tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post6925947761355233449..comments2024-03-08T11:07:25.905-05:00Comments on The Godfather's Blog: COMMENTARY: In Defense Of Tony StewartDave Moodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14273464897477668872noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-3392358691818482662014-08-16T21:45:58.232-04:002014-08-16T21:45:58.232-04:00thanks for printing my highly offensive opinion, m...thanks for printing my highly offensive opinion, mr godfather. you're not a joke.i'm sorry. now, danica is a joke but that's a different subject.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-49711420075034302972014-08-16T00:38:27.577-04:002014-08-16T00:38:27.577-04:00Let's see now. Tony was driving under the yel...Let's see now. Tony was driving under the yellow flag at 30 mph and didn't see the victim? Is that right? He revs his engine and spins his wheels, the back end hops out. Sounds like manslaughter to me. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-63193912112927181632014-08-15T11:51:07.510-04:002014-08-15T11:51:07.510-04:00I've read each and every comment. I'm puzz...I've read each and every comment. I'm puzzled that no one has remembered that in our legal system one is assumed to be innocent until proven guilty (Ellen, JJ's grlfrnd)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-39899702425434152562014-08-15T00:43:05.793-04:002014-08-15T00:43:05.793-04:00Godfather. You're a joke. The yellow was out, ...Godfather. You're a joke. The yellow was out, they were going 30 MPH and Stewie ran him over. That is manslaughter which should eventually be the issue in further legal proceedings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-11789040697312393612014-08-13T16:46:29.298-04:002014-08-13T16:46:29.298-04:00Paying attention to this coward from ESPN only inc...Paying attention to this coward from ESPN only increases his ratings. It's obvious ESPN sanctions his behavior, so as fans we must ignore it and maybe protest ESPN through signs or turning our backs on the first lap to express our displeasure with ESPN.<br /><br /><br />Shame on themAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11838423862589241205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-720251114934246092014-08-13T15:39:17.246-04:002014-08-13T15:39:17.246-04:00Another Great Job Godfather !!!!! So glad you wro...Another Great Job Godfather !!!!! So glad you wrote this articleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-14547350034675222822014-08-13T15:06:53.463-04:002014-08-13T15:06:53.463-04:00Obviously Pete has never been to a track of any so...Obviously Pete has never been to a track of any sort and believe because your have a passion for a sport that you are going to defend that sport a 100%. This was a racing accident pure and simple. It is sad that Mr. Ward lost his life that night because Mr. Ward made a very poor decision to get out of his car under a yellow flag in a Black Fire Suit Black Helmet and on a very slick surface with cars going at a caution speed (30 to 50mph). Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-7866630254580426712014-08-13T13:39:16.969-04:002014-08-13T13:39:16.969-04:00Another well thought out and very realistic articl...Another well thought out and very realistic article Dave! I do not think of Mr. Ward as the victim in this tragic accident. Mr Ward's temper clouded any rationale reaction to handling the contact incident between himself and another competitor. He placed himself in harm's way, not considering the danger that he posed to himself or to the other racers. To me, Tony is the inncoent victim in this tragic accident {no I am not a Tony fan; I do have a favorite driver that I cheer for}. Had Mr. Ward been able to control his emotions, he would not have stepped out onto the racing surface. I believe that through the years Mr. Ward's ego may have been fueled by arrogant beliefs of how great he was. In his mind no professional was going to get the best of him. In a statement issued by Mr. Ward's father, he said that we have lost a very talented race car driver. These words from Mr Ward Sr. have shocked me! Why would he not have said that he lost a great son??????? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-91110566454747389892014-08-13T12:47:33.500-04:002014-08-13T12:47:33.500-04:00Tony Stewart may have done nothing wrong in this c...Tony Stewart may have done nothing wrong in this case. We'll have to wait for the findings of the investigation.<br />However, food for thought....<br />When Tony ran Matt Kenseth into the infield at Daytona or Talladega (can't remember which) did he want to cause Kenseth any physical harm? Could he have?<br />When Carl Edwards sent Brad Kesolowski into the catch fence at Atlanta did he want to cause any harm to Kesolowski? Could he have?<br />When Jeff Gordon wrecked Clint Bowyer at Phoenix did he want to cause any harm to Bowyer? Could he have?<br />When Dale Jarrett wrecked Ryan Newman at Bristol back in 2003 or 2004 (can't remember which) did he want to cause any harm to Newman? Could he have?<br /><br />When that average Joe that lives next door got into his car last night after drinking 6 beers did he want to cause anyone any harm? Could he have?<br /><br />Bottom line is, whether you intend to cause harm to someone or not, when you step over any line, $%it happens. And when it does, you pay a price regardless of what your intent was. