In Stewart's brief statement in his return at Atlanta Motor Speedway in late August, he mentioned Ward's parents and three sisters by name, saying he wanted them "to know that every day I'm thinking about them and praying for them." Johnson and Earnhardt, two of NASCAR's biggest stars, both made mention of thinking of Ward and his family when they answered questions Friday. But the support from the NASCAR community, the sprint car community, the racing community in general, has just been overwhelming." And not just for Stewart, but Ward's family, as well. That's what's so different about what we do versus other sports. "You don't have to know 'em for him to be a part of your family. "Racers have always taken care of racers," Stewart told AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer in his first interview since the crash. For Stewart, the driver who inspired the #StandWithSmoke movement on Twitter, the support has been appreciated, if not totally unexpected, from a racing community that always cares for its own. Ward's family has said "the matter is not at rest," and Stewart may still face a civil lawsuit. "I'm sure there's some type of relief that it's kind of done," six-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson said. Stewart seemed in good spirits at Dover International Speedway in his first race weekend since a grand jury decided he would not be charged in Ward's death. "There is sort of a sickness or something in the pit of your stomach for what Tony is going through," Dale Earnhardt Jr. They've all stuck up for Smoke - and empathized with him in the bleakest moments following the fatal sprint car crash that killed Kevin Ward Jr. So have the fans who roar for him during driver introductions and crowd his car, snapping pictures and shouting for autographs. Stewart's loyal friends have stood by his side in his toughest time. Kenny Wallace, a close friend and TV analyst, put his hand on Stewart's right shoulder as they spoke and gave him a big hug when they finished. His firesuit stripped down to his waist, a freshly shaven Stewart smiled and laughed as the trio caught up shortly after the first Sprint Cup practice on Friday. Two longtime NASCAR participants stopped Stewart not far from his car for a lengthy chat in the Dover garage. Tony Stewart's walk back to his motorhome was halted by a pair of old friends. Hamlin, though, bolstered his bid to stay alive with a third-place qualifying run.ĭOVER, Del. The bottom four are dumped from the hunt: Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch and Aric Almirola are at risk of getting cut Sunday. Harvick's seventh pole of the season gives him one more than he had combined in his career entering this season.Īnd it makes him one of the drivers to beat in a race where championship hopes are on the line. Led by Harvick, Chase drivers took the top four spots and six of 10. Harvick turned a lap at 162.933 mph to win the pole Friday at Dover International Speedway, leading the field for the third Chase race. Win and advance - and they'll all have to zip by Kevin Harvick to have a chance at Victory Lane. NASCAR's revamped Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format is set for its first elimination race, when four of 16 drivers will be out of the title picture by Sunday night.
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