Open-wheel veteran and occasional NASCAR racer Dave Steele was killed Saturday night in an accident at Desoto Speedway in Bradenton, Florida during a sprint car race. The veteran driver out of Tampa was 42 years old.
According to SPEED SPORT, Steele reportedly crashed while driving for position in his winged sprint car, in the Southern Sprintcar Shootout Series event.
The track confirmed Steele’s passing in a Facebook post, writing: “Desoto Speedway owners and staff are saddened by tonights passing of David Steele in the Sprint car feature. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends who were all in attendance, to see him try to win his 100th florida race.”
Steele made three starts in the Indy Racing League in 1998 and had been brought on by Panther Racing as a development driver for the team’s first crack at a two-car effort, then teammate to Scott Goodyear, the last two races of that season. He was entered as a second car for the 1999 Indianapolis 500 but did not qualify. He also drove in the Indy Lights series a few years later in a handful of races.
In USAC though, Steele was regarded as one of the top drivers on the circuit, with a sterling record. As of the end of 2016, he had 26 USAC National Sprint Car wins, 16 Silver Crown wins (third all-time) and 18 National Midget wins, for a total of 60 wins that proved his versatility in USAC’s three primary types of cars, both on pavement and on dirt.
A number of tributes and condolences have already come in on social media. Note the one from Michael Lewis, an up-and-coming sports car driver out of California who’s won races in Pirelli World Challenge, and whose father Steve Lewis was the architect of the old Beast/Pink entries, which Steele used to drive for.
Condolences to the family and many friends of former @IndyCar driver and @USACNation legend Dave Steele. pic.twitter.com/qjeUykhjQX
— IMS Museum 🏁 (@IMSMuseum) March 26, 2017
In addition to his three @IndyCar series starts, Dave Steele drove twice in @IndyLights. pic.twitter.com/nKwQFJAQVl
— IMS Museum 🏁 (@IMSMuseum) March 26, 2017
RIP TO THE GREATEST DRIVER I HAVE EVER KNOWN. DAVE STEELE, YOU ARE FOREVER THE GREATEST IN MY BOOK. I love you 😔 pic.twitter.com/1jHnrLaO8a
— Michael James Lewis (@MJLRacing_) March 26, 2017
Growing up watching USAC there was nobody better than Dave Steele on pavement. Shocking news last night. Thoughts and prayers go out! R.I.P.
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) March 26, 2017
Can't believe we lost Dave Steele last night. Sprint car racing is fun but I'm tired of getting news like this. RIP Steele
— Josh Wise (@Josh_Wise) March 26, 2017
Dave Steele was one of the best I've ever witnessed strap in a race car. Great driver, better person. Terrible loss tonight.
— tjslideways.com (@tjslideways) March 26, 2017
Totally punched in the gut here at Irwindale reading about Dave Steele. Superman was a damn doctor on asphalt. Clinic each & every time.
— Mike Herman, Jr. (@mikehermanjr) March 26, 2017
David Steele carried the dreams of so many of us from the west coast of Florida, and proved hard work, desire, talent will take u places.
— Mike Kelley (@MkelleyJTG) March 26, 2017
Our prayers go out to the family of Dave Steele. Our former teammate, he was one of the best open-wheel drivers of this era. Godspeed - TSR
— Tony Stewart Racing (@TonyStewart_Rcg) March 26, 2017
We at Lucas Oil Raceway want to send our condolences to the family of Dave Steele, winner of the 1998 Night Before the 500.
— Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (@RaceIRP) March 26, 2017
Sprint car driver David Steele killed Saturday night in crash at Desoto Speedway in Bradenton, Florida. He was 42. https://t.co/NxfH83xeGl pic.twitter.com/BsWoSwYjEZ
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) March 26, 2017
RIP Dave Steele pic.twitter.com/0Li5f9vkki
— David Land™❌ (@DLand91) March 26, 2017
Now this is racing. Very few can race like this. Condolences to the family & friends of David Steele. https://t.co/uJawPwd2ep
— PAIN Tour (@PainTour1911) March 26, 2017