have been!

Sadly, Stewart had no chance imo!

If Schanche had gotten hit I can't say I would have felt bad for him at all. Sometimes you can't stop stupid.

[JHamilton]

This incident continues to remind me of of the Ricky Rudd/Mike Rich incident in '90. If you don't know, Rudd lost control of his car on pit lane (prior to speed limits) and slid backward into Bill Elliott's car. Mike Rich was the tire changer and was crushed. He died of his injuries the next day.

I read this article last night and while the circumstances were different, I think it's pertinent to the current situation. Not trying to be morbid, but I think it gives us some insight into what Stewart is going through.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/199...-road-pit-stop

[canamman]

That's the incident that gave us the slower pit speeds.
Before that , it was full speed down pit lane.

[Salamus]

For those unfamiliar with American laws (like me) and want to know what Tony can potentially be charged with, here is an article that provides short, simple explanations.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by Salamus

For those unfamiliar with American laws (like me) and want to know what Tony can potentially be charged with, here is an article that provides short, simple explanations.

Very interesting article. It does seem to indicate that the likelihood of Stewart facing criminal charges is remote. It's almost a certainty though that Ward's family will file a civil suit against Stewart.

[fieldodreams79]

http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/stor...x11&gt1=msnans

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by davyboy

Very interesting article. It does seem to indicate that the likelihood of Stewart facing criminal charges is remote. It's almost a certainty though that Ward's family will file a civil suit against Stewart.

I'm going to gamble and say that criminal charges will probably not happen. If they do happen, I don't believe you'll get 12 jurors to agree on him being guilty, especially once expert testimony is heard.

A civil suit will probably go ahead, but considering that the victim ran at the car putting himself in a position to get run over is probably going to work against them. Most likely to avoid losing entirely both parties will reach a settlement instead.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

I'm going to gamble and say that criminal charges will probably not happen. If they do happen, I don't believe you'll get 12 jurors to agree on him being guilty, especially once expert testimony is heard.

A civil suit will probably go ahead, but considering that the victim ran at the car putting himself in a position to get run over is probably going to work against them. Most likely to avoid losing entirely both parties will reach a settlement instead.

That's probably exactly what will happen.

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

I'm going to gamble and say that criminal charges will probably not happen.

I agree. If the investigation is truly complete, why hold off the announcement for several days?

[fieldodreams79]

From the beginning, I have thought the worst for Tony out of all this would be an out of court settlement to Ward's family and that the general would never really know the extent.

I too expect no criminal charges whatsoever, and have from the onset.

[JHamilton]

Going to grand jury.

http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup...ent-grand-jury

DA went the easy way out.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

Going to grand jury.

http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup...ent-grand-jury

DA went the easy way out.

Yeah he did but can't fault him for that, IMO. I wouldn't touch this with a 10 foot pole as Mr Mid Size County America DA.

Let the group of 12 angry men decide his fate and wash my hands off it. 'murica.

[gomick]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

From the beginning, I have thought the worst for Tony out of all this would be an out of court settlement to Ward's family and that the general would never really know the extent.

Wonder how many millions there sons life was worth? Money wont ease the pain will it? Awesome, we can buy lots of materialist bs...

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by gomick

Wonder how many millions there sons life was worth? Money wont ease the pain will it? Awesome, we can buy lots of materialist bs...

To normal people, life is priceless. In the eye of the courts, there's always a pricetag. And no, you won't ease any pain.

Like the situation itself, it's all very unfortunate.

[MJ_N_09]

Well..... this case just got thrown out.

UPDATE4: A grand jury has decided Tony Stewart will not face charges for his role in the on-track death of sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr. Prosecutors in upstate New York made the announcement Wednesday, just hours after the grand jury finished hearing testimony in the case. Ontario County District Attorney Michael Tantillo also said Ward was under the influence of marijuana at the time of his death, according to toxicology reports. Tantillo looked at the evidence and could have brought charges or dropped the case himself, but said last week that the matter would be decided by the grand jury. Stewart could have been charged with second-degree manslaughter under New York law, experts said, if prosecutors believed he "recklessly caused the death of another person." Negligent homicide also was another possibility.(ESPN)

This is why such things as drug tests are necessary, even at short tracks like these.

[TWRv12]

Unfortunately it sounds like the Family will pursue this further

@JennaFryer

Statement from Ward family as read over phone by sister Kayla Herring:
"Our son got out of his car during caution when the race was suspended. All the other vehicles were reducing speed and not accelerating except for Stewart, who intentionally tried to intimidate Kevin by accelerating and sliding his car toward him, causing the tragedy. The focus should be on the actions of Mr. Stewart. This matter is not at rest and we will pursue all remedies in fairness to Kevin.”

[fieldodreams79]

All as I suspected, with the exception of the pot.

[JHamilton]

As of today, there is no way to test if someone is currently under the influence of marijuana. So let's squash the DA's statement there...

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

As of today, there is no way to test if someone is currently under the influence of marijuana. So let's squash the DA's statement there...

I read somewhere else that there was enough to "impair" Ward, so the media is using different terms to write their stories, hoping they will sell, but to your point, the toxicology report can only prove it was in his system and nothing else.

[mountainstar]

I'd say much of their civil suit is probably in the trash can now.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

I'd say much of their civil suit is probably in the trash can now.

I tend to agree. In its most empirical form Ward did something irrational with traces of marijuana in his system and sadly died as a result. It would be very difficult to convince even a civil court that anyone other than Ward was negligent. I feel for the family though, they were in a very bad place before this and their situation has gotten even worse now.