Stewart & Ward Incident

[Purplelady1040]

Insurance rates for all drivers, pit crews, and racing teams, as well as racing facilities, will double as of this morning. That alone will force the governing bodies of these racing venues to enact policies that forbid such actions; and hefty fines for those who ignore the rules. 

They'll need to react quickly to cover their asses against civil lawsuits, and to raise revenue to pay for the insurance premium increases.

(Interesting note: In the state in which the Ward incident transpired, civil law allows for a suit to be filed, but there is no allowance for monetary compensation given a positive verdict.)

Yep. It will happen.

[Henry Hawk]

After some input today from several local drivers of sprint cars, that I happen to work with, I have to weigh in and say that given the realities of what it is like to drive a sprint car, I am very much inclined to say that Stewart holds absolutely no fault in this tragic event, and unfortunately the dead driver, Ward, carries full responsibility for what happened.

1. Sprint car drivers are instructed to stay with their vehicles until emergency crews arrive. In the event they have to leave the vehicle due to fire, they are instructed to do so with extreme caution, and to avoid the flow of traffic.

2. #1 is an advisory policy, not a rule.

3. Drivers under caution are instructed to stay in a line that best avoids the wreck, and to reduce speed. (Stewart was traveling at the same speed as everyone else once the yellow came out.)

4. The wings on these cars severely obstruct the view around any vehicle ahead of you, especially to the right of said vehicle. (This was a unanimous statement from every driver I spoke to today. They tell me the wing is intentionally angled to the right for aerodynamic reasons.) It is highly likely that Stewart did not see the man until the very last possible second.

The "right hand" swerve seen in the video above, can be absolutely attributed to the fact Ward was hit by the right rear-wheel and wing of the vehicle, forcing the vehicle to swerve right as a result of the obstruction his body presented while being struck, and not from any perceived acceleration at all. A number of the drivers I spoke to today stated that they had experienced the very same thing when running over wreckage; the car swerves toward the side you run something over with).

So despite appearances, I tend to rely upon the experience of individuals that have personally raced, or race, sprint cars and have for decades. There isn't a one of them that places a single bit of blame upon Stewart for what transpired; and several of them knew Ward personally as he has raced against their sons who also drive sprint cars of their own.

This is a case of a young man failing to remember his training and allowing his emotions to rule his actions, which lead to his death. A sad situation that should serve as a harsh lesson to every single driver that engages in the sport; and to those that serve as role models to them within NASCAR as well. (There is more than a little irony in the fact this young man was emulating Stewarts own antics within his NASCAR career; but it is just that, irony, and not applicable to what transpired in this case).

In no way do I see this even coming within the realm of possibility surrounding meeting the requirements for involuntary manslaughter charges being filed. Not without a lot of histrionics and media spin. . .

Some of the drivers I conferred with are owners/drivers for the following teams:

https://www.facebook.com/ColeKetchamRacing/photos_stream?tab=photos_stream

https://www.facebook.com/donnie.adams.7165

https://www.facebook.com/groups/166868260053242/

https://www.facebook.com/RSRacingPhotos

While I personally don't follow racing as avidly as some others may, I do find myself in an unexpected position in this case, with a heavy presence of owners/drivers among the workforce at my place of employment, and consider them to be resident experts on the subject. And while I didn't personally go out to elicit opinions on the topic today, it wasn't necessary. The talk was about this event very early this morning, and I was present for a lot of it; and asked questions.

Thanks for sharing.......well put!      I think you nailed it perfectly.

[Purplelady1040]

http://www.motorsport.com/sprint/news/kevin-ward-appears-to-have-violated-no-rules-in-confronting-stewart/
NASCAR has no rules on getting out of your vehicle and they should. It is just common sense as of dangers involved in being on the track.

[The Troll]

 

I can tell you don't understand what I posted. Here let me dumb it down for you, NASCAR has always allowed the drivers to get out of the vehicles after a wreck and confront the one who caused the wreck. It is a stupid practice and one that NASCAR needs to put an end too.