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-76364888714909343792014-08-13T12:29:03.058-04:002014-08-13T12:29:03.058-04:00Thank you for finally bringing some intelligence t...Thank you for finally bringing some intelligence to an extremely difficult Situation. The lynch mob mentality has overtaken the media. Whatever happened to "innocent until proven guilty". If you believe in America you believe that the justice system will find the truth. It is a tragedy to everyone involved. Let's not crucify a man for something that no one knows the truth about. I am not a Tony Stewart fan but I do not believe for one minute that any racer would intentionally try to kill another driver. Give it a rest. Mr. Ward acted in a very stupid manner and unfortunately the consequences were severe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-87213148944496980332014-08-13T12:12:14.801-04:002014-08-13T12:12:14.801-04:00In fairness to Tony Stewart and with all due respe...In fairness to Tony Stewart and with all due respect and condolences to the Ward family in face of their tragic loss, Kevin Ward was clearly a "wreckless" party to the accident by approaching moving race vehicles with chassis set-ups not conducive to evasive maneuvers on a slick surface even at caution lap speeds approaching 50 mph. In fact the sprint car immediately proceeding Stewart's came very close to hitting Ward. From Stewart's standpoint, can you reasonably expect him to anticipate a pedestrian driver (obscured by the lighting conditions and the large winged car immediately ahead of him) to approach his car from the middle of the track. Stewart may have been angry but for observers to infer negative motives and denigrate his reaction to the sudden situation as it occurred on track is unfair based on video evidence I have seen. JJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-36970026646540260872014-08-13T12:00:48.575-04:002014-08-13T12:00:48.575-04:00Wow. The scale of this article is tipped heavily i...Wow. The scale of this article is tipped heavily in favor of Tony Stewart. I can't even take it seriously.<br /><br />In your opinion, do charitable contributions mean you can do no wrong? Do they absolve you of your sins? Or, do you feel Stewart is above making mistakes?<br /><br />I wouldn't jump as far in the other direction and say Stewart is a murderer, but a lapse in judgement, or a miscalculation, can result in tragedy. <br /><br />This is a rare instance when I am leaping from the bus your driving. Normally, you are the voice of reason, driving with eyes wide open, and pointing out to people other considerations, before they make a judgement. Seems this trip, you are driving with your eyes shut tight, afraid of what lies ahead. Tedstrykerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03145139091575702367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-75651917549964145772014-08-13T11:52:56.542-04:002014-08-13T11:52:56.542-04:00These anonymous people just get to me .You want pe...These anonymous people just get to me .You want people to know what you think. but you are scared to let them know who you are. If you're scared to own up to your scribble,then don't scribble at all.Bobby Boltonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-41988754021677584432014-08-13T11:47:11.194-04:002014-08-13T11:47:11.194-04:00If you can't put your name with your opinion w...<br />If you can't put your name with your opinion why post it. It's easy to stand behind cover an lob handgernades at your foe.Man up an talk face to face.I don't know where to sign my name but it's going on here if I can find it.Bobby Boltonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-75697594769759242162014-08-13T10:53:35.928-04:002014-08-13T10:53:35.928-04:00I have been thinking that ever since I saw the vid...I have been thinking that ever since I saw the video! That camera was a long way from the accident. Could have been any one of the 15-20 cars on the track that revved it's engine that you hear on the video. And I keep reading that the car spun to the right. I watched the video and the car does not fishtail to the right from that camera angle. If anything it appears to move left which is consistent with another driver account who was behind Stewart that says it appeared Tony tried to avoid Ward. And the other Driver was a friend of Ward's.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-58128864782128912122014-08-13T10:34:41.850-04:002014-08-13T10:34:41.850-04:00AMEN!!! Godfather, Please keep being the voice of...AMEN!!! Godfather, Please keep being the voice of reason.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17473570061188583038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-70934632005688550092014-08-13T09:50:25.359-04:002014-08-13T09:50:25.359-04:00First I don't think Stewart intended to maim o...First I don't think Stewart intended to maim or kill Kevin Ward. But anybody who has driven a race car knows that at times your emotions take control. Its generally called the "red mist" and it happens to everybody.<br /> Stewart's was the 7 th car who reached the young man standing on the track. And the only one which appeared to move up the track rather than down. While it may appear that Stewart intended to throw a little dirt on a brash driver we will never know.<br /> Only Stewart knows and he will likely carry that to his grave. Russhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17006862900142157825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-74511926014982394062014-08-13T09:34:48.545-04:002014-08-13T09:34:48.545-04:00Total BS...how long have you been in racing? No d...Total BS...how long have you been in racing? No damned way those two cars ever touched. Sorry...if you can't see that...there is no reason to continue any kind of conversation. When you are ready to talk truths...come see me. A blind man can see that there was no contact between the two. Get yourselves some glasses. Wow!Fred Voorheesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-34931751638497540432014-08-13T09:28:18.682-04:002014-08-13T09:28:18.682-04:00The sad part is, this is only a story because it i...The sad part is, this is only a story because it involved someone "famous", Tony Stewart. If it had been any other driver on the track,and it easily could have been, it would have been treated as a non story. The only coverage would have been local and all those piling on with opinions wouldn't cared.