Tony Stewart asks that it is remembered a life was lost in incident with Kevin Ward Jr.

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2014, file photo, NASCAR driver Tony Stewart (14) looks out from his garage during a practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. An upstate New York grand jury has finished hearing testimony regarding Tony Stewart's role in the on-track death of sprint car driver Kevin Ward. The Ontario County District Attorney will announce the findings at 3 p.m. Eastern Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Paul J. Bergstrom, File) (The Associated Press)

This June 28, 2014, photo provided by Empire Super Sprints, Inc., shows sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr., at the Merrittville Speedway in Thorold, Canada. An upstate New York grand jury has finished hearing testimony regarding Tony Stewart's role in the on-track death of sprint car driver Kevin Ward. The Ontario County District Attorney will announce the findings at 3 p.m. Eastern Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Empire Super Sprints, Inc.) MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Tony Stewart called the death of Kevin Ward Jr. "the toughest and most emotional experience of my life," and asked that Ward's death not be overlooked after an upstate New York grand jury declined to charge the NASCAR champion.

Ward was killed Aug. 9 when a sprint car driven by Stewart struck him during a dirt track race. In a statement, Stewart said the incident would stay with him forever, and he thanked his supporters and the thorough investigation into the incident.

Stewart said: "While the process was long and emotionally difficult, it allowed for all the facts of the accident to be identified and known. While much of the attention has been on me, it's important to remember a young man lost his life."