I'm not a fan of NASCAR, let alone any type of circle track racing.
I just watched the video and in my opinion he tried to avoid hitting him.
Tony was going as slow as the driver in front of him and when the Ward kid ran down in front of him it's obvious that Tony goosed it to keep from hitting him as the rear of the car actually went left, away from Ward. I think the kid just got too close and as the cars rear came back it snagged him.
Terrible tragedy that could've been avoided if the kid stayed in his rig and cooled off a little.