Tony Stewart says he has not spoken with Kevin Ward Jr.'s family -- and doesn't feel he needs to -- explaining that he already has closure because he knows the deadly crash was an accident.
43-year-old Stewart just took questions from reporters ... and said he's offered to speak with Kevin's family but explained, "I don't need to talk to them for closure."
"I know what happened and I know that it was an accident."
Tony says, "I'm willing to talk to [Kevin's family] if it helps them ... I'm available if and when they want to talk."
Tony says he regrets choosing to race on August 9th -- and says he wishes he never got in the car.
"The first 3 or 4 days [after the accident], I didn't want to see anybody," Stewart said ... explaining that he basically went into seclusion following the incident.
He also says he doesn't know when he will race again -- but says today's news conference is a huge step toward re-entering the racing world.
Tony says despite the accident, he still "loves" racing -- and says it's his passion.
See also
Kevin Ward -- Family Considering Lawsuit Against Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart -- CLEARED Of Criminal Charges ... Kevin Ward Was High On Weed
- Tony Stewart TMZ Sports NASCAR
Kevin Ward Family Considering Lawsuit Against Tony Stewart
9/24/2014 2:50 PM PT
Tony Stewart is off the hook criminally in the death of Kevin Ward Jr. -- but Ward's family is threatening to drag the NASCAR superstar into court with a civil lawsuit.
Ward's family members say they are infuriated because they believe Stewart "intentionally tried to intimidate Kevin by accelerating and sliding his car towards him, causing the tragedy."
As TMZ Sports first reported, the Ontario County Grand Jury in New York decided not to charge Stewart after reviewing evidence from accident reconstruction experts.
The family is adamant Stewart was at fault. They refused to comment about toxicology tests which showed Kevin had marijuana in his system at the time of his death.
See also
Tony Stewart -- CLEARED Of Criminal Charges ... Kevin Ward Was High On Weed
Tony Stewart -- Officials Obtain 'Enhanced Video' In Death Investigation
- Kevin Ward Jr. Tony Stewart TMZ Sports NASCAR
Tony Stewart CLEARED Of Criminal Charges Kevin Ward was High on Weed
9/24/2014 10:23 AM PT
NASCAR star Tony Stewart will NOT face criminal charges in the death of Kevin Ward Jr. ... and in a shocking revelation, we now know Ward was high on weed at the time of his death.
TMZ Sports broke the story...the Ontario County Grand Jury in New York decided not to charge Stewart, after reviewing evidence from several accident reconstruction experts.
On the night of his death, Ward Jr. had gotten out of his car and was aggressively marching toward Stewart's car -- when he was struck. Now we know drug tests on the body produced proof Ward was under the influence of marijuana.
There was talk that Stewart was angry with Ward Jr. and may have intentionally veered his car into him -- but apparently the grand jury feels it was nothing more than a freak accident.
We're told the enhanced video showed Stewart did not make any sudden or suspicious moves on the track before his car collided with Ward.
See also
Tony Stewart -- Officials Obtain 'Enhanced Video' In Death Investigation
Tony Stewart -- I'm Back On The Track ... First Race Since Deadly Incident
- Tony Stewart CELEBRITY JUSTICE ™ TMZ Sports NASCAR Exclusive
Helio Castroneves NO CHUBBY DRIVERS IN INDY ... 'Only NASCAR'
8/29/2014 7:08 AM PT
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IndyCar drivers = lean, mean driving machines.
NASCAR drivers = fatties.
... this according to IndyCar stud Helio Castroneves.
You gotta watch this clip -- Helio is hilarious ... and picks a "Talladega Nights" style feud with NASCAR ...starting with their "beer bellies."
Jean Girard would be proud.
See also
Helio Castroneves -- Napa Quake Was ... 'Scariest Thing Of My Life!'
Indy Racer Helio Castroneves -- Soccer Guys Pull More Chicks ... But There's a Good Reason
- Helio Castroneves TMZ Sports NASCAR Ride Me Exclusive
Tony Stewart Back On The Track 1st Race Since Deadly Incident
8/28/2014 2:00 PM PT
Tony Stewart will get behind the wheel of his NASCAR ride again -- 3 weeks after his tragic on-track incident that killed fellow driver Kevin Ward Jr.
