Jeff Gordon And Rick Hendrick Stand By Tony Stewart Amidst Tragedy

As Tony Stewart continues to skip races, tensions on both sides seem to be growing. Tony Stewart, despite being in seclusion as reported by The Inquisitr, fans, family and other drivers have been in the spotlight voicing their opinions and viewpoints. They range from sorrow to anger, and from support to condolences.

A grieving father, Kevin Ward Sr. told the Syracuse Post-Standard, Tony Stewart seemed to be the only one who did not see Mr. Ward on the track.

Apparently, Tony Stewart was the only one driving out there who didn’t see him”

According to TWC News, and further reported by The Inquisitr, NASCAR driver Cory Sparks saw things differently.

From what I saw, Tony did everything in his power to turn down away from Kevin to avoid him”

Now, two other drivers who dealt with tragedy off the track have weighed in on the controversial, and still unresolved incident. According to NBC Sport’s MotorSportsTalk, Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick both have not been in touch with Mr. Stewart, but have offered him a lifeline should he chose to contact them. Mr. Hendrick explained what contact he has had at this point with Tony Stewart.

I’ve talked to Eddie Jarvis (Stewart’s business manager and close confidant),’ Hendrick said. ‘I didn’t talk to Tony. I’ve stayed in touch with them. I brought Regan up to the race in Watkins Glen (to fill in for Stewart in the No. 14 race car for last Sunday’s Sprint Cup race).

I think they’re making the best of the situation that they’re in. Tony’s got a lot of good folks around him. I’ve told him I’m there if they need me. But I haven’t talked to him.”

Shortly after Mr. Hendrick weighed in, Mr. Gordon told MotorSportsTalk that he has attempted to reach out directly to Mr. Stewart.

“I have not spoken to Tony. I have reached out to him through texts, knowing I’m not going to get a response, but just to let him know I was thinking about him.

“I just can’t imagine what he’s going through. Can’t imagine what the Ward family is going through. It’s a very, very difficult time.

“But I support Tony, definitely support him. Wish I could pat him on the back, give him a hug, talk to him. I’d love to.”

Mr. Gordon did go on to explain that he “could not imagine” what the Ward family are going through, during this difficult time. Fans of Mr. Stewart have also been weighing in on the issue. Sporting News reported on Saturday at the Michigan International Speedway, many had signs, tattoos, and other “Stewart gear”. Laurie Cregar, who was not named as a fan, was staunchly in support of the incident being in fact an accident.

“He just happened to be the driver. It could have happened to anybody.”

Another person in attendance, who was wearing his Tony Stewart gear, believed he simply did not see him and that the coverage was one sided.

“It’s terrible the way the media is treating him. They’re acting like he ran over him on purpose and that’s not the truth. I don’t know why they would even think that way.”

Though, no fans have been the subject of hate mail or any other similar vocal hatred for their support, it has not been the case for everyone. NPR sports commentator Mike Pesca, according to Sporting News, was told he supported a murderer. He posted a tweet about this.

This was tweeted after he was on MSNBC explaining how Stewart might not have been able to see Kevin Ward Jr. At this time, no further information regarding the case against Mr. Stewart has been made available.

[ Images Via Shutterstock And Twitter ]