Tony Stewart confronts heckler at Chili Bowl Nationals

Tony Stewart went into the grandstands to confront a heckler during the Friday night portion of the Chili Bowl Nationals, according to multiple videos posted on social media.

What prompted Stewart to go into the grandstands is unclear, but multiple spectators tweeted saying the heckler flipped Stewart off before the confrontation that included the unidentified heckler falling backwards.

The Chili Bowl held in Tulsa, Okla., is one of the most prestigious dirt Midget sprint car events in the world with this year’s race attracting over 300 entries representing 34 states and five countries. Stewart, a two-time Chili Bowl winner, is not competing in the weeklong event but is assisting with track preparations.

Stewart has not raced sprint cars since being involved in the death of Kevin Ward Jr. in an August 2014 race at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park. Ward had just been involved in an accident with Stewart and was walking on the track to confront the multi-time NASCAR champion when Stewart’s car clipped Ward.

The incident was determined to be an accident with an Ontario County grand jury ruling Stewart did not intentionally hit Ward and would not face charges of criminally negligent homicide or second degree manslaughter. Ward’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Stewart last August, a case that remains open.