[Phylo82]

Just a terrible and tragic event......and the saddest part is it was 100% avoidable.

I cringe when I see drivers jumping out of their cars on the track before safety personnel arrive. I've seen it a couple of times this season. I also cringe when I see drivers gunning their motors under yellow when there are still cars, drivers, trucks, four-wheelers, ambulances, etc on the track.......and I see that all the time.

I feel horrible for everyone involved. One family has lost a young man way too soon, and both parties involved will live with it the rest of their lives.

[Lillyweld]

If you feel the compelled to flame this horrific event on IOW because of the overwhelming emotion it engenders (that is then further incited by a media that is thirsty for drama in order to sell more advertising), keep this in mind: the events at Canandaigua Motorsports Park affect you, and not positively!

Step back and look at this for a minute. For starters, the odds are now against there ever being races at Canandaigua Motorsports Park again. It is extremely hard to believe that the insurance company will let it happen, and the lawyers who will be flocking to this tragedy like moths to a flame will further motivate the insurer to avoid any further risks there.

While we might lash out because we hate Tony Stewart or we point fingers because the promising young life of Kevin Ward, Jr. was needlessly ended when we walked out onto a hot track (like - as Dad has pointed out - so many others have done), this event will inevitably cast a pall over all motorsports, especially those on dirt tracks. A year from now, we will all forget about this incident (except of course, the Ward family and Tony Stewart who will have this imprinted on their souls forever), but the lawyers and insurance companies will still be chasing each other around to milk ever dollar out of this tragedy.

Of course, we must offer Mr. Stewart and the Ward family all of our prayers and support as they are members of our very close community. But do not forget the track owner and the promoter. They will now have to spend untold amounts of resources defending themselves against attacks from the legal community who will doggedly probe for fault: “What was said in the drivers meeting? Why didn’t the track workers keep Mr. Ward from walking down into a hot track? Why wasn’t the lighting on the track better? Why aren’t there spotters? Why are these cars ‘open-wheeled’? Were racecievers used? Why isn’t there more government regulation to prevent such things?”

(Keep in mind, the point of these questions and the infinite degree to which they will be explored has less to do with right and wrong and more to do with extracting the most amount of money from the target.)

If you are reading this, then the odds are good that you do not have the luxury of driving for the France family or Bernie Echols or the FIA or some other entity with seemingly bottomless pockets. Our track owners and promoters and sanctioning bodies are not getting rich doing what they are doing so we can enjoy the sport. An event like this would be catastrophic if it happened at their track or in their race, and it might be almost as damaging that it happened at someone else’s track or during someone else’s event.

And what of Mr. Stewart’s involvement? Well, how much press would this have received if one of us had been driving the car that struck Mr. Ward? I shudder at the idea that it could happen at all, but the point of the question is to illustrate how his celebrity and assumed wealth will draw more attacks on our community. Why else would I have to wake up to a loud-mouthed “legal expert” on Fox Sports 1 (namely, Rob Becker) spout off about how Mr. Stewart should be charged with second-degree manslaughter? Seriously, Mr. Becker strikes me as someone who knows as much about motorsports as I know about space travel.

(Mr. Becker is an attorney [not a partner, maybe “of counsel”] with the New York City firm of Fross Zelnick, which bills itself as "the largest law firm in the world specializing exclusively in trademark, copyright, design and unfair competition law." Mr. Becker is an intellectual property lawyer, so his expertise in ******** law or motorsports is well hidden if it even exists at all.)

Personally, I am insulted that someone from the outside can now wade in with such caustic remarks, but Fox Sports is trying to sell the drama. (For the record, I have Fox Sports 1 on by accident because the last thing I watched yesterday was the Tudor race replay.)

Mr. Stewart is guaranteed to be a target again because of his celebrity and assumed wealth, but the ripple effects of the event will impact everyone around him: his sprint car team, Eldora Speedway, his NASCAR team, Haas Automation, sponsors, supporters, and – yes – you.

You must finally remember that this is all being played out to an audience who, for the most part, does not know that we exist. At best, the vast majority of people in this country see the sport we love as the red-headed step child of NASCAR . . . maybe.

