Tony Stewart’s return to race track ends early

HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) — Tony Stewart will now start focusing on next weekend’s NASCAR race in Richmond, Virginia.

His return to the track Sunday night ended only a little over halfway through his race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Stewart hit the wall for the second time after his right front tire blew out on lap 172, ending his night.

He first went into the wall earlier the race following a collision with Kyle Busch, requiring work on his car.

Stewart skipped three NASCAR Sprint Cup races after his car struck and killed a fellow driver in a dirt-track race in upstate New York. He decided to return this week, needing to win either at Atlanta or the next race at Richmond to claim a spot in the Chase.

The investigation continues into the tragic incident that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr.

No decision has been made about whether Stewart will face charges.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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