NASCAR star Tony Stewart made his first public appearance since the accident that killed fellow driver Kevin Ward Jr. on Aug. 9, saying that the fatal crash will affect his life forever.

Stewart, whose car struck and killed Ward during the race at the Canandaigua Motorsports Park in New York earlier this month, said that the tragedy is one of the toughest challenges that he has ever faced in his entire life.

"This has been one of the toughest tragedies I've ever had to deal with, both professionally and personally. This is something that will definitely affect my life forever," Stewart said. "This is a sadness and a pain that I hope no one has to experience in their life."

Investigations about the tragic incident are still ongoing as the Ontario Country Sherrif's Department is trying to determine whether or not a criminal case should be filed against Stewart, but the three-time NASCAR champion maintained that it was an accident.

Stewart also reached out to Ward's family and said: "I know that the pain and the mourning that Kevin Ward's family and friends are experiencing is something that I can't possibly imagine. I want Kevin's father, Kevin Sr., and his mother, Pam, and his sisters Christi, Kayla, Katelyn, to know that every day I'm thinking about them and praying for them."

Stewart-Haas Racing President Brett Frood also confirmed that Stewart is planning to personally meet and apologize to Ward's relatives in the near future.

"It will be important for Tony to spend time with the family, and I believe that will happen at an appropriate time," Frood said via ESPN.

Stewart has missed three races since the incident, saying that he decided not to race at Watkins Glen, Michigan and Bristol Motor Speedway out of respect to Ward and his family.

Stewart, who needs to win one more race to qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, is expected to make his return on Sunday at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Frood expressed confidence that the 43-year-old will be ready to compete at this best.

"He's very emotional. It's been a difficult two weeks, but Tony is ready to be in the race car. He wouldn't be here if he wasn't," Frood said of Stewart, who opted not to take any questions on Friday.