Tony Stewart’s team says it’s ‘business as usual’ after Kevin Ward incident

Jul 25, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart stands in his garage during practice for the Crown Royal Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 25, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart stands in his garage during practice for the Crown Royal Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tony Stewart’s team confirms the NASCAR driver will race Sunday at Watkins Glen just hours after running over and killing racer Kevin Ward in a horrifying incident at a sprint car event.

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“We’re business as usual today,” said Greg Zipadelli, Stewart-Haas Racing competition director, to USA Today Sports (phrasing possibly unfortunate by Mr. Zipadelli).

Stewart was reportedly shaken after the incident at the dirt track event where he struck and killed fellow racer Ward after Ward, who had just been spun out by Stewart, exited his car and walked across the track to confront the notoriously hot-tempered Stewart.

Police continue to investigate the matter and Stewart has reportedly been cooperative.

NASCAR spokesman Terry Tharp had this to say about the tragic events with Ward:

"“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends and competitors and everyone involved at that complex up there. While it was a non-NASCAR-sanctioned event, everyone in the motor sports community has feelings for these types of situations. We’ve been through them before.”"

NASCAR: We feel really bad for Kevin Ward and we would also like to remind you it was not our event so please don’t get on us about safety issues, thanks a lot.

Stewart’s team: Some guy died but s–t happens I guess. We gots to get paid.

A video clip of the Ward incident shows Stewart’s car striking and dragging the driver several feet. Ward was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

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