Tony Stewart has elected not race in this weekend’s NASCAR event at Michigan International Speedway, Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) announced Thursday.
Tony Stewart to sit out Michigan NASCAR race
Jeff Burton will sub for Tony Stewart in this weekend’s NASCAR race at Michigan.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
SHR has named Jeff Burton to drive Stewart’s No. 14 car in Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400. Stewart’s availability going forward has not yet been decided.
“This driver change pertains only to Michigan. Stewart’s plans for upcoming Sprint Cup races have yet to be determined,” SHR said in a statement.
The decision follows Stewart’s involvement in an incident that killed Kevin Ward Jr. in a sprint car race last Saturday night at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park. An on-foot Ward was approaching Stewart’s car under caution when Ward was stuck by the right rear of Stewart’s car.
Ward, 20, died of “massive blunt trauma,” according to an autopsy performed Monday.
Rules change
Stewart could face criminal charges. An investigation is ongoing and authorities have said, “There are no facts that exist that support any criminal behavior or conduct or probable cause of a criminal act in this investigation,” according to press conference by Ontario (N.Y.) County Sheriff Philip C. Povero. The investigation is expected to last another two weeks.
Stewart sat out Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen International. Regan Smith filled in, finishing 37th.
When asked Monday about Stewart’s status for Michigan, an SHR spokesmen said Stewart was in no rush.
“The decision to compete in this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Michigan will be Tony’s, and he will have as much time as he needs to make that decision,” SHR director of communications Mike Arning said in an email to SB Nation. “It is still an emotional time for all involved, Tony included. He is grieving, and grief doesn’t have a timetable.”
Winless on the season, Stewart is 21st in points and not currently qualified for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. A three-time series champion, he would need a victory in one of the final four races to be eligible.
Burton is a 21-time Cup winner. He has made just two starts on the year with a best finish of 17th.
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