The aunt of the race car driver who was struck and killed Saturday by NASCAR racer Tony Stewart has written a scathing message online calling Mr. Stewart a “d—k.”
“Thanks for thinking of our family Tony Stewart when you decided to be a d—k!” wrote Wendi Ward, whose nephew, Kevin Ward, was killed at Canandaigua Motorsports Park Saturday, the New York Daily News reported.
Mr. Ward, 20, had crashed on Lap 14 of the 25-lap Empire Super Sprints event. He got out of his car and walked onto the track, angrily waving his arms when Mr. Stewart’s car hit him and sent him tumbling down the track. He was pronounced dead within an hour.
“I feel numb,” Ms. Ward wrote. “I look into the eyes of family and see a deep hurt that should not be there, my heart has pounded out of my chest for hours.”
“My nephew was one of a kind, a true race car driver, a piss head and a sweetie all in one, a young man who will be truly missed by many!” she concluded. “Aunt Wendi loves you budster, forever in our hearts.”
Mr. Stewart, 43, decided not to race Sunday at Watkins Glen International in light of the tragedy. He could face criminal charges, and Ontario County Sheriff Philip C. Povero said he was continuing to gather evidence in the investigation.
A friend of Mr. Ward told the Daily News that he and Mr. Stewart had butted heads in previous races, and that Mr. Stewart held a bit of a grudge against the young rival.
Mr. Stewart said in a statement Sunday: “There aren’t words to describe the sadness I feel about the accident that took the life of Kevin Ward Jr. 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. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and everyone affected by this tragedy.”
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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