Regeln » ven in a formal NFL investigation into the

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- For Tony Stewart, there was no greater joy than escaping his everyday life and climbing behind the wheel of a sprint car. He loves the feel, the way they drive, the purity he finds at all the tiny dirt tracks across the country. When he broke his leg racing his sprint car a year ago, an injury that sidelined him for six months, he was almost defiant in his desire to never give up his hobby. But after the death of Kevin Ward Jr., who was killed when Stewarts car struck him as Ward walked on an upstate New York dirt track on Aug. 9, Stewart may never get back in a sprint car. I would say its going to be a long time before you ever see me in a sprint car again, if ever. I dont have any desire at this moment to get back in a car, Stewart told The Associated Press in his first interview since a grand jury decided he would not be charged in Wards death. If I had the option to go right now to a race, I wouldnt. I dont even know when Ill go to a sprint car race again to watch. I can promise you its going to be a long time before you ever see me back in one. Sitting on his couch Thursday night in his Huntersville, North Carolina, home, a sprint car race in Arkansas was on mute on his television. Stewarts eyes were constantly drawn to the action. He cant help himself. Its where he came from, how he made his name and the one form of racing he simply couldnt walk away from, even as he was criticized for jeopardizing his lucrative NASCAR career by messing around in the dirt. He just couldnt give it up. Not when he became a multi-millionaire and one of NASCARs biggest names, not after good friend Jason Leffler was killed in a sprint car race last year, and not after his own injury led to three surgeries, a month in bed and forced him to miss NASCAR races for the first time in his career. Stewart is addicted to the simplicity of sprint car racing, to racing at venues across the country where the crowd is starving for gimmick-free racing. He didnt care that a field full of drivers of varying ages and talent were racing for purses that rarely reach $5,000. He made it his goal to give back to the sprint car community at every turn, especially after his accident. He improved the part that broke and caused his broken leg, and spent $110,000 on firesuits and helmets for nearly 50 drivers who needed updated safety equipment. Stewart even paid for the embroidery on the firesuits. His only request? That his Tony Stewart Racing logo be placed in a position that would not be noticed during interviews. Stewart has been grappling with the decision to leave sprint racing since his 2013 crash at an Iowa dirt track. Hed only returned to sprint car racing one month before Wards death. Its hurt for 16 months to sit and be scrutinized for it, said Stewart, and to try to give back to a sport that you love, and every time you turn around, youve got to constantly defend yourself for doing something and trying to support something that you believe in and care about. Stewart, a three-time NASCAR champion, spent three weeks in seclusion at his Indiana home after Wards death and describes those weeks as the darkest of his life. On the advice of legal counsel, Stewart would not describe what he remembers about the crash at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, but insists what happened was 100 per cent an accident. Ward and Stewart had been racing for position when Ward crashed, exited his vehicle and walked down the dark track in an apparent attempt to confront Stewart. A toxicology report found Ward also had marijuana in his system. Wards family has said the matter is not at rest, and Stewart may still face a civil lawsuit. Stewart wants to discuss the accident, and said not being able to talk about what happened keeps me from moving forward. It just stays there, hanging over my head. Its just been a really tough six weeks. I went to go have fun for a night, and thats not what ended up happening. Ward and Stewart didnt know each other, and Stewart doesnt 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 cant imagine how the Ward family is feeling, doesnt blame them for anything they may say about him, but hopes to someday get the chance to sit with them and talk about that night. I would hope they understand -- maybe they do, maybe they dont, maybe they never will -- that I do care, he said. Ive tried to be respectful of their process of grieving and not push myself on them. Im sure they have things that they want to know what happened and I think its important for them at some point to hear it from my point. Stewart believes his past -- previous eruptions have included him throwing a helmet at another car, shouting and shoving matches, and sharply worded dressing downs -- has played heavily into how the public has viewed Wards death. But he doesnt believe he has a problem with anger, and did not have a problem with Ward that evening. Anger had nothing to do with what happened that night, Stewart said. I wasnt angry with anything or anybody. He is back at NASCAR events after missing three races. But when not at the track, he barely leaves his house. A day feels like a month. His mind wanders, his emotions get the best of him. At stake now is a streak of a winning at least one race every year of his Sprint Cup career, and Stewart has just eight more chances this season to get to Victory Lane. Its a mark he can focus on to help his healing, and he insists his heart and his head are up to the challenge. If it doesnt happen, it doesnt happen. Theres going to be a lot bigger things at the end of my life that are going to matter more than my Cup career, he said. But youve got to