Tony's team, Stewart-Haas Racing, just announced he will be driving his #14 car this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Stewart sat out the last 3 NASCAR Sprint Cup races.
Cops have said it could be several more weeks before they determine whether Stewart will face any criminal charges for Ward's death.
Stewart sat out races that were critical, since he's battling to make the Chase -- NASCAR's playoff season. Presumably, he's taken the time to mentally recover from the incident -- which he called a tragedy.
Since then NASCAR put a new rule in place that requires drivers to stay in their cars after an on-track collision -- barring any immediate danger -- until safety officials get to them.
- Tony Stewart TMZ Sports NASCAR
NASCAR New Rule After Tony Stewart Incident STAY IN YOUR CAR
8/15/2014 6:13 AM PT
NASCAR is laying down new laws after Tony Stewart's deadly accident, and the new bottom line is simple -- after a wreck drivers should stay in their cars and stay away from other moving cars.
NASCAR VP of competition Robin Pemberton announced the rule change this morning and acknowledged it is the direct result of Stewart driving over Kevin Ward Jr. during an dirt track race last Saturday night.
The new rule is drivers who get into a wreck should not get out of the car or remove any safety equipment until safety personnel tell them to -- and once a driver is out of the car he or she should not walk around on the track or approach moving vehicles.
The only exception would be if there's fire or smoke in the car ... then, obviously, drivers should get the hell out.
Ward and Stewart were not in a NASCAR governed race the night of the incident, but Pemberton encouraged all motor sports leagues to follow NASCAR's lead and institute similar rules of their own.
- Kevin Ward Jr. Tony Stewart TMZ Sports NASCAR
Tony Stewart Crash Sheriff Has Seen Second Crash Video Still No Charges
8/11/2014 2:54 PM PT
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Ontario County Sheriff Philip C. Povero said he has now reviewed a second video from the fatal crash this weekend involving Tony Stewart ... but still does not see anything that indicates this was a criminal act.
Stewart has yet to be charged in the accident that claimed the life Saturday night of 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. Povero said the autopsy on Ward was completed and the cause of death was massive blunt trauma.
Povero said the Sheriff's Department is still investigating. He said they are analyzing the second camera angle to see if it shows anything different, but right now there are "no facts" so far that show there was any criminal behavior on Stewart's part.
See also
Tony Stewart Investigation -- No Video or Audio Evidence Gathered from Stewart's Team
Tony Stewart -- 'Emotional' Night Before Decision to Pull Out of Race
- Tony Stewart CELEBRITY JUSTICE ™ TMZ Sports NASCAR
'Purge: Anarchy' Star Tony Stewart Is Innocent! And Here's Why ...
8/11/2014 6:45 AM PT
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Don't blame Tony Stewart for the accident that killed Kevin Ward Jr. -- blame Ward ... at least that's the way the star of "Purge: Anarchy" sees it.
Frank Grillo broke down the horrific video of the Canandaigua Speedway tragedy with us Sunday night outside Madeo -- and he immediately stated, "Totally not Tony Stewart's fault!"
There's been a ton of speculation Stewart lost his temper, and cops are still investigating ... but Grillo explains why he thinks Tony did the best he could, under the circumstances.
Interesting theory.
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THE TRAGIC MOMENTSee also
Tony Stewart Investigation -- No Video or Audio Evidence Gathered from Stewart's Team
Tony Stewart -- Hits and Kills Another Driver During Dirt Track Race
- Kevin Ward Jr. Tony Stewart Frank Grillo Movies TMZ Sports NASCAR
Tony Stewart 'Emotional' Night Before Decision to Pull Out of Race
8/10/2014 9:25 AM PT
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10:50 AM PT -- Tony Stewart just released a statement, saying … "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."
He added, "My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and everyone affected by this tragedy."
Tony Stewart is just trying to "get through today" … according to the exec from his racing team who announced Stewart was bowing out of today's NASCAR Sprint Cup Race.