For example, the people who saw the incredibly graphic footage over their breakfast and coffee on the Sunday morning news shows (yes, I couldn’t even avoid that tasteless celebration of Mr. Ward’s death on the frickin’ Sunday morning news shows!), would be thrilled to see what we do outlawed. To them it is dangerous, senseless and extremely unnecessary especially as we speed towards an existence of self-driving cars and “benign” governmental omnipotence.

And finally who will pay for this? Of course, it breaks all of our heart that Mr. Ward had to pay the ultimate price here. Mr. Ward's pasing is the “stone dropped into the middle of the pond,” and that is and should be central to all of your thoughts and prayers. But there will be some very serious “ripple” effects from that “stone,” and everyone who touches our sport will pay that price. That price will be reflected in the gear we buy, the insurance costs that must be passed along by the promoters and track owners, the extra rules and procedures we will be required to follow – for starters.

IOW should be a little proud here because the vast majority of contributors and posters are not focused on blame or drama. Instead, the focus is on the incredibly sad loss of a promising young man who had a beautiful future pursuing our passion. Let’s use this as a time to remember how fragile and precious life is, and how lucky we are to enjoy such a special passion with such an incredible group of people.

[Phylo82]

It's apparent the news media knows very little about racing, and zero about dirt racing. Some of the headlines I have read have been so bad it would be humorous if it wasn't so sad. It's much more important for the media to be first than accurate. They sensationalize everything through pure speculation rather than waiting and getting the facts correct.

The only thing worse are the people that post crass and insensitive comments just to get their 2 cents in......I guess it's just life in this electronic age, but it's enough to make me want to chuck my iPad into the river.

[Hooligan29]

You mentioned "Well, how much press would this have received if one of us had been driving the car that struck Mr. Ward?". You are correct that it would be little to none. Another question might be what if it were Jeff Gordon? Tony's reputation as a bad boy will likely play heavily into this." Teach your children well. Your reputation follows you everywhere and can help you or hurt you when the chips are down. Good luck to Tony and the track owners. Be ready for increased back gate fees and admission costs in 2015.

[DAD]

We are all a little quick in jumping to conclusions here. This young man and his family apparently knew that they were getting into a dangerous sport, with all the perils and risk involved. Most often when a racer is killed or injured it is the racers that step up to help their extended family in need and not the Lawyers. I am sure Kevin's family will be under enormous pressure to sue for monetary gain, but perhaps they will do what most of us would probably do and move on with their lives.

I can only remember one law suit in behalf of a racer that was litigated and damages paid. Racers are a different breed. Law suits may or may not be filed. Only time will tell, However in the interim Race tracks all over need to work on (I hate to say this word) RULE that imposes serious penalties for leaving the race car to challenge another racer. If in the event of eminent personal danger they should exit but try to avoid traffic if at all possible. Things like this have happened in the past because a racer was trying to get away from a fire.

Honest Dad himself

[jjones752]

Fortunately, there hasn't been a concerted effort to ban auto racing in the US since 1955, the year of the LeMans disaster and Vukie's fatal crash in the 500; before that, william Randolph Hearst waged a smear campaign in the 30's, mainly focused on LA's Legion Ascot but targeted at outlawing all racing as the ultimate goal. Similar warnings predicting racing's imminent demise were bandied about last year when Jason Leffler died, but (just as fortunately) news outlets are quick to abandon a "cause" and jump on the newest morsel of scandal faster than you can say "Low-Speed Chase". Hopefully the vultures will have something else to circle around soon, and racers can go about the business of caring for their own...

[TQ29m]

DAD, for as long as I've been driving a race car, I don't think many times it wasn't brought up at the drivers meeting, if you are involved in a wreck, or stopped because of one, don't leave your car, unless you are in eminent danger, leaving your car before the crash crew gets to you, will leave you with at least one lap less then everyone else, but we all know how long you remember that, but I do, it's easy to unhook, and jump out, to show everyone you're OK, or not, but just not a good idea. This accident shouldn't have happened, but it did, and they will continue to, unless everyone stays off a "hot track", plain and simple. I don't look for any sanctions by insurance companies, that's what insurance companies are betting on, it won't happen, and if it does, it will be a long time before anyone gets paid, racing is not nearly as dangerous as skate boarding, bicycle riding, or anything, where at least common sense safety equipment is not being used, we all take more chances driving to work, than are present on a race track, at least there, most everyone is going the same direction, and have the safety equipment required, and safety personnel close at hand, in case it does. I feel for both parties involved here, but they all were aware of the risks they were sitting themselves up for, it's just too bad, that some people prefer to sensationalize things like this, there are plenty of other things we could be concerned about, and let this be handled by professionals! Bob

[KingRandomUser]

My prayers go out to the Ward Family and to Stewart from this sad incident.

