The Motorsport Thread 2014

In Helio's favour, I think he's been driving better this year than he did last. In race trim he's looked a good match for Power and Montoya so if nothing goes particularly against him I'd say he's got a very good chance of finally wrapping up a title.

^ Agreed. But sometimes it's one of those 'monkey on your back things'...the pressure of having lost so many before could weigh on te mind. I hope not of course, but it shouldbe a very intriguing race. (One that I'll be determined to watch!)

^ True.

Noob question: whats the breakdown of the remaining races (in terms of roads vs ovals)?

I know that there are very few MotoGP followers here, but for those of you in the States, a reminder that MotoGP is in Indy this weekend (with its 3 categories), it can be a good occasion for you to watch the sensational Marc Marquez who being only 21 years old has so far won the 9 races of the season in the premier MotoGP class (after having already won last year's title), so opportunity to see a legend in the making. 

I only see MotoGP stuff on Motorsport.com.  I haven't seen anything on FS1 or FS2 since Speed changed, either.  But yes, Marc Marquez is tearing it up in the MotoGP world!  He's all I usually hear about. 

Holy sh*t... I have not seen the video yet, but here is what we know... In a race in NY state there was some kind of altercation on track and a driver approached the car of Tony Stewart. The man, Kevin Ward Jr was hit by Stewart. Just heard on the radio that he has died. Now I will wait and see for myself but the broadcaster says it certainly looks like Stewart either hit him on purpose or "did not get out of the way". He would nor say definitively Stewart hit him on purpose...but he certainly didn't get out of the way. Suppose it could be a tragic accident, maybe just got too close but Kevin Ward Jr has died due to this incident

Edited by JJLehto - August 10 2014 at 03:01

Well, the worst possible outcome of this whole unfortunate incident has happened as Kevin Ward has passed away from his injuries.  He was DOA.

A sad day in motor racing and a very sad and strange situation since this isn't your typical racing accident.  Now, we wait to see what's going to happen to Tony Stewart and his future in racing or even his personal life.  Apparently, he was questioned and released by police and currently this isn't a criminal investigation, but there are still a lot of details to be worked out of all this.

I'm just completely stunned by all of this.  A sad, unfortunate, senseless incident on both accounts.  If Stewart WAS trying to intimidate Ward, then that's completely inexcusable as it caused a young man to lose his life.  At the same time, Ward shouldn't have been walking in the middle of the race track towards moving sprint cars.  A lapse in judgement on both drivers results in a senseless death. 


Edited by MillsLayne - August 10 2014 at 03:13

I know what you mean.  I want to get some sleep so I can get up and watch all of the pre-race stuff to see any new details to the incident or if Stewart will still race.  Unfortunately, I don't feel like tomorrow's race will be that enjoyable for anyone.  

A terrible accident. I've got to say this is one aspect of American racing that I am completely against, that intimidation and even crashing into people (or forcing them to crash), can be seen as acceptable, as can walking into the middle of the track to remonstrate with the another competitor as he drives past. I haven't watched the video and have no intention of doing so but from the descriptions I'd have to say Stewart was out of line and Ward was being idiotic in the extreme, walking right up to the racing line. Even at safety/pace car speeds these vehicles are doing 50/60 mph and that will kill you if they hit you.