Tony Stewart: 'There aren't words to describe the sadness I feel'

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NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart smiles during qualifying at Phoenix International Raceway on March 13, 2015. (Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)

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Tony Stewart sits in his car during a NASCAR Sprint Cup practice session at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana in March 2013. (Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images)

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NASCAR driver Tony Stewart climbs into his car during a practice session at Pocono Raceway on Aug. 1. Stewart hasn’t raced since being involved in a fatal accident during a dirt track race in New York on Aug. 9. (Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)

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Tony Stewart walks through the garage area at Kentucky Speedway during a NASCAR Sprint Cup practice session on June 27. (Sean Gardner / Getty Images)

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Greg Zipadelli, Stewart-Haas Racing vice president of competition, announces during a news conference Aug. 10 that Tony Stewart will not race at Watkins Glen after being involved in an accident that killed dirt track racer Kevin Ward Jr. in New York the day before. (Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)

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Flowers rest next to the front entrance of Canandaigua Motorsports Park on Aug. 10, the day after sprint car racer Kevin Ward Jr. died at the track after he was struck by a car driven by three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart. (Jared Wickerham / Getty Images)

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Tony Stewart smiles while standing in the garage during a NASCAR Sprint Cup at Watkins Glen International on Aug. 8, 2014. Stewart has won three NASCAR titles since joining the racing series full-time in 1999. (Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)

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Tony Stewart looks on after capturing pole position for the 1996 Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Tom Russo / Associated Press)

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Tony Stewart walks down pit road during a practice session for the 1998 Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

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Tony Stewart climbs out his car during qualifying for the 2000 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

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NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, right, speaks with team owner Joe Gibbs while in the garage at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 11, 2000. (Peter Cosgrove / Associated Press)

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Tony Stewart in his car during a practice session at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October 2002. (Rusty Burroughs / Associated Press)

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Tony Stewart walks through the garage area at New Hampshire International Speedway on Sept. 13, 2002. (Sandy Macys / Associated Press)

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Tony Stewart puts on his helmet while sitting in his car prior to a NASCAR Nextel Cup practice session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 10, 2007. (Rusty Jarrett / Getty Images for NASCAR)

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Tony Stewart jokes with his crew in pit lane before a NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Feb. 25, 2007. (Mark Avery / Associated Press)

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Tony Stewart kisses the yard of bricks on the start/finish line after winning the 2005 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Tom Strattman / Associated Press)

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Tony Stewart celebrates after winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway in October 2009. (Orlin Wagner / Associated Press)

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Tony Stewart celebrates after winning a rain-shortened NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on March 25, 2012. (Nigel Kinrade / Associated Press)

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Danica Patrick, left, and Tony Stewart ride down pit road before the start of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway in June. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

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Tony Stewart sits in his car before a race at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7. Stewart did not run in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway. (Ralph Lauer / Associated Press)

By John CherwaSpecial Contributor

Aug. 10, 2014 8:36 AM PT

Tony Stewart decided not to drive in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday at Watkins Glen, N.Y., following the death of Kevin Ward Jr. and issued a statement that in part said, “There aren’t words to describe the sadness I feel about the accident.”

Ward was apparently struck by Stewart’s sprint car Saturday night at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park. Ward was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Stewart released the following statement Sunday about the incident:

“There aren’t words to describe the sadness I feel about the accident that took the life of Kevin Ward Jr. It’s a very emotional time for all involved, and it is the reason I’ve decided not to participate in today’s race at WGI. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and everyone affected by this tragedy.”

During a news conference Sunday, Ontario County Sheriff Philip C. Povero said there is no evidence of “criminal intent” on Stewart’s part in the crash. He said Stewart has been cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

“He’s been interviewed and....has made himself available again if it’s necessary,” Povero said.

Povero emphasized that video footage of the accident “is very important and crucial to our investigation” and that his department is looking for deeper analysis of the incident from people who are familiar with sprint-car racing. He said Stewart was driving 35-40 mph at the time of the incident.

“There are no foregone conclusions.… We are looking for any information, any relevant evidence.”

Earlier in the day, Greg Zipadelli, competition director of Stewart-Haas Racing, appeared shaken as he addressed the media at Watkins Glen to tell reporters that Stewart would not race Sunday. Zipadelli was the person who issued an earlier “business as usual” statement.

“It’s an unbelievable tragedy,” Zipadelli said. “Our hearts go out to Kevin and his family. This is a very tough, very emotional time for everybody, his family, our family at Stewart Haas, Tony Stewart. With that being said we felt as a group that Tony will not drive today.” Stewart will be replaced in the car by Regan Smith in the Sprint Cup race.

“Obviously we talked last night and gave Tony some time to sleep on it,” Zipadelli said. “I met with him this morning and he feels strongly this is the right thing to do. We at SHR [Stewart-Haas racing] support it and agree with it. It’s a difficult time for both parties.” Zipadelli spoke of his closeness to Stewart.

“He’s more than a boss,” Zipadelli said. “It’s emotional for him and as a group we support him and feel like he’s doing the right thing. I support Tony Stewart, I think I’ve shown that over the last 18 years.”

NASCAR released a statement regarding Stewart’s decision, saying, “We support Tony Stewart’s decision to miss today’s race.”