Stewart says crash was '100 percent' accident

There were days when NASCAR star Tony Stewart couldn't get out of bed. It was a chore to take a shower, to leave his room. The television was on, he would stare at it, and have no idea what he was watching. He didn't care about motor racing. He didn't want to talk to anyone, let alone face his family, friends or other drivers. Stewart's grief over the death of Kevin Ward Jr. was overwhelming, and he couldn't find his way out of the fog. Stewart spent three weeks in seclusion at his Indiana home after the car he was driving struck and killed Ward at a dirt track in upstate New York on Aug. 9. He describes those weeks as the darkest of his life. "I know 100 percent in my heart and in my mind that I did not do anything wrong. This was 100 percent an accident," Stewart told The Associated Press on Thursday in his first interview since a grand jury decided he would not be charged in Ward's death. On the advice of legal counsel, Stewart would not describe what he remembers about the crash at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. Sitting on the couch of his North Carolina home, a sprint car race in Arkansas on mute on the television, Stewart said not being able to talk about what happened is extending his anguish. "It keeps me from moving forward. It just stays there, hanging over my head," Stewart said. Ward and Stewart didn't know each other, and Stewart doesn't recall them ever talking. He laments that in the scrutiny that followed - some questioned if Stewart had tried to intimidate Ward for stepping on the track - that the loss of the 20-year-old driver and his promising career fell to the background. He said he can't imagine how the Ward family is feeling. "I guess the end result is I don't blame them for anything they say," he said. He said he needed professional help to cope with the situation, and asking for assistance wasn't easy. Stewart, 43, isn't married, has no children, and keeps a tight inner circle. He's a solitary figure of sorts, someone who broods and stews alone, and opening himself up for self-examination was a monumental task. "There hasn't been a day that's gone by that I haven't thought about it. And it will be like that all your life," he said. "You are never going to forget about it. You are never going to not see it happen all over again. It's going to be a part of me forever."(AP)

Penske extends Logano's contract

Team Penske announced that it has signed multiple-race winner and 2014 NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup contender, Joey Logano, to a contract extension. Under the new multi-year agreement, Logano will continue behind the wheel of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the #22 Discount Tire / Hertz Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for Team Penske. "Joey Logano has been everything we hoped he would be, both as a driver and as a representative of our organization and for our partners," said Roger Penske. "He continues to put points on the board for us and the continuity and chemistry he has developed within the team has been terrific. We believe he can be a leader and championship-level driver for Team Penske for years to come." Already a seven-year NASCAR veteran, the 24-year-old has proven to be an elite driver. Throughout the course of his career, Logano has produced seven NSCS wins and 21 NNS victories. Since joining Team Penske at the start of the 2013 NASCAR season, Logano has enjoyed the best two-year stretch of his young career, earning five NSCS wins and three NNS victories. "I am fortunate and excited to be a part of Team Penske for the foreseeable future," said Logano, currently ranked second in the Chase standings after his victory last weekend at New Hampshire. "Mr. Penske gives us everything we need to keep our eye on the prize and compete for wins and championships. I think that is clear by the number of wins we have across the board this year. I'm fortunate to represent great companies like Ford, Shell-Pennzoil, AAA, AutoTrader.com, Discount Tire, Hertz and all of the great partners we have here at Team Penske. I think our best years are in front of us for sure."(Team Penske)

Grand jury clears Tony Stewart in Canandaigua dirt track crash

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart has been cleared of all charges by a grand jury for his role in an August crash at a Canandaigua dirt track that killed another driver.

The Ontario County Grand Jury decided on Wednesday to not indict Stewart for his role in that crash which killed sprint car driver Kevin Ward Junior last month.

The case was presented to the grand jury this week after a month long investigation by the Ontario County Sheriff's Office. Ward was killed on August 9 when a car driven by the three-time NASCAR champion struck and killed him during a race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park.

Ward had climbed from his car to confront Stewart when he was struck. The 20-year-old died of blunt force trauma.

On Tuesday, we reported that local driver Chuck Hebing was called to testify in front of the Grand Jury. Hebing was driving in front of Stewart just before the crash.(WHEC)

Man dies after crash at Kentucky Speedway

Rusty Wallace's racing organization is trying to determine what caused the death of an Indiana man at a fan driving event bearing the former NASCAR driver's name.

Stephen Cox of Decatur, Indiana, died Sunday at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center from injuries sustained in a Sept. 14 accident during the Rusty Wallace Driving Experience at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta. Cox was 30.

RWRE spokesman Bill Coady did not provide details Tuesday about the accident or say whether Cox was the driver or passenger in the stock car during the event. Wallace was not at the track when the accident occurred.

Wallace's son and Rusty Wallace Inc. vice president, Greg, emailed a statement from the company to The Associated Press that said, ''Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Cox. We have been in contact with the management of RWRE - a licensee of RWI - to ascertain the facts and understand exactly what happened.''

Coady said Cox's death was the first fatality in the four-year existence of RWRE, which is based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and operates at 60 locations in the United States and Canada.

Cox's death was first reported by the Kentucky Enquirer.

RWRE is among several companies bearing names of famous drivers that offer one-day fantasy-type driving experiences to the public in ''condensed'' NASCAR vehicles featuring manual transmissions. An advanced package in a Nationwide Series car is available, as are ride-along options.

Coady said that Wallace, a Hall of Famer and an ESPN race analyst, shows up at the experience ''on occasion.''

RWRE's prices range from a $169, five-lap entry-level package on a short layout up to $1,099 for 20 laps on a superspeedway. Classroom and on-track instruction is provided depending on the package, and a driver's license is required.

Participants must have their own health insurance and are responsible for damage to the cars. RWRE offers a $60 optional plan that limits individual costs to $1,000 and says that ''due to the quality of the training and cars, damage is rare.'' (Y! Sports)

2014 AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway Weekend Schedule

Friday, September 26
11:00 AM - 12:20 PM AAA 400 PRACTICE (FS1)
3:40 PM AAA 400 QUALIFYING (ESPN2)

Saturday, September 27
11:00 - 11:50 AM AAA 400 PRACTICE (FS1)
12:15 PM Dover 200 QUALIFYING (FS2)
2:00 - 2:50 PM AAA 400 FINAL PRACTICE (FS2)
3:30 PM 2014 Dover 200 (ESPN2)
7:00 PM 2014 Rhino Linings 350 (FS1)

Sunday, September 28
2:00 PM 2014 AAA 400 (ESPN)

ALL POSTED TIMES LOCAL TO EACH TRACK