Greg Zipadelli, a V.P. at Stewart-Haas Racing, was visibly emotional as he held the news conference in Watkins Glens, NY … describing Stewart's state of mind hours after he hit and killed fellow driver Kevin Ward Jr. during a race at a nearby track.
Zipadelli talked about Stewart's decision not to race today -- the team initially said he would -- calling it, "the right thing to do."
Reporters were instructed not to ask about the investigation into Ward's death.
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See also
Tony Stewart Investigation -- No Video or Audio Evidence Gathered from Stewart's Team
Tony Stewart -- Hits and Kills Another Driver During Dirt Track Race
- Tony Stewart TMZ Sports NASCAR
Tony Stewart Hits and Kills Another Driver During Dirt Track Race
8/10/2014 1:41 AM PT
Play video content THE TRAGIC MOMENT 
7:45 AM PT -- Stewart has pulled out of today's Sprint Cup race. His team says Regan Smith will fill-in behind the wheel of Stewart's #14 car.
NASCAR superstar Tony Stewart drove his race car into another driver Saturday night … sending the man to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Kevin Ward Jr. had gotten out of his #13 car after an on-track accident involving Stewart during a sprint car race (dirt track) in Canandaigua, NY.
Nick Young NASCAR Became a Sport?
8/5/2014 12:45 AM PT
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Lakers star Nick Young just stepped on the same landmine that blew up in Donovan McNabb's face -- questioning whether NASCAR deserves to be called a sport.
Swaggy P was answering a simple enough question -- we asked him which sport is most affected by rain. Nick could have just said softball ... he was in the middle of a rain delay at a celeb game, anyway.
Instead he went and said this.
Someone get 5-time Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson on the horn ... we've got a new passenger for him.
Then again ... maybe you agree with Swaggy.
See also
NASCAR Driver -- Gunning to Race 'Blackfish' Car ... At Talladega
NASCAR Legend Michael Waltrip -- Pumped About Meeting Donna Summer ... Who Died 2 Years Ago
- Nick Young TMZ Sports NASCAR NBA
'Blackfish' Car RACE ON AT TALLADEGA Thanks to 'Simpsons' Creator
4/1/2014 11:30 AM PT
Former NASCAR driver Leilani Munter WILL be taking her "Blackfish" car to Talladega, TMZ has learned -- all thanks to an incredibly generous donation from "Simpsons" co-creator Sam Simon.
As we reported, Leilani had desperately been trying to raise money to pay for the $115,000 fee to enter the car for a big race at an ARCA event at Talladega Superspeedway on May 3rd. As of our last story, she had raised only $7,500.
But that all changed last week -- Leilani appeared on Simon's radio show to talk about her car and orca-related activism ... and Simon was so moved, Leilani tells us, he donated the balance of her entrance fee immediately after the show ... $107,500.
We're told Simon visited Taiji in February (the place where "The Cove" was shot) and has become an outspoken advocate for the humane treatment of orcas. Leilani tells us, she plans to win the race on behalf of orcas around the world suffering in captivity.
Sam -- who has terminal colon cancer -- has vowed to give away his fortune before he dies ... specifically toward animal rights and feeding the hungry.
As if giving the world "The Simpsons" wasn't enough.
See also
NASCAR Driver -- Gunning to Race 'Blackfish' Car ... At Talladega
Bindi Irwin -- Handler Whales on Photog For Asking About SeaWorld
- Sam Simon TV Money Movies TMZ Sports NASCAR Exclusive The Simpsons
NASCAR Legend Michael Waltrip Pumped About Meeting Donna Summer ... Who Died 2 Years Ago
3/23/2014 1:58 PM PT
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NASCAR legend Michael Waltrip had the thrill of a lifetime today -- HE MET DONNA SUMMER ... at least, he thinks he did ... despite the fact she died two years ago.
Waltrip was doing some pre-race work for FOX at the NASCAR Auto Club 400 race today when he THOUGHT he spotted the disco queen.
He even sang some, "Last Dance" on his way over to interview the icon ... who was really just a woman who kinda sorta looked like her.