have goals, youve got to have something to push for, youve got to have a reason we do this. Its nice to have something to focus on again. Nikita Zadorov Avalanche Jersey . The question all fans want to know heading into this light heavyweight affair is will Rua display his true potential. Working with UFC welterweight fighter Demian Maias team in Sao Paulo Brazil and having training partners such as fellow UFC stand outs Fabio Maldonado and Daniel Sarafian, the 32-year old feels very well prepared for Friday nights encounter. Colorado Avalanche Jerseys http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic...alanche-jersey/. It was the quickest three-goal sequence in Olympic history, with the latter two coming just eight seconds apart. Kessel, Lamoureux and Kendall Coyne all scored twice for the Americans, and Molly Schaus made 10 saves in her Sochi debut. Philipp Grubauer Avalanche Jersey . - Urijah (The California Kid) Faber finds himself in an unaccustomed position Saturday night at UFC 175 — on the preliminary card. Rob Ramage Avalanche Jersey . Juventus announced details of the deal Saturday, saying that Morata signed a five-year contract with the club. The deal also includes an option for Madrid to buy Morata back for up to (euro)30 million ($40.SAN FRANCISCO - Jonathan Martin has had Jim Harbaughs support all along, from his early college days at Stanford to the offensive tackles tumultuous year in which he accused a Dolphins teammate of bullying, and even in a formal NFL investigation into the situation in Miami. Now, Harbaugh is giving Martin a football fresh start. In a safe environment around former Stanford coaches who consider him a friend. Martin was traded from Miami to the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday night to play once more for Harbaugh, who publicly expressed his support of Martin last year and called him a "personal friend." The Dolphins announced the move late on the first day of NFL free agency. San Francisco then confirmed the trade, saying only that it would send an undisclosed draft choice to Miami and that Martin still must pass a physical to complete the deal. "Big news.... Beyond Blessed ... Opportunities are few in the NFL... Cant wait to get to work #9erEmpire," Martin posted on Twitter. The 24-year-old Martins move should be a simple one considering hes already in town — back on the Stanford campus taking classes. "This is great for him to get back on the field and hes in Palo Alto right now. It couldnt be much better," his agent, Ken Zuckerman, said in a phone interview. "I just think everyone wanted this to happen. Harbaugh knows Jonathan, I think the Dolphins were compensated and Jonathan wants to get back on the field. Its a good day." An investigation for the NFL determined last month that Dolphins guard Richie Incognito and two other offensive linemen engaged in persistent harassment of Martin, another offensive lineman and an assistant trainer. "As far as that situation, theres only one thing I can intelligently comment on and thats knowing Jonathan Martin," Harbaugh said in November. "I know him to be a fine person and his family. ... (He) epitomizes the student-athlete model and a personal friend. I support Jonathan." The trade capped a busy first day for the 49ers, who lost to the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship game. Martin left the Dolphins in late October, underwent counselling for emotional issues and alleged he was harassed by teammates. Incognito wwas then suspended for the final eight games.dddddddddddd "We feel that this move is in the best interests of all parties involved," Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey said. "We wish Jonathan well." After a report on the investigation was released last month, the Dolphins fired offensive line coach Jim Turner and longtime trainer Kevin ONeill. Incognito and guard John Jerry, who was also implicated in the report, became free agents Tuesday and arent expected to play for the Dolphins again. Incognito has recently received treatment in the wake of the scandal. He sent tweets in recent weeks that varied dramatically in tone, including a rant blasting Martin that quickly went viral. Martins departure from the Dolphins had been expected. Owner Stephen Ross said in January that he didnt expect Martin to play for the team again. The investigation for the NFL found a pattern of harassment on the Dolphins, with Martin the primary target of vicious taunts and racist insults that occurred almost daily. The report said teammates threatened to rape Martins sister, called him a long list of slurs and bullied him for not being "black enough." Martin is black and Incognito is white. The troubled relationship between Martin and Incognito drew national scrutiny and stirred a debate about bullying. Martin said he tried to be friends with Incognito despite their diverse backgrounds. Martin was a classics major at Stanford, while Incognito, 30, was kicked off his team at Nebraska and went on to develop a reputation as one of the NFLs dirtiest players. Martin, who protected Andrew Lucks blind side at Stanford, was a second-round draft pick by Miami in 2012. He became a starter as a rookie but struggled at times while being shuffled between right and left tackle. Last year he was part of a line that allowed a franchise-record 58 sacks. The Dolphins began revamping their line Tuesday by agreeing to terms with Pro Bowl left tackle Braden Albert. Martin has two years remaining on his contract and has a base salary of $824,933 this year. Pro Bowl centre Mike Pouncey is the only offensive lineman involved in the bullying scandal still on Miamis roster. AP Sports Writer Steven Wine in Miami contributed to this report. ' ' '