Did Tony Stewart Kill Someone Tonight?

[Mr. Flopnuts]

I'm seeing it on Twitter. On my phone and can't link. One of his fans says he ran over someone on a yellow and should be arrested for it.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Bacon Cheeseburger

The dude was right down in the line of traffic and it's very possible the cars in front of Tony blocked his line of sight since he was coming around a turn. If Ward had stayed up by his car and waited until Tony was the next one to come by then I would agree that Tony should've seen him.

I can understand that somewhat, but the car in front swerved around something, right? stewart at that point, IMO, should have realized something could be there.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by -King-

The guy is able to process a tremendous amount of information while driving 200MPH regularly. But this was too much for him?

Ok.

He has the benefit of spotters in NASCAR racing, dumb****. I don't know why I even continue to dignify your ignorant posts with responses.

[Demonpenz]

Did ward die of a broken neck?

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

they aren't one wheel peel lol. and I wouldn't think that would cause it to rev but im not sure its even that car that revved...

I have no idea, just something that occurred to me so I thought I'd throw it out there. The rev had to come from Tony's car because it lurched when it happened.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

I can understand that somewhat, but the car in front swerved around something, right? stewart at that point, IMO, should have realized something could be there.

Man it is so hard to tell what either of the cars did from that shitty video because the guy was zoomed in and the way he jumped back and forth from the two cars. That's why I find it amusing that so many people seem to be drawing conclusive information from it.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Bacon Cheeseburger

He has the benefit of spotters in NASCAR racing, dumb****. I don't know why I even continue to dignify your ignorant posts with responses.

It's still a SHIT TON more information to process in NASCAR. Otherwise, all the other drivers doing dirt racing like Ward would be in NASCAR too.

You have a lot more to be aware of and to process going 200MPH with a spotter than going 30 without.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Bacon Cheeseburger

Man it is so hard to tell what either of the cars did from that shitty video because the guy was zoomed in and the way he jumped back and forth from the two cars. That's why I find it amusing that so many people seem to be drawing conclusive information from it.

it definitely changed it path. the wing wobbled. but I cant tell much about anything else lol. I wish we could see the other video the police say they have shot from the rear view.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Strongside

I'm apprehensive to get involved in this thread again due to the lack of facts and a seemingly abundant amount of bias one way or the other.

I do, however, want to say that the whole 'throttle to steer the car' argument is being blown way out of proportion. I drove street stocks and modifieds on dirt from age 16 to age 26, so I think I'm at least partially qualified to speak on it. While I've never driven a sprint car, there are many similarities between them and a modified. Here is a modified for reference.

Dirt track racing, at least in the turns, is a lot like drift racing on asphalt. The tracks are watered down early and become tacky, but by the middle of the night, most tracks become what is known as 'dry/slick', which is why they appear shiny, almost like asphalt. This happens from the rubber being transferred to the dry track and causing a slick, hard surface on top of the dirt. To drive the cars faster through the turns, drivers over-throttle the car, causing the back wheels to spin and the rear-end to fishtail, or slide away from the turn. The cars turn just fine at normal speeds, but without the wheel-spin at high speeds, you can't corner at any sort of competitive rate. Tony stomping on the gas, in my opinion, was not to be able to turn the car in a hurry. I think, and again, this is my opinion, that Tony was trying to basically tell the kid to back off and Ward was simply too close to the car...the extreme stagger on the right rear tire, and it's oversize...coupled with the throttle being hit, caused Ward to get sucked under...and the rest is the rest.

I in no way think that Stewart meant to kill this kid. I think he was being his normal, hot-headed self and was trying to buzz the guy's tower a little. It's a tragic accident and is sad for everyone involved.

I'm not the expert that you are, but that was my take away as well. He didn't mean to kill the kid, but he did want to scare him.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

I'm not the expert that you are, but that was my take away as well. He didn't mean to kill the kid, but he did want to scare him.

ALL YOU SAW WAS ONE VIDEO! HOW DARE YOU INFER A CONCLUSION!!

