Tony Stewart will return to Sprint Cup competition Sunday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway. That will end a three-race hiatus taken after he struck and killed a fellow driver during a dirt track race.

The three-time NASCAR champion has not raced since his car hit Kevin Ward Jr. at an August 9th sprint car event in New York. Stewart pulled out of the NASCAR race at Watkins Glen the next morning, then skipped races at Michigan and Bristol Motor Speedway.

Stewart, who was described by police as "visibly shaken" the night of Ward's death, has been in seclusion ever since.

Ontario County New York Sheriff Philip Povero said August 12 the investigation into Ward's death would take at least two more weeks.

A spokeswoman for the sheriff's office said Thursday after the announcement that there was nothing new to report on the status of the investigation.

NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer Steve O'Donnell said in a statement:

Tony Stewart has received all the necessary clearances required to return to all racing activities and therefore is eligible to compete this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. NASCAR has remained in constant contact with his race team and we will stay very close to this situation as Stewart returns to competition.

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