A sprint car race at the Canandaigua Motorsports Park took a tragic turn on Saturday night, when NASCAR driver Tony Stewart struck and killed a fellow driver, reports USA Today.
During the race, Stewart and No. 13 sprint car driver Kevin Ward, Jr. battled a bit for position coming out of Turn 2, and Ward's car ultimately spun out, done for the day with a flat tire. Ward then got out of his car and began walking across the track, pointing his finger toward Stewart, who was driving back around on the caution lap. A video of the incident shows Stewart's car coming back into frame, then clipping Ward, flinging him on down the track. Officials reach Ward in seconds, and police confirmed he was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
"The driver of the 13…he hopped out to go and yell and pointed his finger at Tony, typical thing," Adam Dulski, who witnessed the incident, said. "The body made contact with the car and went sliding across the track. It was the worst thing I've ever seen."
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Police said Stewart was "fully cooperative" and not being investigated as part of a criminal matter. However, a team manager for the NASCAR star surprised many when he announced this morning that Stewart will race in an event at Watkins Glen, also in upstate New York, today.
Manager Greg Zipadelli called Stewart's upcoming race "business as usual," reports The Associated Press.
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