[B_Ambuehl]

Has anyone here driven a 4 wheeler? He's turning to the left but his rear end fishtails to the left, which requires turning the wheel quickly to the right and popping the accelerator. A fishtail doesn't happen very effectively without some throttle input and it's most difficult when making a left hand turn. The only way that happens is if Stewart suddenly saw the guy standing there and tried to avoid him.

[RNR]

Originally Posted by -King-

ALL YOU SAW WAS ONE VIDEO! HOW DARE YOU INFER A CONCLUSION!!

Suspecting something and coming to a conclusion are quite different. If you have your mind made up knowing as little as you do makes me only hope you’re never on a jury~

[-King-]

Originally Posted by RNR

Suspecting something and coming to a conclusion are quite different. If you have your mind made up knowing as little as you do makes me only hope you’re never on a jury~

I don't have my mind made up. I think I know what happened based on what I saw. Could be wrong. Could be right. That's the point of this thread. To discuss it.

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by Strongside

I'm apprehensive to get involved in this thread again due to the lack of facts and a seemingly abundant amount of bias one way or the other.

I do, however, want to say that the whole 'throttle to steer the car' argument is being blown way out of proportion. I drove street stocks and modifieds on dirt from age 16 to age 26, so I think I'm at least partially qualified to speak on it. While I've never driven a sprint car, there are many similarities between them and a modified. Here is a modified for reference.

Dirt track racing, at least in the turns, is a lot like drift racing on asphalt. The tracks are watered down early and become tacky, but by the middle of the night, most tracks become what is known as 'dry/slick', which is why they appear shiny, almost like asphalt. This happens from the rubber being transferred to the dry track and causing a slick, hard surface on top of the dirt. To drive the cars faster through the turns, drivers over-throttle the car, causing the back wheels to spin and the rear-end to fishtail, or slide away from the turn. The cars turn just fine at normal speeds, but without the wheel-spin at high speeds, you can't corner at any sort of competitive rate. Tony stomping on the gas, in my opinion, was not to be able to turn the car in a hurry. I think, and again, this is my opinion, that Tony was trying to basically tell the kid to back off and Ward was simply too close to the car...the extreme stagger on the right rear tire, and it's oversize...coupled with the throttle being hit, caused Ward to get sucked under...and the rest is the rest.

I in no way think that Stewart meant to kill this kid. I think he was being his normal, hot-headed self and was trying to buzz the guy's tower a little. It's a tragic accident and is sad for everyone involved.

I think I'm at a similar mindset. I'm not outright saying Stewart is innocent, just that I'm presuming it. If I had to put a percentage on it, I'd say its 55% chance its a total accident where he didn't even see him, and 45% chance that he saw him, wanted to scare him, and accidentally killed him. No way was this intentional, and no way will he ever be convicted in criminal court. Maybe civil court where the burden of proof is lower.

[RNR]

Originally Posted by -King-

I don't have my mind made up. I think I know what happened based on what I saw. Could be wrong. Could be right. That's the point of this thread. To discuss it.

Well that falls pretty short from a conclusion. I am glad to hear you admit that. There are so many factors that haven't even been considered in this thread. All would be speculation also. The video is provides very little evidence. I have read there is another video the authorities are viewing. I have not seen it and hope it shows a better angle. I like most suspect there was bravado involved. I have an extremely hard time believing he ran him over purposely. I would need much more evidence to even go as far as saying I have a good guess~

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by alnorth

I think I'm at a similar mindset. I'm not outright saying Stewart is innocent, just that I'm presuming it. If I had to put a percentage on it, I'd say its 55% chance its a total accident where he didn't even see him, and 45% chance that he saw him, wanted to scare him, and accidentally killed him. No way was this intentional, and no way will he ever be convicted in criminal court. Maybe civil court where the burden of proof is lower.

my percentages would be a little different, but otherwise I agree.

I would think the probability of him seeing the guy is higher.