In the video, you can clearly hear someone gunning their engine just as Ward was hit. Considering that there would have been a delay of about half to three-quarters of a second for the sound to reach the camera, it does appear to me that Stewart gunned his engine just before the hit.
Stewart actually did something like this to me about 12 years ago at Sears Point Raceway (now Infineon Raceway). I was walking across a temporary road in the paddock area when Stewart was coming off the track in Friday practice. I didn’t see him coming, but was loudly “advised” of his presence by a roar of his engine. (And you better believe that I got out of the way quickly after hearing that!)
This appears to be a habit for him. But you can’t see anything in the video to suggest that his car jerked sideways towards Ward as a result.
However - the fact that he gunned his engine (if that proves to be the case) will look very bad for him, and could get him sent to jail.
Read the end of the article at #164. Not the first time Stewart has tapped someone and caused problems.
Plus he is an uber pro at a amateur race. He more then anyone else should know to be uber cautious when that flag comes out. There is no telling what may be in the road ahead.
I want to know if he had a spotter. If so TS is screwed
You're certain it was him and not one of the other dozen sprint cars surrounding the camera?