12:40 p.m. UPDATE WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — Tony Stewart says “there aren’t words” to describe his sadness over the accident that killed Kevin Ward Jr.
In a statement released by spokesman Mike Arning, Stewart says “my thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and everyone affected by this tragedy.”
The three-time NASCAR champion hit Kevin Ward Jr. on Saturday night as Ward walked toward Stewart’s car following an on-track incident at Canandaigua Motorsports Park.
Stewart says “It’s a very emotional time for all involved, and it is the reason I’ve decided not to participate in today’s race at Watkins Glen.”
The decision was an about-face for his racing team, which said earlier Sunday that Stewart would be behind the wheel of his No. 14 Chevrolet when the green flag waved. Regan Smith drove Stewart’s car instead.
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UPDATE 9:23 a.m. WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — Tony Stewart will not race Sunday following the death of a sprint car driver who was struck and killed by Stewart at an upstate New York dirt track.
Greg Zipadelli, competition director for Stewart-Haas Racing, said the three-time NASCAR champion “feels strongly” he should not race at Watkins Glen following Kevin Ward Jr.’s fatal accident.
Regan Smith will replace Stewart in the car.
Ward had climbed from his car on the darkened dirt track and was trying to confront Stewart when he was struck Saturday night.
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Tony Stewart- photo NASCAR
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (AP) — A manager for NASCAR driver Tony Stewart’s racing team says Stewart will race in an event Sunday in upstate New York.The decision comes hours after Stewart struck and killed a driver who was walking on a dirt track during a race on Saturday night.
A video of the crash at Canandaigua Motorsports Park showed driver Kevin Ward Jr. stepping toward Stewart’s car before being hit and hurtled 50 feet. It appeared Ward was trying to confront Stewart when he was struck.
Team manager Greg Zipadelli says Stewart will race in NASCAR’s event Sunday at Watkins Glen, calling the race “business as usual.”
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WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) — A spokesman for Tony Stewart calls the death of a fellow driver he struck and killed at an upstate New York dirt track a “tragic accident.”
The three-time NASCAR champion hit Kevin Ward Jr. on Saturday night as Ward walked toward Stewart’s car following an on-track incident at Canandaigua Motorsports Park.
In a statement released Sunday morning, a representative for Stewart says, “our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.” The statement says Stewart’s team is still trying to sort through the details of the accident.
Stewart is scheduled to race later Sunday in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen.