Tony Stewart investigation continues, new video of crash surfaces
Ontario County (N.Y.) Sheriff Philip Povero told reporters Monday that there are still no facts that would show probable cause for criminal charges but the investigation continues into the Saturday night accident at the Canandaigua Motorsports Park half-mile dirt track.
"At this time, there are no facts that exist that support any criminal behavior or conduct or any probable cause of a criminal act in this investigation," Povero said. "This is an open investigation. What I just said is not indicative that the investigation is over or conclusions have been made."
Povero, whose press conference was streamed by several news outlets, did not release many specifics on the investigation, including what Stewart said he saw prior to hitting Ward, who climbed from his wrecked car, walked out onto the track and approached Stewart's car under caution.
An autopsy determined that Ward died of massive blunt trauma. Povero said no other information on the autopsy will be released, including any toxicology information gathered during the investigation.
Povero said his investigators remain in contact with Stewart's camp and he has been told that the three-time Cup champion would be available if they need to speak to him again. The investigators are continuing to conduct interviews with those who raced and were at the track that night.
They also are working to reconstruct the accident.
Povero again asked for the public's help if they have video of the crash. He said he had no knowledge of any cameras that were on Stewart's car. The new video obtained Monday shows a different angle of the crash than what investigators had.
"We are looking also for persons outside that are familiar with racing, that are familiar with dirt racing that can help us review and analyze these tapes to hopefully clearly understand the crash," Povero said.
JJ Yeley, a NASCAR driver who has driven sprint cars for Stewart, told the Sporting News that the fact you can hear Stewart hit the gas in his car prior to hitting Ward should be taken into the context of how sprint cars operate.
"They have a solid rear axle, they don't turn on a dime," Yeley said. "You usually turn those cars with the gas. They don't just turn as soon as you turn the wheel. It does take the throttle to do that."
Yeley said that if Stewart would have turned the wheel sharply without getting on the throttle, the car would have continued in the path it was going or would have spun. He compared it to riding a jetski, where throttle is needed when making a turn.
"The right side wing panel comes down sometimes below your eye level so you will have a blind spot. There's a part there where you wouldn't see someone if they jumped out and got that close to the car," Yeley said.
Povero said they would like to get the investigation done "expeditiously."
"We have never really done anything like this. To put a timeline on it is really something we are reluctant to do," Povero said. "Due to the fact there may be information out there that is relevant and we want to make sure that we have ample opportunity to collect any data that is there to support the investigation." sportingnews.com