It was a noble and likely honest gesture on Tony Stewart's part.
It's also impossibility.
Tony Stewart talked to reporters Monday for the first time since his return to racing from a three week absence in the aftermath of the Kevin Ward Jr. tragedy, in which Stewart ran over Ward and killed him.
Kevin Ward Jr.'s family: Don't focus on marijuana, case against Tony Stewart to move forward
According to USA TODAY Sports, Stewart said he's willing to talk to Ward's family, which has been vocal in their criticism of Stewart and the New York District Attorney's office in its handling of the Aug. 9 incident.
"At this point, I don't need to talk to them for closure," Stewart said, according to USA TODAY sports. "I know what happened, and I know it was an accident, but I'm offering to talk to them to help them, if it helps them with closure."
Stewart' comments came hours after another of Ward's relatives, his aunt Wendi Ward, blasted Stewart in an open letter to USA TODAY Sports.
"Why was the toxicology report even an issue? Seems to me the wrong man was on trial. Tell me why Tony Stewart was not taken in for testing, why his car wasn't impounded. Tell me how a man the size of Kevin can make a sprint car turn to the right on impact. Tell me how a lap before (the incident) everything was fine, but the following lap was poor lighting. Tell me how a NASCAR star totally forgot what caution means."
Ward's family has indicated that it strongly will consider filing a civil lawsuit against Stewart in the death of Kevin. The threat alone prevents Stewart from speaking to anyone in Ward's family because the family may uses his words against him in a civil trial.
Stewart implored the media and those in the social media circles to refrain from believing one side and shunning the other.
"To me it's worthless to pick sides," Stewart said. "A young man lost his life, and I don't care what side you're on, it doesn't change that. His family's in mourning. I'm in mourning. My family is in mourning. Picking sides isn't solving or fixing anything. It's a waste of time to pick sides.
"Instead of honoring a young man that had a promising racing career, people are picking sides and throwing -- it's like watching people throw darts at each other."
Stewart can expect more darts as the family of Ward seems prepared to make a case against the owner of Stewart-Haas racing.
Do you think Tony Stewart will ever talk face to face with Kevin Ward's family? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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