While no charges are pending against Stewart after two police interviews, grieving members of Ward's inner circle are voicing their anger publicly after the death of the 20-year-old racer on the Watkins Glen racetrack.
In an emotional attack on the three-time NASCAR champion, Ward's aunt Wendi Ward, posted a furious message to Facebook on Sunday, labeling Stewart a "dick" following his fatal collision with the young racer, according to the Daily Mail.
The family has said it "appreciates all the prayer and support" but that members "would like time to grieve" a day after Ward was killed on a racetrack when he was hit by a car driven by the 43-year-old NASCAR star.
However, they have asked for time to "grieve and wrap our heads around all of this."
But the angry aunt didn't hold back when she sarcastically posted "thanks for thinking of our family tony Stewart (sic) when you decided to be a dick."
And on Sunday, some members of the Ward family posted a group picture to Facebook of them wearing T-shirts embossed with artwork on the back from Ward's website and the message "Always and forever."
Stewart has expressed his remorse over the incident and race officials claim there was nothing going on between the two drivers before Ward got out of his wrecked car to confront Stewart inside the Canandaigua Motorsports Park..
"There's no history with these two drivers," said Chuck Miller, the series race director.
"That's the competitive nature of the game and the drivers around it. Any time Tony has raced with us, Kevin also raced. Tony's been good for us."
"He was a good kid, fun to be around," Miller said about Ward.
"He was really talented and looked like a winner straight from the get-go."
Looks like Ward tried to get Stewart to stop by approaching his car. Stewart tried to avoid him but Ward ran to the car.
ReplyDeletealthough tragic....I saw in the video a man run towards moving vehicles while enraged and misjudged his positioning. I do not fault the driver....an analogy in the form of motor sports is motocross and or supercross riders immediately jump out of harms way when they have fallen. no motorcross rider tries to jump out onto the track unprotected...this should be addressed to all race car drivers that they must stop putting themselves in danger and create unsafe situations. Tony stewert will have to live with this tragedy for the rest of his life due to a young and dumb racer acting out immaturely....he wasn't the first but hopefully will be the last....
DeleteAn unexpected loss is hard to take. It will never make sense and never be forgotten. Kevin Ward RIP!
ReplyDeleteTony was just another of many drivers and risk takers that night aound the world doing what they love.
If this happened on the road it would be roadrage and you would already be charged, but when you have money!!! Its no different being on a track. Tonys experience told him what would happen if he guned it.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell are you taking about? The guy was jumping in front of moving cars...did you not notice the blue and white car almost take him out?
DeleteThe only reason this has gone on this long is precisely because Tony HAS money. The Ward family, with support from the media, will push and push until there is an out-of-court settlement, then the lawyer will keep 50% and no one will say a thing. It IS about money, but not for the reason you provided.
DeleteThis was a case of a 20-year-old hot head who was gong to try to show Tony up, and when that didn't happen he got out of the car and walked in to the path of cars going 80+ mph. Here's a newsflash, the human body will ALWAYS lose in that situation.
Road rage on the part of the guy who left his car...Pretty simple....stay in your car and there is no accident.
DeleteIt looks to me that Stewart intentionally fish-tailed his car. I think he just wanted to throw a little mud at the kid. Since Stewart couldn't control Wards actions he should have controlled his own a little better. We've all seen Stewarts temper and his obvious disdain for those he considers less talented than himself. Stewarts arrogance caused this.
DeleteThis was 100% wards fault for approaching the car, how anyone could think tony is to blame for this is ridiculous. Unless your on fire you stay in your car until the safety crew arrives, plain and simple.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it was Ward's fault...but calling a deceased person a moron? Let's please have a little class!
ReplyDeleteI am inclined to agree. You do not get out of a car on a race track until the safety crew arrives. Also Ward was obviously looking for a confrontation. I understand the family is upset but the blame lies with the irresponsible
ReplyDeleteactions of Mr. Ward.
If that dumbass would have stayed in his car none of this would have happened
ReplyDeleteWhy did he gun it on a yellow?????????????
DeleteWhy would it matter, don't get out of the car you don't have to worry about who guns anything.
DeleteWard is to blame also. He was acting out in a very dangerous situation and walking into the way of the race cars. As far as Stewart's concerned he's at fault for not observing the wreck and it's surroundings, that's just "racing 101".
ReplyDeleteMy deepest Condolences to the Ward family. As far as blame no one knows what was on the minds of those two drivers at the time of this tragic accident. If the helmets would have had communicating capability with the driver and pit crew I feel a different out come would have happened. Tempers flare when an accident happens. I've seen it many times in all forms of motor sports. I know change now won't bring Kevin back but it may save someone else's life. Again my deepest condolences to the Ward family.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly a tragedy that this young man lost his life but unfortunately it was 100% his own fault. Tony Stewart is not to blame! Unfortunately Kevin Ward committed suicide that evening when he stepped out of the car. It appears he gets his trait of being a hot-head from his Aunt. I SUPPORT TONY STEWART 100%!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe hot head is Tony Stewart. He could have stopped that car. He was jealous of this young kid. He was the new thing and that hot head jerk sped up. He should go to prison.
DeleteHow can you people support a hit and run!
ReplyDeleteAre you serious?
DeleteGet out of your car on the highway, at night and chase down a oncoming car and see if you don't get hit. I don't like Stewart but put blame where blame deserves to be. The reason cars are required to slow and move to bottom lane during a caution and NOT stop is because the drivers should be IN THE CAR and not running 70% across the track at oncoming cars.
