CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Tony Stewart called the death of Kevin Ward Jr. “the toughest and most emotional experience of my life,” and asked that Ward’s death not be overlooked after an upstate New York grand jury declined to charge the NASCAR champion.

Ward was killed Aug. 9 when a sprint car driven by Stewart struck him during a dirt track race. In a statement, Stewart said the incident would stay with him forever, and he thanked his supporters and the thorough investigation into the incident.

Stewart said: “While the process was long and emotionally difficult, it allowed for all the facts of the accident to be identified and known. While much of the attention has been on me, it’s important to remember a young man lost his life.”

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