Kevin Ward Sr. recently gave his first interview following the death of his son, Kevin Ward Jr., during a dirt track race the evening of August 9.
Ward Jr. exited his car after being pushed into a wall by three-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart's vehicle. As Ward Jr. tried to approach the oncoming vehicle on foot, Stewart hit Ward Jr. with his car.
The driver's father wants answers, but isn't sure he will get any.
"The one person that knows what happened that night is possibly facing 10 years in prison," Ward Sr. told the Syracuse Post-Standard. "Is he going to say what he done?"
The other drivers passed Ward Jr. – who was wearing an orange and black jumpsuit with fluorescent stripes – without incident, but Stewart's car slightly fishtailed toward Ward Jr. as he passed him.
"Apparently, Tony Stewart was the only one driving out there who didn't see him," Ward Sr. said.
The father also responded to criticism that his son should not have gone onto the track after his car was crashed into.
"I think the reason he probably got out of that car is who put him into the wall," he said. "He was definitely put into the wall.
"Tony Stewart was the best damn driver by far on the track that night. Why he had to go up as high as he did and hog my son, there's no reason for it."
An autopsy revealed that the 20-year-old died of severe head trauma. His death is still being investigated.
While the racing world deals with the loss of the young racing star, the family must deal with the tragic loss of their son, brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin.
"He was just a very God-gifted kid," his father said. "I think he slept with a smile on his face."
