glen. after last year's tragedy, still carrying a heavy burden. >> i don't think i'll ever be the same. i don't see how anybody could be. >> reporter: it was this weekend, 2014 when stewart hit kevin ward, jr., as they raced small sprint cars on a nearby dirt track. it shows ward getting out of his car to confront stewart when he's hit. toxicology tests showed ward had marijuana in his system. a grand jury investigation cleared stewart who called it an accident. but in a civil suit filed on friday, ward's parents call it wanton, reckless and malicious. the lawsuit claims other drivers slowed and avoided ward. but not stewart. >> the standard is was he negligent? was he reckless? should he have slowed down? really, they're asking to speculate on what was in his head and what he was thinking. >> reporter: in a statement, ward's parents called kevin the light of their lives adding they hope to hold tony stewart responsible and show him there are real consequences. for stewart, often viewed as a hot head on and off the track, there is already been a cost. >> it's been the worst season of his life. he's been in a huge slump most of the year. he hasn't had many races in which he's been