he automobile racing world was relieved when word came last week that Tony Stewart was cleared of any criminal charges by an Ontario County, New York grand jury in the death of 20-year-old driver Kevin Ward Jr. during a race last month. After viewing film footage of the tragic incident and listening to the testimony of over two dozen witnesses, the jury issued a “no bill” that meant no criminal charges will be brought against Stewart. It also came to light that there was enough marijuana in the system of Kevin Ward Jr. to impair his driving, according to the coroner’s report.
This would go a long way in explaining Ward’s erratic behavior in the time between his hitting the retaining wall and his charging Stewart’s car as it came by. If Ward was smoking weed he had no business being in a race car in the first place. He was a serious risk to the safety of the other drivers. Impaired race driving is, unfortunately, not a new phenomenon. There have been a sad number of situations where it was found that a race driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol during a race. The major race tracks and high profile events have installed safeguards to prevent this from happening, but the minor tracks around the country such as the dirt track at Canandaigua where the incident occurred apparently don’t have these safeguards. The family of Kevin Ward Jr. is outraged at the grand jury’s decision. His father, Kevin Sr. is still claiming that Stewart hit his son on purpose, and his aunt wrote a letter to a major news publication in which she has demanded “justice:” for her nephew. She also claims not to believe the report about the marijuana in her nephew’s system because he showed no signs of it while he was with his family before the race started, or that even if he did do the drug it shouldn’t be an issue in judging the incident. Sorry, but how is that again.? Not an issue? I don’t think so. IT IS THE ISSUE!
It would seem that the Ward family is trying to work up a case for a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Tony Stewart. This could be a very good thing because it could just throw some light on the very dangerous problem of impaired race driving, which would not be to the Ward family’s advantage. If the Ward family was aware of Kevin’s weed habit and let him climb into his race care anyway, then they have some serious explaining to do. I understand their grief, and even their desire for some kind of legal punishment for Stewart, but they could be sticking themselves into some very hot water.
Michael Schumacher is Rehabilitating at Home
Michael Schumacher, the retired Formula One world racing champion, who was critically injured in a skiing accident last December is now at his home rehabilitating in a special room constructed especially for that purpose. Schumacher fell and suffered a devastating brain injury nine months ago while on a skiing holiday with his family. Schumacher was kept in a medically induced coma for six months and endured a brain operation before spending three months in a rehab hospital in Switzerland. Schumacher has apparently recovered from the coma, but still has a long way to go in his recovery. He can’t speak or move except to flutter only his eyelids, but it is thought that being at home in familiar surroundings with his family will boost his morale. Here’s hoping that his recovery is a total success.
Colts Back on Track?
After losing their first two games of the season, the Colts came storming back with two big victories over AFC South Division rivals Jacksonville and Tennessee. The offense came alive and Andrew Luck threw a total of 8 touchdown passes in both games and now has 13 for the season which leads the league. His 1,305 yards passing also leads the league. He is the NFL’s number one ranked passer. The offensive line has begun to jell, and Ahmed Bradshaw is showing some life at running back. He has become a favorite red zone target of Luck’s and leads the Horseshoe with 4 touchdown receptions. Both the Jaguars and the Titans are in the lower half of the league’s standings, however. A truer test for the Colts may come this Sunday when they play the Baltimore Ravens.
The Colts will be without the services of Free Safety LaRon Landry for the next four games. Landry drew a four game suspension from the NFL when traces of a performance enhancing drug were found in his bloodstream. You will recall that pass rushing linebacker Robert Mathis was hit with a four game suspension for the same reason. He injured himself during a home workout routine while on suspension and ended his season for good. The Colts defense has enough problems without losing its best players.
Why hasn’t second year running back Daniel Herron seen more time in the backfield this season? The Ohio State grad was picked up as a free agent last season and was the team’s leading preseason rusher. He certainly looked more impressive against the Titans than “you know who,” with 8 carries for 25 yards. Hopefully we’ll see more of him as the season progresses.
Tight end Jack Doyle is making himself handy as a receiver, blocker, and special teams player for the Big Blue in 2014. Doyle is a hometown kid who attended and played for the Cathedral Irish. He was a member of the 2006 State Champion team. He was also a member of Cathedral’s 2008 state champion rugby team. He made Honorable Mention as an All Stater his senior year. He attended college at Western Kentucky in Bowling Green and was an All Sun Belt Conference tight end his senior season. Jack is 6’ 5’ and weighs 256 lbs. He has 6 receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown so far this season. Best of luck Jack, you make the hometown folks proud.
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