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-22429088985038902712014-08-13T09:02:53.052-04:002014-08-13T09:02:53.052-04:00"Tony was intimidating a fellow driver and ha..."Tony was intimidating a fellow driver and had no intention of hurting anyone."<br /><br />If the investigation results in the above conclusion, Stewart will be charged with 2nd degree Manslaughter - Involuntary Manslaughter. Such a charge requires only that Stewart was negligent - intent is not necessary. If it is concluded Stewart did turn toward Ward in an effort to intimidate him, such a charge is justified. Then, if the charge is handed down, of course Stewart's history of acting impulsively in reaction to his anger, both on and off the tract, will be presented to a jury as evidence he tried to intimidate Ward. <br /><br />I don't know if Stewart tried to intimidate Ward. That's for the investigation to decide. But it is too early to write a defense for him until the investigation is complete. Mark Phelpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11273957271913381505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-17002234527531451262014-08-13T08:52:38.618-04:002014-08-13T08:52:38.618-04:00I have read every body commet, One Ward should hav...I have read every body commet, One Ward should have stayed in car , waited for proper people to get to him. as far as Tony pushing in the wall, they both did it. That is racing. Yes Tony is hot headed, so was Ward,what I saw with the vedio, after the first car passed him ward came down in front of Tony, He wanted to make sure that Tony would see him, but is did not work out that. If you step out in front a car , you asde to be hit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-26346787853467184422014-08-13T07:13:13.411-04:002014-08-13T07:13:13.411-04:00You left out the "do as I say not as I do&quo...You left out the "do as I say not as I do" aspect of his personality.<br /><br />I find this article a bit lacking in objectivity as well. It comes off a bit too protective of Tony.<br /><br />Maybe you do know Tony well enough to know what he's thinking or what he's capable of. I know that people that like Jeremy Mayfield vehemently defended him regardless of the mounting evidence to the contrary.<br /><br />While your opinion is as valid as anyone else's, maybe you are too close to Tony to be objective.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-9524121792785619222014-08-13T05:14:49.651-04:002014-08-13T05:14:49.651-04:00Very well said Dave. I am not a Stewart fan, but I...Very well said Dave. I am not a Stewart fan, but I pray that Tony does compete at Michigan this coming Sunday. The sooner her gets back in the Car the better. I fear that if he waits too long he may not return to racing.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-44502326467773251502014-08-13T03:01:38.851-04:002014-08-13T03:01:38.851-04:00When the dust settles and it will, more than likel...When the dust settles and it will, more than likely Stewart will continue to be the toast of Nascar and the media despite the abuse he has heaped over them for years will continue. I find it offensive for the weak "reporters" who's paycheck always depended on making Tony "happy" and not to make him upset. No doubt, his ever present man servant Zippy will be keeping track of all questionable reporting and have these "media" types handled accordingly. Tony will continue to be kept happy, bet on it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24138427.post-4764002214225224832014-08-13T01:56:17.651-04:002014-08-13T01:56:17.651-04:00I hope you are never in a situation like this one ...I hope you are never in a situation like this one behind the wheel of a sprint car, let alone another race car, vehicle etc. ... Under yellow means caution.. not stop.... I feel for his family, but he put himself in harms way.. broke the biggest safety rule out there... he left his car and not only left it but continued into on coming traffic.. You can clearly see him making advances down the track.. He was lucky that he wasn't hit by multiply cars.. The view of the videos that are available only give one glimpse into what was actually happening under that caution.. You can only see what is happening at that point.. What you see as a fan in the stands is totally different to any driver on the track.. They have very limited view.. They don't have the wide view as the spectator does... Their only true view is what they are getting over their receiver along with what is right in front of them.. If the track officials were not giving them the heads up that a person was on the track and that they needed to go way low they had no clue that someone was out there and advancing... he was almost hit by the car immediately in front and then you can clearly see that 14 did what he could to avoid contact as well (and before the argument is thrown back out there that he gassed it... Drive a Sprint... Know how they run/steer etc, and then come back with your argument!) ... It was dark, the kid was wearing black and advancing down a track that was still running cars under caution.. Again.. I feel horrible for his family.. but ultimately this isn't a one was right and one was wrong situation.. It was an unfortunate racing incident that will now taint the sport forever because of people that can't seem to see all sides...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com