NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart speaks with crew members during practice for the Daytona 500 qualifying at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, in this file photo taken February 16, 2013. Stewart canceled plans to compete
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart speaks with crew members during practice for the Daytona 500 qualifying at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, in this file photo taken February 16, 2013. Stewart canceled plans to compete in a race on August 10, 2014, hours after being in an accident at a dirt track in New York state where a driver was killed, team manager Greg Zipadelli said in a televised news conference. REUTERS

Tony Stewart is skipping racing for the third time after the mishap that took the life of fellow racer Kevin Ward Jr.

According to USA Today, Jeff Burton, the same driver who took his place last week at Michigan, will substitute for the controversial three-time NASCAR champion. Stewart has not touched the wheel in a competition since he ran over Ward in a dirt track in New York last Aug. 9.

Stewart-Haas racing has announced the substitution Wednesday confirming that Burton will maneuver the no. 14 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Bristol. The team clarified that it has not yet finalized any plans for the rest of the season specifically the racing plans for Stewart, who has been in seclusion since the unfortunate event. Last week, executive vice president of Stweart-Hass Racing Brett Frood maintained that his ward was "grieving... It will be up to Tony when he's ready to get back in the car."

NASCAR, for its part, has mandated a new regulation that formalizes procedure for drivers involved in a mishap or who are unable to mobilize their vehicles forward. According to the said rule, drivers are now required to remain strapped inside their cars in the event of an accident, unless they sense immediate danger inside their vehicle such as a fire of other hazards. The drivers would have to wait for safety crews to assist and escort them out of their vehicle and no racer is allowed to walk in the racing area.

Also last week, NASCAR implemented a new rule formalizing procedure for drivers who are involved in accidents or who are unable to make forward progress in their cars. Drivers now are required to remain strapped in their cars -- unless they are in immediate danger from fire or another hazard -- until safety crews arrive and can escort them from the scene. No driver is allowed to walk onto the racing surface.