Once he got there, it got more awkward when he attempted to talk to her -- "Hi Donna how are you? Enjoy the races today, I love your music. You’ve got a great body of work that you’ve put together!”
Moments later, he told team owner Richard Childress, “If you like Donna Summer, she’s right back there.”
Of course, Summer passed away in 2012 ... the woman at the track is just a NASCAR fan named Star Walker.
But Star says she was flattered by the mistake because she's a HUGE Summer fan -- and even went to Donna's induction to the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame!
Ya gotta watch the clip.
See also
NASCAR Driver -- Gunning to Race 'Blackfish' Car ... At Talladega
NASCAR Star Kyle Busch -- I Need 'Anger Management' and Charlie Sheen's Gonna Help Me
- RIP You Might Want to Rethink TV TMZ Sports NASCAR Music
NASCAR Driver Gunning to Race 'Blackfish' Car ... At Talladega
3/14/2014 1:40 PM PT
ARCA could go ORCA at the Talladega Superspeedway ... because one of the drivers is trying to raise $115k to get behind the wheel of a "Blackfish" car at a race in May ... TMZ Sports has learned.
We spoke to Leilani Munter -- one of the Top 10 female drivers in the world -- who tells us she was so moved by the documentary, she wants to do everything in her power to spread awareness about the plight of killer whales in captivity.
"I believe that it is a crime for these magnificent, intelligent, and socially complex creatures to be forced to live in tiny concrete tanks," Leilani says.
And her first order of business is wrapping a car in a custom "Blackfish" design to race at an ARCA event at Talladega Superspeedway on May 3rd. The only catch -- it's expensive.
Leilani tells TMZ Sports she needs to raise $115k for the cost of the car so she can enter the race ... which she's doing in part with the Oceanic Preservation Society, the people behind the documentary, "The Cove."
"The car represents more than just a race car," Leilani says ... "It represents awareness. I absolutely want to win."
See also
Bindi Irwin -- Handler Whales on Photog For Asking About SeaWorld
REO Speedwagon Drummer Bryan Hitt -- My Son Survived SeaWorld ... But We're Not Going Back
- Leilani Munter You Might Want to Rethink Exclusive Details Movies TMZ Sports NASCAR
Nationwide at Daytona Band WE DON'T SUCK Our Rock N' Roll National Anthem Was Awesome!
2/24/2014 4:04 PM PT
The band that performed an unusual rock and roll version of the National Anthem at the Nationwide at Daytona race is firing back at haters -- insisting their song was super patriotic ... and not a horrible disgrace.
TMZ Sports spoke with the lead singer of Madison Rising ... who tells us the band has been getting a serious backlash from some NASCAR fans who didn't like their guitar-heavy version ... with some people calling them "disgraceful" and "disrespectful."
But Dave Bray -- who also happens to be a Navy veteran tells us ... "We know NASCAR has some of the most patriotic fans in the country, so I'm obviously disappointed that we didn't make a better impression."
"But the vast majority have come out with goose bumps, tears in their eyes and our version downloaded onto their iPods to listen to every day."
Bray adds, "The mission of Madison Rising is to help restore a sense of pride back into this country, and we are absolutely thrilled it’s having that effect.”
- TMZ Sports NASCAR Exclusive Music
Dale Earnhardt Jr. LIQUOR BEFORE BEER You're In the Clear!
2/24/2014 2:04 PM PT
Dale Earnhardt Jr. tells TMZ Sports ... he celebrated his big Daytona 500 victory by boozin' with his team 'til around 4AM -- so why isn't he a hungover mess this morning??? Simple. He followed the cardinal drinking rule.
You know how it goes ...
"Beer before liquor, never been sicker.
... Liquor before beer, you're in the clear."
Dale Jr. was out in NYC yesterday and told us he abides by the code -- usually startin' with some Jim Beam before switchin' to suds.
*Warning -- cardinal drinking rule does not always work. Booze with caution*
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Humor TMZ Sports Party All The Time NASCAR Drugs & Alcohol Exclusive
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