Tony Stewart, a native of Columbus, Indiana, faced the media for the first time since the accident in Canandaigua, New York that took the life of 20-year-old Kevin Ward Jr. Stewart held a press conference on Friday in which he read a prepared statement following the announcement from NASCAR that he’s been cleared to return to racing.

President of NASCAR Mike Helton held a press conference following the embattled driver’s in which he said Stewart would be allowed to compete in NASCAR’s Chase if he was to win a race in the final two events leading into the playoffs.

That does not make any sense.

Stewart hasn’t been in the race car for the past three weeks due to the tragedy. In normal circumstances, a driver would have to be in the car for the balance of the season. NASCAR has instead given itself a black eye by allowing someone to race who this writer doesn’t believe should be allowed in racing ever again. The thing NASCAR should’ve done instead is say no to Mr. Stewart. NASCAR superstar or not, a driver should not be above the law.