Kevin Ward Archives - The Weekly Driver

Tony Stewart criminally cleared in Kevin Ward’s death

Tony Stewart, the controversial race car driver known for his aggressive style and fiery temper, will not face criminal charges in Kevin Ward Jr.’s death, a grand jury in New York has decided. Disrtict Attorney Michael Tantillo in Ontario County, N.Y., announced there was no basis for criminal charges. Stewart was racing Aug. 9 in the Empire Super Sprints Series at a half-mile dirt oval in Canandaigua, N.Y., on the night Ward was killed. Ward and Stewart were battling for position midway through the feature race, and Ward hit the outside wall and spun with a flat tire. Upset with Stewart, Ward scrambled out of his car and approached his car under caution while gesturing angrily. After being struck, he

Automotive News

Tony Stewart accident: Manslaughter or mistake?

The death of Kevin Ward, Jr., on Saturday night Aug. 9 at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in upstate New York immediately brought further attention to the increasing tension involving the aggressive habits and tempers of drivers like Tony Stewart. Ward, 20, was fatally injured when he was struck by a sprint car driven by Stewart. The incident occurred after the cars of Stewart and Ward cars collided on the track. Ward spun out into the outer wall of the track, but within seconds he climbed out of his car and looked for Stewart’s car to express anger. The race had continued under a yellow flag and after three cars pass, Stewart’s car struck Ward and it dragged him along the track.