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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
    
| Let's change the circumstances just a little bit......
A couple are driving down a busy freeway and get in to a horrible fight. Driver slams on the brakes after passenger screams repeatedly "Stop the car!!" and the passenger jumps out in the heat of the moment and runs out in to traffic, desperate in the heat of the moment to get away......and gets hit after several cars manage to dodge him/ her.
And you blame the driver of the second car???? Part of the sport or not, if you run out in to traffic shaking your fist at oncoming traffic there are likely to be severe consequences.
Is it a terrible tragedy? YES!
Should it be actionable legally? Not IMHO but the lawyers will do anything to make a buck. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | prayers for both sides. only time will tell |
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| txbredbr - 2014-08-11 2:04 PM runs4fun - 2014-08-11 7:34 AM If there is indeed a civil suit, and if it prevails, what a shame! What a shame that a person chooses to get out of their race car for the express purpose of throwing a temper tantrum, runs out in front of approaching race cars and gets hit can cause anyone else from profiting off of it...if it happens we should all be appalled.
Edited to add: that's like someone choosing to walk up the alley way of a barrel race when they know another barrel racer is on their way full-speed and when they get plowed down by a horse and killed the family sues the rider, the arena, the association etc. Using the idea that a horse should be easy to stop no faster than they are going - 20 - 30 mph.. Ridiculous!! Would you feel responsible for hitting someone that CHOSE to walk up the alleyway- maybe a dark alleyway - especially when others start saying that you hit that person on purpose. Really? Think about it. I know, but it happens all the time in those races -- Tony even does it (althought there may be some rule changes, now)! Just like I don't understand why people congregate on horse and on foot at the mouth of an alley in the middle of a barrel race or rodeo - but they do it all the time and it's dangerous.
Sadly, this young man was so young and had no doubt seen this kind of behavior countless times and therefore considered it acceptable. As a matter of fact, he may of considered it to be expected of him as a race car driver that had been "spun out" by another raceer. God rest his soul, it didn't work out for him. Hopefully, this incident will make others think twice before they do the same thing.
Race cars are dangerous. Getting out of a race car and running out into traffic is really dangerous. Horses are dangerous. Barrel racing is dangerous. We all choose what we are willing to risk when decide to participate.
Edited by runs4fun 2014-08-11 2:44 PM
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Boot Detective
Posts: 1900
| I have watched the video over and over. IMO the kid committed suicide by getting out of his car and walking into the traffic throwing a fit. He used very poor judgement. On the other hand, the car ahead of Tony S appears to slow down to avoid the guy but then Tony's car appears to speed up and swerve/spin out towards the boy. I have read a lot of posts today about how those cars handle and about the blind view to the right side. I still don't have an opinion whether if was a total accident or not but the video I have seen does make it look bad on T's part. Hopefully after all the racers see this, they will be well coached to stay in their car until all the action stops. |
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I'm a Cry Baby
Posts: 3781
Location: n.c. | It's part of the driver's meeting at every race track in the country; supposed to be standard procedure. You never get out of your car after a wreck unless you are in grave physical danger. NEVER!!! |
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  Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | LRQHS - 2014-08-11 12:19 PM GoBuddyGo - 2014-08-11 12:11 PM He was mad because he thought Tony put him into the wall. So, he was going out on the track to point his finger at Tony to show he was mad. Wow. I probably would have just told Tony I was mad after the race......sent him a text or something.
Someone dislikes this statement......but, in retrospect it probably would have been a better decision don't you think??? |
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Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | LRQHS - 2014-08-11 3:19 PM LRQHS - 2014-08-11 12:19 PM GoBuddyGo - 2014-08-11 12:11 PM He was mad because he thought Tony put him into the wall. So, he was going out on the track to point his finger at Tony to show he was mad. Wow. I probably would have just told Tony I was mad after the race......sent him a text or something.
