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 The most widely followed motorsports organization in the United
States said the new rule would require drivers involved in accidents
to remain in their car unless it was unsafe to do so due to fire or
smoke.
A track safety official would then direct the driver to leave the
car and walk directly to an ambulance or other vehicle.
The new rule puts into the books something that had "been informal,
just an understanding," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice
president of competition and racing development.
Stewart struck Kevin Ward, Jr., 20, during a dirt track race last
Saturday in upstate New York after Ward left his car and pointed at
Stewart while standing in the middle of the track.
"You have to recognize when you get a reminder or tap on the
shoulder, something that may need to be addressed," Pemberton told a
news conference at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn,
Michigan. "It was time to address this."
 No charges have been filed against the 43-year-old Stewart, one of
the sport's biggest names. The investigation has not yet been
completed.
Stewart will not take part in the Michigan 400 on Sunday, the second
straight NASCAR race he will skip following the deadly incident in
Canandaigua, New York, his team said. Jeff Burton will take
Stewart's place in the race.
Brett Frood, the executive vice president of Stewart's race team,
Stewart Haas Racing, said the decision to bow out "was Tony's."
"An emotional week for him. He's grieving," Frood told reporters.
"He made the decision he's not ready to get in the race car and will
take it week by week. It will be up to Tony when he's ready to get
back in the car."
Stewart and Ward bumped cars during last Saturday's dirt-track race,
and the impact sent Ward's car careening into an outside retaining
wall.
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As the caution flag came out, Ward jumped angrily out of his car and
walked to the middle of the track as Stewart, who remained in the race,
came around on the next lap.
Investigators are trying to determine if Stewart hit the throttle as he
approached Ward because his car appeared to fishtail before striking
Ward. Authorities have said they do not have any evidence of wrongdoing
by Stewart.
Frood said Stewart's sponsors, which provide millions of dollars to the
race team, were unwavering in their support.
Skipping Sunday's race eliminates Stewart from the Chase, NASCAR's
version of the playoffs.
"I'll be honest, the Chase is of the lowest priority as it relates to
Tony right now," Frood said. "Right now it's about getting Tony in a
better place than he is. When he's ready to do that, he'll get back in
the car."
(Reporting by Lewis Franck in Charlotte, North Carolina; Writing by
Steve Ginsburg; Editing by Scott Malone, Susan Heavey and Jim Loney)
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