Stewart declines comment on Chili Bowl confrontation with off-duty sheriff

An off-duty county sheriff reported to be highly inebriated was confronted by Tony Stewart on Friday night after screaming "murderer" at the three-time NASCAR champion while he helped prepare the track for the 30th annual Chili Bowl.

According to eyewitnesses, Kyle Hess kept taunting Stewart from his seat in the grandstands as the 44-year-old racing star went into the seats to confront his heckler. He placed his hands on Hess' shoulders and asked what his problem was before Hess shoved Stewart and then a security guard pushed Hess back down into his seat.

Hess was escorted off the Expo Center premises but Stewart took no action.

Dennis Larson, a Tulsa deputy police chief who also serves as a liaison officer at the Expo Center, told the Tulsa World that Hess was "under the influence" of alcohol."

Stewart declined to comment on Saturday.

Two photographers in the area told RACER.com they heard Hess yelling "murderer," referring to the 2014 sprint-car accident in New York that took the life of Kevin Ward Jr. when he charged Stewart's car during a caution period. The grand jury refused to indict Stewart on any charges but he's still facing a wrongful death lawsuit from Ward's family.