Curt Cavin: Tony Stewart made the right call

Tony, it's the right call.

You have such great respect for men and women who race cars, motorcycles, anything with wheels. You love competition; you live for it. You always have.

You are also a family man, with terrific parents, a sister and an extended family that supports your every decision. They love you. People love you because you care so much and give your soul to others.

I doubt you knew Kevin Ward Jr., but he likely was one of your kind. He drove to the limit and, in one fateful moment, let his emotions get the best of him. It's happened to you, too. At Bristol Motor Speedway two years ago, you were so mad at Matt Kenseth that you stepped within a few feet of his moving car and threw a helmet. You had done the same thing to Kenny Irwin Jr. years ago at Martinsville Speedway and were standing by his rear tires as he sped away. You stepped dangerously close to other cars.

I know you're heartbroken for what happened last night, and you hurt for Ward's family. We all do, and we pray for all of you, including the spectators who witnessed this horrible accident.

We also believe you made the right call to sit today's race out. Your focus would have been compromised, putting you and others at risk. Driving also would have seemed insensitive, something you would have regretted later.

This was the right call, the only call.

God bless,

Curt

Curt Cavin writes for The Indianapolis Star