Tony Stewart will miss 2nd race after death of Kevin Ward, Jr.

Overwhelmed with grief and emotion, Tony Stewart is not ready to get behind the wheel again, Stewart-Haas Racing officials said Friday at Michigan International Speedway.

Stewart is missing his second consecutive race after being involved in an incident that killed Kevin Ward, Jr., in a sprint car race Aug. 9 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park. The decision to sit out this weekend was Stewart’s and it will be his call when to return.

“This was an emotional week for him,” SHR executive vice president Brett Frood said. “He’s grieving and made the decision he’s not ready to get in the racecar and will take it week by week. It will be up to Tony when he’s ready to get back in the car.

“Anytime someone is lost, especially at a racetrack, it’s tragic. It was a tragic accident and he’s dealing with quite a bit of grief.”

The Ontario (N.Y.) County Sheriff’s Department is investigating Ward’s death and Stewart could potentially face criminal charges. Sheriff Philip C. Povero said no evidence exists to suggest “criminal intent” on Stewart’s part during a Monday press conference. The investigation is expected to conclude in two weeks.

Because of legalities, SHR officials were unable to answer some questions during the Friday press conference.

“I’m quite certain when we get through this that everyone will get the story from the key parties,” Frood said.

Stewart has not spoken publicly since the incident, but did a release a statement Sunday. He has had minimal contact with anyone outside of his inner circle and is at an undisclosed location with his family and friends. Jimmie Johnson said he tried reaching out to the three-time Cup champion, but was unsuccessful.

“I just feel for him and for Gene Haas, the team, the uncertainty that lies there, certainly from the Tony-standpoint and then, the Ward family,” Johnson said. “As much as I’m concerned for Tony and his well-being, the pain and sorrow that the Ward family and friends are going through.

“It’s such a sad, sad set of circumstances; certainly a hot button for different sides and different reasons and different opinions. I think once Tony is able to talk, or does talk, I think a lot of us and many people out there will feel better hearing his side of the situation.”

As Stewart processes his grief and the events that took Ward’s life, the team bearing his name presses on.

Jeff Burton will drive Stewart’s No. 14 car in Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400. Team competition director Greg Zipadelli phoned Burton on Wednesday morning as a contingency in case Stewart elected against competing. Going forward, SHR’s plans remain undetermined.

“My role here is to hopefully provide a little stability, give that team a chance to have the most success they can have in a very difficult situation,” Burton said. “Hopefully I can find a way to help the healing process start. I don’t know how that is, but that would be my ultimate goal for everybody.

“Obviously, it’s an awkward situation for everybody. But there’s a lot of people at Stewart-Haas Racing that work really, really hard and deserve 100 percent effort from me and that’s what they’re going to get.”