Tony Stewart hits rival driver, kills him in Sprint car race..

[Timco]

Originally Posted by Giller

From everything I've seen and read, TS is a hothead and full of himself. I really think he went high on the track simply to gloat over his crashed 'colleague' but did not realize that that same colleague had gotten out of the car and was on the track. KW should NOT have been on the track - he certainly put himself in a very dangerous situation, but TS should NOT have been running higher on the track and jeopardizing safety. There's lots of blame to go around - both KW and TS share a big chunk of it.

Well said. Seems in racing you're watching the car in front, not scanning the whole picture like we do driving on the road through intersections with pedestrians.

SURPRISE!! SOMEONE IS ON THE TRACK!!!

May have been a high pass to gloat not even knowing KW was out of his car.

[jsceash]

Updates show that many of the dirt tracks are implementing rules that prohibit the driver from leaving the car after an accident until emergency crew arrive. With fine and suspensions to follow anyone who does not comply. Nascar itself is expected to put a rule in place as early as today during their post race meeting.

Seems a shame that the rules get adjusted after something tragic happens and not before.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Timco

Well said. Seems in racing you're watching the car in front, not scanning the whole picture like we do driving on the road through intersections with pedestrians.

But they were under caution and no longer racing. You're supposed to be scanning for track workers removing the disabled video. that's why this tragedy really isn't a racing incident. Also, if Stewart has on-board video (there's talk it was deleted after the race), then it would show what was in TS' field of view. It would also presumably show if TS moved his steering to move away or toward the disabled car. If the deceased is clearly visible in the footage it will be very damaging.

[Timco]

How fast do you suppose they were moving under caution?

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Timco

How fast do you suppose they were moving under caution?

I would guess probably about 45-55 mph.

[stephen wilson]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

But they were under caution and no longer racing. You're supposed to be scanning for track workers removing the disabled video. that's why this tragedy really isn't a racing incident.

Have you ever raced competitively wheel-to-wheel ?

A track under caution, is still a HOT TRACK, and therefore a "racing incident".

Sprint cars have very quirkey handling, tons of H.P. , and a hair trigger throttle. In several forums, from people who race them, it was proposed that he goosed it while flicking the steering to try and kick the rear tires away from the victim.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

A track under caution, is still a HOT TRACK, and therefore a "racing incident".

That's not what I meant. Of course it happened during a race but the drivers were not racing at the time of the fatality. And any weekend warrior or full time professional knows that when the race is under caution there are track workers on the HOT TRACK. In other words, SLOW DOWN AND KEEP AWAY from disabled vehicle. Do you think TS did the best job possible to slow down and keep away from Ward's car? Doesn't look that way to me.

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

In several forums, from people who race them, it was proposed that he goosed it while flicking the steering to try and kick the rear tires away from the victim.

But why was he on high side of the track to begin with? At this point we can all see that other cars kept to the inside. What was Stewart doing up there? That question needs to answered.
And I suspect that many don't want to ask this question because they want to leave this as just an unfortunate tragedy.

[stephen wilson]

I don't know the rules for local circle track racing, but in SCCA, under a yellow the requirement is to keep your car under control, and no passing. Racers often take that as 90%, pros around 99%. There is no black and white "go 35 MPH" or "pass on the extreme far edge of the track". TS was under no obligation to be ON the inside edge of the track. He was well clear of the car, the driver should have moved away from the racing surface, not into it.

I do agree that there should be strict rules against drivers exiting the car onto the racing surface for these ridiculous temper tantrums. In SCCA, you're told to stay belted in until directed by corner workers that the area is safe.

[Nine8Six]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

.... it was proposed that he goosed it while flicking the steering to try and kick the rear tires away from the victim.

Exactly what I said in my previous post, as an experienced driver, that was his only option to prevent Ward getting hit by the back wheel. Only "an experienced driver" would have think of reacting as such and I believe TS being one of those with exp

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

But why was he on high side of the track to begin with? At this point we can all see that other cars kept to the inside. What was Stewart doing up there? That question needs to answered.

Its funny what little video can do. What you are missing is the most important part of this incident. That 1~2 seconds before e.g. the moment when TS goes 'WTF is this kid doing "in the middle" of the track'. Clearly TS had to go up the track trying to avoid a front collision with him.... that's why you see Ward backing up and climbing the up track just before.