DeleteOk retard, go run onto the track at the next NASCAR event, get run over, and charge the driver with hit and run. See how that works out for you.
DeleteHow is this hit and run you tool! three drivers passed Ward before Tony came around the track. This was a hot headed young kid who ended his own life with his temper. Im no Tony Stewart fan, but you can blame #43 for this. You bud have never been around racing.
DeleteWhile I feel terrible for Kevin's family the bottom line is you don't run into the middle of a poorly lit track wearing a black helmet and black fire suit. It's clear from the video that Tony didn't see him until the last second and tried to avoid him but couldn't. I'm appalled by the media and there "this happened because Tony Stewart has a short temper" spin on this story. The media seems more interested in ratings than the truth. Shame on them and the people that can't think for themselves and hang on every word the media says as if it were the Gospel.
ReplyDeleteI've been to a couple of these races and they are not well lit. While it's tragic that Ward lost his life, he should have stayed in the car instead of walking into traffic. This was not Tony Stewart's fault no matter how loudly you scream about it.
ReplyDeleteBottom line you don't get out of your car how many times have we seen a car get hit after the wreck was over. Smart people settle it in the pits not playing chicken with a sprint car, Ward should have realized IT when the white car almost hit him. Just my opinion from a racers stand point.
ReplyDeleteI was a flag man years ago and I told the drivers that you do not get out of your car unless it is on fire. You stay in the car until the safety crew get to you to see if you are all right. Kevin should have stayed in the car. He could have been hit getting out of the car. Sorry for the loss of your son. Thinking of your family at this tragic time.
ReplyDeleteIts pretty simple, just stay in the car.Not Tonys fault.
ReplyDeletetruth
ReplyDeleteWards family can be upset all they want. There boy pulled a stupid move that killed him. plain and simple. Tony Stewert did not try and run that boy down. You DO NOT run out in front of another speeding racing car. It is so sad that he is gone. But...
ReplyDeleteHE.. brought all of that on himself..and paid the ultimate price.
Yes, the Ward family seems to be. Also not very educated.
ReplyDeleteSo sad for the families that Kevin made the biggest mistake of his short life.
ReplyDeleteKevin RIP. Tony keep your head up. EVERYONE knows not YOUR fault.
Condolences to the Ward family for having a hot head who got himself killed... Watch closely as he got out of his car... He was looking for a fight and got one...
ReplyDeleteHE WAS JUST 20 AND MADE A BIG MISTAKE BY GETTING OUT OF HIS CAR ON THE TRACK WHILE THE OTHER CARS WAS STILL MOVING TONY DID NO WRONG THE CAN AT TONY THE WAS A ROOKIE MISTAKE ON HIS PARK OF DRIVING HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER BUT HE DIDN'T USE HIS HEAD
ReplyDeleteANY ROOKIE KNOW WHEN U GET OUT BEFORE THE RACING SAFETY CREW GET TO U IT A BIG MISTAKE TO DO THAT NOW HE PAY THE PRICE WITH HIS LIFE AND TONY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG AND TONY THE KIDS MADE A BIG MISTAKE BY GETTING OUT OF HIS CAR TONY WASN'T TRYING TO HIT HIM THE KIDS SHOULD KNOW NOT TO GO A MOVING CAR WHILE THE RACE IS STILL GOING ON
ReplyDeleteEven the crew man from the45 car that passed by ward right before tony hit him said the driver in the 45 barely saw him as well and just missed hitting him which left him right in tonys path. Learn the facts people before you flap of that tony did something wrong
ReplyDeleteyou have got be kidding me... the other drivers slow down. Tony Stewart revved his car and swerved at him. If it were the other way around it would have been like Earnhart died all over again. Sad. Tony didn't even slow down to see where he flung this young man to. SAD
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost my thoughts and prayers are with the ward family. The aunt has every right to feel that way. She is upset and needing to put blame somewhere other than her nephews poor judgmebt and actions. Not tonys fault. A tony pulled a text book slide job,they never made contact. Ward had the option to drag his brake and attempt to drive under tony. He chose to ride it out and it failed. Every driver gets out and inspects the damage to dedetermine whether or not they are able to make repairs and get back in the race. He opted to act like a tough guy and charge at a 1400lb sprint car. Nearly hit by the 45 he steps back and then steps further into the line of oncoming traffic. Ive lost two friends to sprint car accidents and had another friend end up a quadrapalegic due to a sprint car crash. It truely is a tragedy, but there is nobody to blame but kevins temper in this sad sad event
ReplyDeleteWell Said!!
DeleteRevved his car and swerved at him? What video angle were you watching? Because that is not even close to what I've seen. A 20 kid who has more of a temper than experience, tried to grab a moving vehicle with his hands, missed, fell, and got run over.
ReplyDeletejust like Ward's family. D!@K!!!
ReplyDeleteObviously the whole family has anger issues. If they would have raised him right the boy wouldn't be dead.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a dumb move on Ward's part to get out of his car & walk out on the track ~ but he is not the only driver who has ever done that ... all he wanted to do was confront Stewart for running him into the wall & ruining his car. No matter who you put the blame on, plain & simple, Stewart ran over & KILLED another driver!!!
ReplyDeleteIF Tony didn't see Ward, how come less than 100' down the track, after the "accident", did Stewart pull over & STOP??? I can't believe all the mindless, heartless fans who believe that Stewart was not at fault ~ it WAS Stewart's car that ran Ward over & killed him, no doubt about it. Do all the other race car drivers a favor & hang it up, hot headed Tony!!!