So, that wouldn't have been a better decision? You actually wanted him to die? Ummmm, ok.... |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | runs4fun - 2014-08-11 12:02 PM I just saw a post on FB by someone who said this: Wouldn't it be nice if ALL our US soldiers that lose their lives defending the freedoms of people all around the world got as much attention as this incident on a race track? Tragedies happen everyday all over the world but some get lots of attention and others don't.
This racing incident is indeed a tragedy for everyone involved, but when put into perspective, I think this ladies statement says a lot about our society as a whole.
I couldn't agree more.
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Hearts at Home
Posts: 2754
Location: Some where over the Rainbow | I am a huge Tony Stewart fan and I don't beileve this was intentional at all....I have seen the video and really don't want to see it again. My heart felt thoughts and prayers go out to the Ward family and to Tony Stewart as well. Tony is very competitive and can be a hot head yes but in no way is he a unfeeling man that would intentionally do harm on anyone, Ive been told Tony is a great guy with a huve heart and I'm sure he is torn up over all of this and I will not assume anything other than The Ward family and Tony are going through alot right and need prayers and understanding. May God give them all strength, peace and understanding to get through this.
Edited by Poohsmum 2014-08-11 10:49 PM
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 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | Someone asked about spotters. Sprint car doesn't have spotters like Nascar does. |
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Common Sense and then some
Location: So. California | Nateracer - 2014-08-11 6:43 AM I've watched dirt track races my whole life, from the little 4 cylinders to modifiers, late models and sprint cars. Sprint car handling is a totally different ball game than any other car.
BUT... To say they HAVE to get on the gas to make a turn is a complete joke and blatant LIE!! Otherwise how would they come into the pits and make hairpin turns around hundreds of people and other race cars without running over the whole mess of us??? Heck, 1/2 the time they come into the pits under NO power, motor not even running, to coast into their pit stall behind the hauler. Tell me how revving an engine to turn accomplishes that??
Did Tony mean to do it, probably not. Could he have been trying to spin the tires and throw dirt at the kid? Maybe? There are so many speculations, who knows, but I really hope the investigation is fair to both parties and we get a good honest judgement. I posted on FB that I lost respect for Tony, idk if I'll retract it or not. I will say the kid shouldn't have gotten out of the car, but drivers do it all the time!! There is a famous NASCAR moment where one guy throws his helmet at the car/driver he's piffed at!! So that part isn't new, just not smart.
That driver was Tony Stewart, he was the one who threw his helmet. Ironic, isn't it. 
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 Expert
Posts: 4121
Location: SE Louisiana | I don't follow race race cars at all... But even I know the only reason to get out of your car after a crash is to get OFF the track... I can see he was upset because Stewart ran him into the wall.... But what he did was foolish.. Even for a 20 year old... Perfect example of Road Rage on a track.. Unfortunately this young man will never learn from his mistake.. But perhaps others will...
Edited by komet. 2014-08-12 4:32 AM
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 Goat Giver
Posts: 23166
| Frenchie - 2014-08-11 12:59 PM I know nothing about dirt cars or racing but have to say during tragedies like this people tend to lose their minds.
Someone said they could hear TS rev his engine on the film? No way. There were how many other cars on the track and they can tell it was him? Nope. Maybe there is other evidence he did rev the engine but "the film" and hearing it is faulty.
Aside from the who is at fault arguement, WHY DO THEY SELL ALL BLACK FIRE SUITS?!! We all know they look cool but visibility is an issue, don't manufacture black suits, don't buy them. Just seems like it would be a good idea in all cases, not just here. Dirty windshields or visors, bad lights, moisture, all things that make visibility bad. Don't add to it.
My husband wears a black fire suit. I bought him a purple one with a yellow stripe and he didn't like it..........he wore it a little but prefers the black. He is also smart enough to stay off the dang track.
A life was lost and many lives were changed. If you were not on the track or in Stewart's car, I don't think you can know what happened. I hope all those judging are perfect........ |
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