Family of Kevin Ward Jr. files wrongful death lawsuit against Tony Stewart

Tony Stewart already had a grin under his budding beard when the pickup truck hauling the three-time Sprint Cup champ and fellow driver Martin Truex Jr. eased to a stop on pit road at Watkins Glen global on Sunday afternoon.

Ward jumped from his auto in an apparent attempt to confront Stewart during the ensuing caution period.

“I don’t think I will ever be the same from what happened the last two years”, said Stewart, referencing a pair of life-altering incidents.

“Stewart acted with disregard for Ward’s life and safety by driving his vehicle in a manner that would terrorise Ward and thereafter strike, severely injure and kill Ward”, stated the lawsuit.

The parents of racing driver Kevin Ward Jr have launched a wrongful death lawsuit after their son was tragically killed on the track.

The Ward family attorney Mark Lanier said, “A jury needs to see the video, learn of Tony Stewart’s past, and give the verdict that delivers justice”. Toxicology tests at the time of the dismissal found Mr. Ward had marijuana in his system and that the “levels impaired judgment”.

Stewart was not criminally charged for Ward’s death.

Stewart said at TMS Wednesday he would return to Watkins Glen – where his five victories is a Cup record – a different man than the one who last competed there in the summer of 2012.

“[The crowd reception] was really good all the way around”, said Stewart, who missed the 2013 race at Watkins Glen because of a broken leg suffered in a sprint-car accident and then the 2014 race because of the tragedy.

Last September, a grand jury decided to not charge Stewart for Ward’s death.

A release from the lawfirm states that neither the Ward family nor their attorneys plan on issuing further comment.

Kevin and Pamela Ward filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Friday, claiming that Stewart drove recklessly and their son’s death could have been avoided.

“Hey, Tony! It’s me again!” came a female voice from the grandstand behind pit wall, eliciting a hearty laugh from Stewart and all around.

“It was just as quickly as a relief in my mind, in my heart, at the same time, it went back to the fact that we lost Kevin”, said Stewart.

“Rick” Meadow of The Lanier Law Firm are also representing the Wards, as is Evan Janush of New York.

The incident occurred following contact between Ward and Stewart that disabled Ward’s vehicle.

Tony Stewart only wishes his worst problem was improving on what might prove to be his worst season on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

“I know I believe in myself and that’s what I have always loved about road course racing, is that the driver can make a difference”, Allmendinger said.