NASCAR: Tony Stewart says Ward's death was "100 percent an accident"

In his first interview since a grand jury cleared him of any criminal charges over the events of Aug. 9 when the sprint car he was driving struck and killed Kevin Ward Jr. at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, Tony Stewart told the Associated Press that the incident was "100 percent an accident," although he admitted that hadn't prevent him being deeply traumatized by it.

"You sit there and you wrack your brain, you try to analyze, 'Why did this happen?' " Stewart told the AP. "I made myself miserable just trying to make sense of it ... I just couldn't function. I've never been in a position where I just couldn't function.

"You race hurt, you race sick, and that's the way racers have always been. You say you can go do what you need to do, and then it becomes very clear that you can't."

Stewart declined to describe what he remembered about the crash on the advice of legal counsel, Stewart would not describe what he remembers about the crash, which occurred as Ward and Stewart were 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.

Ward's family said in a statement following the grand jury's ruling that "the matter is not at rest," and implied Stewart may still face a civil lawsuit. "I guess the end result is I don't blame them for anything they say," Stewart told the AP.

After missing three Sprint Cup races following the incident, Stewart returned to NASCAR competition, but he admitted that it is unlikely he will take part in another sprint car race in the near future.

"I would say it's going to be a long time before you ever see me in a sprint car again, if ever," Stewart said. "I don't have any desire at this moment to get back in a car."

He said getting back to his racing routine, including his role as co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, also helped  return to his life in the sport, but he admitted that life that will never be the same.

"There hasn't been a day that's gone by that I haven't thought about it. And it will be like that all your life," Stewart said. "You are never going to forget about it. You are never going to not see it happen all over again. It's going to be a part of me forever."

Click here to read the full AP interview.

• Stewart attorney responds to grand jury ruling

• Ward family reacts to grand jury ruling