Sprint car driver Kevin Ward, Jr., was killed in an incident at Canandaigua Motorsports Park involving former NASCAR champion Tony Stewart last night. The wider sports world is still in shock, but the world of NASCAR is reeling from not only a death, but the actions of its own.
Law enforcement and other investigators are still meting out the details of exactly what happened at the track, so it is a bit premature to apportion blame in what was clearly not a cut-and-dry accident. But the racing community is torn apart, with many, including Casey Mears and JJ Yelley simply re-tweeting the words of NASCAR chaplain Kenny Crosswhite:
Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who has clearly faced an unexpected and personal loss in his life:
Brad Keselowski is looking for answers, like most of us:
Many are just expressing their condolences:
Many, including Ryan Truex and Keselowski, are re-tweeting pleas for everyone to hear exactly what happened before accusations are thrown. Others are simply staying silent.
We'll update you if we hear more.
UPDATE: And the account of NASCAR itself just couldn't help but sum up the organization in one tweet:
Um.
Photo credit: kevinwardjr.com