NASCAR fans in Canandaigua, NY, were left horrified when a driver walked on to the track and got run over by another car on Sunday. 

Kevin Ward, Jr, 20, spun out and  crashed after colliding with three-time NASCAR champion Tony Steward at the Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International dirt-track race held at the Canadaigua Motorsport Park. Unhurt from the incident, Ward got out of his vehicle and onto the track with the race on-going to confront Stewart as passed. Ward was then struck by Stewart, sucked under his car, and flung into the air. Video captured the incident.

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A sport saturated with machismo, NASCAR races are often spangled with fights between drivers — much to the delight of spectators. Favorites Jeff Gordon and Danica Patrick, renowned for their composure, have had their own outbursts. Stewart, himself with a reputation for hot-headed behavior, famously threw his helmet at the windshield of racer Matt Kenseth in 2012. But such peacocking is usually restricted to the sidelines, the pit, or after the race.

While acknowledging the tragedy, even the most ardent commentators and fans agree that walking onto the track with the race in progress is a foolhardy move. Ward was in fact nearly clipped by another driver before getting hit by Stewart.

Stewart, who set off a multi-car crash on the same track in 2013, withdrew from the race and was replaced by fellow teammate Regan Smith. Described as "visibly shaken," Stewart, 43, has been cooperating with authorities. In question is whether Stewart tried to buzz Ward before the accident; video shows Stewart's number-14 car fishtailing before the collision. Other factors, including a dirt track's notorious lack of friction extending slow-down times, and that Ward was wearing a black suit on a dimly lit stretch of track is another consideration.

The Ward family, locally known for racing, took to the Internet and Twitter condemning Stewart.

"Thanks for thinking of our family Tony Stewart when you decided to be a d**k," raged Wendi Ward, Kevin's aunt, on Twitter, adding, "I look into the eyes of (my) family and see a hurt that should not be there."

Ontario County police have asked for video and photography from the stands to help determine the course of events. Stewart has not yet been charged with a crime, but police did not rule out such a possibility as the investigation continues. 

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