Still clouded by recent tragedy, Tony Stewart attempts return to NASCAR.
Left: Tony Stewart. Right: Clips from footage of Kevin Ward Jr. accident.
The order of the four most popular sports in America goes as follows: American Football, Baseball, Basketball, and Ice Hockey (sporteology.com). Aside from their individual features that appeal to the masses, all of these sports have a common trait of physicality and physical confrontation. While baseball is a non-contact sport, there is still plenty of brawling involved. NASCAR is a less popular sport among Americans, largely due to how most sport spectators fail to realize NASCAR, or rather racing in general, is a tough guy sport. On the night of August 9th, however, the entire nation became well informed of the dangers in professional racing. Tony Stewart, a prominent NASCAR driver, was competing in a sprint car (dirt track) race that night when he struck and killed 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. Following a collision with Stewart that left him up in the wall, the young Ward Jr. hopped out of his car and attempted to confront Stewart’s car on the track. Stewart then failed to avoid Ward Jr. and fatally hit him. With Stewart having returned to the track last Sunday, the tragedy has again become a major talking point throughout the country.
Tony Stewart is a good guy. While he has a reputation of being a hot head with the media and other drivers who disrupt his race, his character is one that is appreciated by his fellow NASCAR drivers. Stewart finished fourth in the annual vote for most popular NASCAR driver, which takes place every November 17th. Following Sunday’s race, every driver that was questioned about Stewart responded positively towards Stewart. Kevin Harvick, currently eighth in the NSCS, told the media, “It is good to have Tony back.” The general consensus from the sports world has vindicated Stewart from his actions, writing it off as a freak accident.
While Stewart will most likely not be charged, there is protest from some. As expected, and with every right, Kevin Ward Sr. has verbally attacked Stewart for what happened to his son. Ward Sr. believes “Tony Stewart was the best damn driver by far on the track that night. Why he had to go up as high as he did and hog my son, there’s no reason for it.” Ward Jr.’s local paper, the Daily Messenger, has so far taken a neutral approach, mentioning mostly the public facts. A witness from the night of Ward Jr.’s death, Tyler Graves, claims he heard and saw Stewart speed up as Ward Jr. came onto the track. There is no evidence supporting that claim.
Questions to keep in mind as Stewart continues his return to racing are what will the results of the investigation hold, how will other drivers continue to react to Stewart’s actions, and how will Stewart land in the annual poll for most popular NASCAR driver on November 17th? Stewart finished fourth at Sunday’s race following a blown tire deep into the race.
Articles
Tony Stewart’s Return to Sprint Cup Series Ends With Blowout: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/01/sports/autoracing/tony-stewart-returns-to-sprint-cup-series-and-lots-of-support.html?ref=sports&_r=0
A Nascar Star’s Deadly Run-In on a Dirt Track: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/11/sports/autoracing/tony-stewart-kills-driver-during-confrontation-on-racetrack.html?action=click&contentCollection=Sports&module=RelatedCoverage®ion=Marginalia&pgtype=article
Video: Tony Stewart yelling at a driver on the track in 1999: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mRY79mat34
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A4U_wGAzms
Death Highlights History of Confrontation for Racing: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/11/sports/autoracing/a-death-highlights-racings-history-of-confrontation.html?action=click&contentCollection=Sports&module=RelatedCoverage®ion=Marginalia&pgtype=article
Tony Stewart’s Actions Questioned: http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/11347015/tony-stewart-actions-questioned-father-killed-driver-kevin-ward-jr
NASCAR Drivers Concerned about Road Rage Following Tony Stewart Accident: http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2014-08-15/road-rage-tony-stewart-accident-kevin-ward-death-wrecks-emotion-new-safety-rule
Don’t rush to judge Tony Stewart: http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/11340370/rush-judge-tony-stewart
Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward Jr. tragedy leaves many unanswered questions: http://www.si.com/racing/2014/08/10/tony-stewart-kevin-ward-dead-accident
Police say no sign of criminal intent in Tony Stewart sprint car crash: http://www.si.com/racing/2014/08/11/police-criminal-intent-tony-stewart-kevin-ward-sprint-car-crash
Tragedy at the track: Tony Stewart strikes, kills 20-year-old driver Kevin Ward Jr.: http://www.mpnnow.com/article/20140811/News/140819967#ixzz3C7Kvymsn
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