I am a regular at Bloomington Speedway, and frequent other facilities when able. I've been to countless other non-Indiana tracks as well throughout my life. But it seems that no matter the division, no matter the facility, you see similar instances of "calling a driver out" so to speak. Sure, sometimes it is indeed warranted, but this behavior as a whole should quickly cease to happen to avoid future incidents to not just drivers, but even safety workers and officials as well who may also get caught up in the line of fire.

But as racers can attest, sometimes you don't think properly in the heat of the moment or when you think you've been greatly wronged. It's human nature. Still, perhaps one should sit that extra moment in the car and take a few deep breaths and calm down a little. At least give the safety workers time to get to you (And for that matter the cars to slow completely down) and even "escort" you during your rant. That extra (and much more visible) body, whom will keep a more safe distance from moving cars, could help avoid a similar situation if you really want to risk losing your cool. Just remember, be mindful of your surroundings and don't go running 2/3 of the way down the track just to point out who wronged you. Nothing good will come of a man (or woman for that matter) trying to win an argument vs. a moving racecar. It's just not worth the risk on something that might not of been said accused driver's fault. I've seen my fair share of driver's mad at the wrong person. But either way there needs to be some sort of change to this behavior as a whole. And it's up to the drivers ability to change this behavior on how deep tracks need to go on perhaps a rule enforcement.

While not completely related; this is why officials tell you to slow down (And be observant) during cautions. And even stop as quickly and safely as possible, and to not drive through an accident scene during a red. And this is why Bloomington (and likely other places) has the "No Hot-Lapping" rule, where you're not supposed to run at anything over part-throttle while under yellow (unless otherwise directed by an official). It's for the safety of everyone both in and out of the cars. In hopes that it would avoid someone getting accidentally hurt.

Racers will be racers, incidents will happen. Somewhere something will need to change be it ethics and/or a rule. Hopefully everyone can learn from this and find a solution that will prevent something like this from happening again.

Just my two cents. Sadly this whole incident has gotten blown out of control and proportion by the media due to Stewart being involved... and unfortunately the finger pointing has been going on since hour one. No matter the outcome, someone somewhere is gonna be p-ed off and blah-blah-blah. The only ones who should be worried about the outcome is to everyone directly involved. As long as they can come to terms with the results and accept them, that is what truly matters.

[rdzsprint]

I didn't want to get into this subject, but I can't let it slide. Tony Stewart , nor any other race car driver on this planet, would ever harm another driver. Not taking sides , you should NEVER approach - on foot - moving vehicles at a race track or anywhere for that matter. It's dark , the guy is dressed in black, track is black / slick and there is slim to none vision looking out the right side of a winged sprint car. The racetrack is NO place to settle differences. Track officials and sanctioning bodies can issue penalties if necessary.

It's pathetic how the "Lamestream" media uses " Dirty Laundry" to get ratings. In the video it looks like the guy almost jumped in front of, then backstepped, #45 I think? If THAT car had struck him this would be a small article on the back page of a local newspaper and you would hear no more about it. ...But since Tony is a big name it's in every newspaper, magazine, TV station on the planet. People who feed on "Tabloid Trash" and distribute it are no better than those who put put it out there. Tony shows up at local tracks, helps putting fans in the stands, and doesn't forget his " roots " and where he came from. I had the privelege of meeting him once and he's a great guy who gives as much, if not more , to auto racing than most do.

I can't dictate rules and won't get into arguments about them,but I think this macho crap about jumping out of your car and approaching oncoming traffic is borderline insane whether you're to blame or the victim. No good will become of it. Looks good in the WWF but this is not "Wrasslin".

Probably won't happen, but I hope tracks and sanctioning bodies will penalize drivers for putting themselves and others at risk by grandstanding, throwing objects etc., and approaching traffic. Dangerous for everyone and will achieve NOTHING.

My prayers go out to both drivers, it's painful for everyone.