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At 35mph, no one is drifting. Tony saw the guy, no doubt about it. He's expressed wanting to run over people before.
I can imagine Tony has a temper like I do only difference is, he's pulled the trigger and I haven't...
There is no way for anyone to make any sort of meaningful conclusion about what likely happened if they have no experience and do not understand how these cars work, what the environment is like, what you can see out of the drivers compartment, what it is like on a high bank dirt track and night, etc.
From the video, is appears Tony reacts about the time the front of his car gets to Ward. At that point, Tony gases it and tries to pitch the rear out of the way (on a tacky track like that...they are probably running close to 20" of stagger...if you even know what that means.)....but it was too late.
It has also been reported that the driver of the 45 car stated that he barely saw the guy at the last instant. You can also see Ward reversing and running back up the track at the last instant after he realizes he is too far down the track. The 45 car was probably only 5 feet from the bottom of the track...and Wad is nearly 2/3 of the way onto the track...leaving cars very little room to work with.
There is also the question of motive. Have you watched the previous lap? Tony (14) passes Ward (13), and does not even appear to touch him. The first contact was Wards right rear into the wall. When Wards car comes to a stop the right rear is down from hitting the wall. When you tap someones left front with your right rear, your car will jump up the track. Tony's car smoothly exited the corner. The front of Tony's care does no jump up the track, meaning Tony did not perceive any contact. To Tony...a guy crashed behind him. Tony would thus have no reason to even expect that the 13 driver would be so pissed at him. People like to point to Tony having a temper in the past, but generally there is some event where a person feels wronged to get them angry. What motivation would Tony have had for trying to teach Ward a lesson...or scare him? It is not even reasonable for Tony to expect Wart to be out of the car and that far down on the track.
Looks to me like a hot head kid with an attitude who was bent about getting passed by the big star. He exhibited no self control, let his emotions get to him, and made a series of very bad decisions, which cost him his life.
Mike Alessi just took his shirt off...
2. It has been reported that the 45 driver was interviewed, and he stated that he barely saw the guy. Also, the guy was withing a few feet of getting hit by the 45...and Tony was even further up the track. You can see Ward realize he is in Tony's path..and he starts to run up the track BEFORE Tony reacts. If Tony deliberately moved to hit him..then WHY would Ward be trying to get out of the way BEFORE Tony reacts? The line of sight from Tony's car to the Ward may also have placed Ward in front of his car..which has the same color scheme as his gear. So it is pretty absurd for you to conclude Tony saw him. There is only one person who can know that, Tony.
3. It has been reported that Tony turned his GoPro over to the Sheriff's Dept...and so far, the Sheriff has stated that there is no evidence of criminal intent. That GoPro is the closest anyone will ever come to seeing what Tony saw, the Sheriff has seen it, and stated that there is no evidence that this is anything but a tragic accident.
Here is the scenario Tony faced. He sees Ward at the last instant...misses him with the front, and then knows from experience instantly that he has to move the rear of his car left. If he turns the wheels left, the rear will actually go right..which will hit Ward more. If he hits the rear brake, the stagger and live axle will cause the front of the car to pitot around the rear, and actually the swing teh nerf bar more into Ward. Left front brake will cause the left front of the car to dive, and the rear will go more into Ward. The only thing is to gas hard to break the rears loose, and turn right in hopes of pivoting the car around Ward, which is exactly what Tony did.
No race car driver ever tries to hit ANY stationary object.
Up till this point the only person I was aware that actually races Sprint and has knowledge of being in the driver seat and car reaction is Racer92. I'm pretty certain if this was a boating accident, everyone here would be a captain of some sort. Google makes everyone an authority to provide a professional opinion on anything.
/rantoff
Pit Row
BTW STFU Noob!
But like many things in this world it's not what it seems, and listening to a couple people that have experience on here with these cars and know what they are talking about has changed my mind 180. I think he was trying to avoid him 100% and it sucks that a lot of people that hear his name forever will think oh remember when he ran over that kid and how he's a murderer..
ALL motor sports are dangerous, shit happens all you can do is try to be as safe as possible, and that kid fucked up big time by putting himself directly in the race line...
Also, for those that keep harping about his temper. Honestly. Why would Stewart even give two shits about a no name driver like that to even have a motive to do what they seem to be implying....ridiculous..
Like I said earlier. Never know who's reading this stuff.
Post a reply to: Tony Stewart, MX COMPARISON