In an interview given to Syracuse.com, Kevin Ward Sr. spoke publicly for the first time about the death of his son, Kevin Ward Jr.
The angry father blamed Stewart for striking and killing his son during a dirt race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park on Saturday night.
Ward Jr. and Stewart had contact during the race, forcing Ward into a retirement.
Ward got out of his car, ran onto the track and angrily gestured at Stewart. Seconds later, Stewart's right rear tire struck Ward and threw him an estimated 20-30 feet, fatally injuring him.
"I think the reason he (Ward Jr.) probably got out of that car is who put him into the wall. He was definitely put into the wall," Ward Sr. told Syracuse.com.
"Tony Stewart was the best damn driver by far on the track that night. Why he had to go up as high as he did and hog my son, there's no reason for it."
"Apparently, Tony Stewart was the only one driving out there who didn't see him," Ward Sr. told the New York state website, noting that several other drivers on track avoided his son.
"The one person that knows what happened that night is possibly facing 10 years in prison. Is he going to say what he done?"
As for the social media reaction, Ward Sr. told Syracuse.com, "A situation happened and everybody has their own opinions," Ward Sr. said. "Some are way off, some without a clue and some are very hurtful. A 20-year-old talented driver was killed and that's what we need to focus on. … We've had a lot of messages sent. We are so thankful. If everybody could just pray for us, we'll get through it."
The angry father blamed Stewart for striking and killing his son during a dirt race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park on Saturday night.
Ward Jr. and Stewart had contact during the race, forcing Ward into a retirement.
Ward got out of his car, ran onto the track and angrily gestured at Stewart. Seconds later, Stewart's right rear tire struck Ward and threw him an estimated 20-30 feet, fatally injuring him.
"I think the reason he (Ward Jr.) probably got out of that car is who put him into the wall. He was definitely put into the wall," Ward Sr. told Syracuse.com.
"Tony Stewart was the best damn driver by far on the track that night. Why he had to go up as high as he did and hog my son, there's no reason for it."
"Apparently, Tony Stewart was the only one driving out there who didn't see him," Ward Sr. told the New York state website, noting that several other drivers on track avoided his son.
"The one person that knows what happened that night is possibly facing 10 years in prison. Is he going to say what he done?"
As for the social media reaction, Ward Sr. told Syracuse.com, "A situation happened and everybody has their own opinions," Ward Sr. said. "Some are way off, some without a clue and some are very hurtful. A 20-year-old talented driver was killed and that's what we need to focus on. … We've had a lot of messages sent. We are so thankful. If everybody could just pray for us, we'll get through it."