Savage » ven in a run. He was hitting .160, had nearly three times a

TURIN, N.Y. -- Kevin Ward Jr.s friends, family and fellow racing enthusiasts overflowed a high school auditorium Thursday to grieve and share stories about the 20-year-old dirt-track racer whose car was hit by one driven by NASCAR champion Tony Stewart. With Ward lying in an open casket decorated with racing flags and piled with orange flowers, his familys team colours, mourners shed tears and laughed at favourite stories about the boy who began racing when he was barely more than a toddler. The 90-minute service was held at the South Lewis Senior High School auditorium to accommodate crowds of people from the close-knit central New York racing community. "Even if he had rough day, he always had a smile," a tearful Dylan Swiernick said of his best friend and car-obsessed buddy. "We were just two small-town boys trying to make it in the big world. He was always working on something. It was unbelievable how smart he was. He never got down on himself when things werent going his way." Ward, a 2012 South Lewis graduate, was buried in his nearby hometown of Port Leyden, 55 miles from Syracuse. "He was an amazing sprint car driver and had a family like no other," his cousin, Amanda Ward, said in a eulogy. "We used to tell him before every race, Drive it like you stole it. He never let us down." His sister, Kayla Herring, said the orange and white lapel ribbons worn by family and friends were to signify that the team colours would remain bright, even in the darkest times. There was barely a dry eye in the auditorium as a recording of the Dixie Chicks singing "Godspeed, little man, sweet dreams, little man," was played at the request of Wards mother. After the service, as Wards casket was taken to the hearse for the short trip to the cemetery, mourners let loose helium balloons in orange, white and black. Ward died Saturday night at a track 140 miles away in Canandaigua, where Stewart was riding a day before the Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen. The accident touched off debates as video of the crash circulated online, with fans questioning whether Stewart, known for his hot temper, tried to send his own message by buzzing Ward, or whether Ward recklessly stepped onto a dark track clad in black. Stewart was racing a day before the Sprint Cup event at Watkins Glen. After a bump from Stewart sent Wards winged car spinning into the wall, the young driver climbed out and walked onto the track in his black firesuit, gesturing angrily. Stewarts No. 14 car seemed to fishtail, and Ward was thrown through the air as his parents and fans watched in horror. No charges have been filed, but Ontario County Sheriffs deputies are still investigating. Ward grew up in a racing family and started racing go-carts at age 4. He moved on to sprint cars and was Empire Super Sprint racing rookie of the year in 2012. He was one of a small, tight group of drivers that travelled to various races around New York state, parts of Canada and Pennsylvania. Racing and working on cars in his fathers shop, Westward Painting Co. of Lyons Falls, were his "double love," Wards father told the Post-Standard of Syracuse this week. "His goal was ... the World of Outlaws," the top level for sprint cars, Ward said. William Carrier Jersey . Mesoraco hurt his hamstring while scoring from second in Friday nights 5-4 loss at Atlanta. Chapman was hit by a line drive during an exhibition game on March 19, breaking his nose and a bone above his left eye. The left-hander looked strong while throwing 43 pitches in batting practice before Saturday nights game against the Braves. Nate Schmidt Golden Knights Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Im sure youve received many emails wondering what your take is on the Spezza goal that looked like Neil blatantly kicked it in while standing directly in the middle of the crease where, you know, usually a goalie is to make a save but couldnt be due to Neil being there! Thanks! Jon - Westfield, MA Jon: Lets first ask Henrik Lundqvist what he thought of the scoring of the Sens second goal with . http://www.goldenknightssale.com/authentic-marc-andre-fleury-golden-knights-jersey/ . The third-ranked Buckeyes were down eight points to Notre Dame with less than 2 minutes to play and their offence was nowhere to be found. Jon Merrill Jersey . Bryce Harper? He also came into Wednesday without a long ball and hadnt driven in a run. He was hitting .160, had nearly three times as many strikeouts as hits and was dropped to seventh in the batting order. Reilly Smith Golden Knights Jersey . -- Washingtons Bradley Beal seemed to make every shot he took in setting a career high with 37 points.NUREMBERG, Germany -- Second-seeded Eugenie Bouchard of Canada will play Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic for the Nuremberg Cup title. Bouchard defeated Karin Knapp of Italy 6-4, 6-3 and Pliskova upset fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 in Fridays semifinals. Bouchard reached the semifinals at thee Australian Open but is still looking for her first WTA title.dddddddddddd Pliskova, who upset top-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany in the quarterfinals, is in her second final of the year and is seeking her second career title after Kuala Lumpur in 2013. Bouchard has not lost a set en route to the final. ' ' '