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Tim Steele (racing driver)

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Tim Steele
NationalityUnited States American
Born(1968-03-01)March 1, 1968
Coopersville, Michigan, U.S.
DiedJanuary 7, 2024(2024-01-07) (aged 55)
Retired2007
Automobile Racing Club of America
Years active1992–2006
Starts146
Wins41
Poles31
Best finish1st in 1993, 1996, 1997
Championship titles
1993, 1996, 1997ARCA Re/Max Series
NAMRA Champ Car division
Awards
2009

1993		Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame
ARCA Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Cup Series career
5 races run over 1 year
Best finish52nd (1994)
First race1994 Miller Genuine Draft 400 (Michigan)
Last race1994 DieHard 500 (Talladega)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
10 races run over 3 years
Best finish46th (1997)
First race1993 Detroit Gasket 200 (Michigan)
Last race1997 Birmingham Auto Dealers 500K (Talladega)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 2 0
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
13 races run over 1 year
Best finish25th (1999)
First race1999 Florida Dodge Dealers 400 (Homestead)
Last race1999 Kroger 225 (Louisville)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 1 1
Statistics current as of July 24, 2012.

Tim Steele (March 1, 1968 – January 7, 2024) was an American stock car racing driver.[1] He won three ARCA Re/Max Series national championships and raced in NASCAR's highest three series.[2] He was inducted in the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.[2]

Background

Steele was born in Coopersville, Michigan on March 1, 1968, and began racing as a 5-year-old in motorcycle ice racing.[2] He finished second in Michigan's 125cc AMA motocross division.[2] In 1984, the 16-year-old won the NAMRA Champ Cars division championship and was the division's Rookie of the Year; he also raced in International Jet Ski Racing events that season.[2] He continued to move up the ladder and began racing late models at Berlin Raceway.[2] He began racing on regional touring series, winning in the American Speed Association in 1990 and the NASCAR All Pro Series in 1992.[2]

Steele died on January 7, 2024 at age 55.[3]

ARCA career

Steele's 1996 ARCA car at Pocono Raceway

Steele started out in the 1993 Season driving for Harold Steele's HS Die Team.[4] It was a very successful year. He went on to win the Championship that year and earned the Rookie of the Year award.[2][5] He went on and continued to win races also winning the championship in 1996 and 1997. Steele won 12 times in 1997, the most wins in the series since 1973.[2]

In November 1997 he was involved in a serious accident in which he suffered a brain injury. At the time he was planning on moving up to the Winston Cup Series to try and contend for rookie of the year.[5] He was ten days away from signing up with a team to be owned by his father Harold and Green Bay Packers Quarterback Brett Favre, who were planning to purchase Bud Moore Engineering.[4] The accident damaged his brain; doctors told him he could not handle another trauma.[6] Much of 1998 he spent going from doctor to doctor to see if a comeback was possible.[5] He battled a dependency on the prescription drug Oxycontin which he was taking for headaches.[7] Finally in June 1998, Steele made his comeback to the ARCA series at Pocono; he won the race and went on to race in five more races that year winning three of them.[8] In 1999, Stele only competed in one race at Talladega finishing 34th after a crash.[9]

In 2000 Steele made a full-time comeback to the series. He won three races and accumulated 14 top ten finishes and finished third in the final points standings.[10] In 2001, Steele won four races and finished ninth in the final points standings.[11]

The next five years were not as successful as he only competed in 16 races and earned only 3 top 5 finishes.[1] In 2007, after a late model crash at Toledo Speedway, Steele decided it was time to stop racing.[5]

Between 1993 and 2006, Steele had attempted 146 races, winning 41, which equates to victories in 28% of all the races he entered.[6] Steele's 24 victories is ARCA's all-time Superspeedway winner, including nine at Pocono Raceway. He recorded 86 top-five finishes, 101 top-10s and led 5,423 laps.[6] That means that Steele led laps in 64% of every race he entered.[6] He also won 31 career pole awards.[4] He was the first ARCA driver to make over US$1,000,000 in his career, surpassing Bobby Bowsher's previous record of US$952,535 in 1998.[12]

Other series

Winston Cup

In 1994, Steele competed in five Winston Cup Series races in a car owned by Bobby Allison only managing a best finish of 33rd at Pocono.[1] He attempted to qualify for the inaugural Brickyard 400 but failed.[1]

Busch Grand National

In 1993, he competed in two Busch Grand National Series races at Michigan and Richmond for NASCAR driver Davey Allison's team. Both races ended with Did Not Finishes (DNFs). In 1994, Tim competed in one race at Michigan for his father's team; it ended in another DNF. In 1997, he competed in seven races for James Finch. This time he managed to accumulate two top tens and one top five finish and an overall average finish of 19.9. This would be the last year he would compete in the series.[1]

Craftsman Truck Series

In 1999, Steele competed in 13 Craftsman Truck Series races in a truck once again owned by his father. He accumulated 1 top ten finish and led 45 laps. He averaged a 19th-place finish and finished 25th overall in the standings.[1]

Winston West

In 1996 and 1998, Steele competed in two Winston West Series races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, scoring a top five and leading 15 laps.[1]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Winston Cup Series

NASCAR Winston Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 NWCC Pts Ref
1994 Bobby Allison Motorsports 12 Ford DAY CAR RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL SON CLT DOV POC MCH
39 		DAY
43 		NHA
41 		POC
33 		TAL
38 		IND
DNQ 		GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO ATL 52nd 233 [13]
1995 H.S. Die Racing Team 02 Ford DAY CAR RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL SON CLT DOV POC MCH DAY NHA POC TAL IND GLN MCH
DNQ 		BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO ATL NA – [14]
1997 H.S. Die Racing Team 61 Ford DAY CAR RCH ATL DAR TEX BRI MAR SON TAL CLT DOV POC MCH CAL DAY NHA POC IND
DNQ 		GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV MAR CLT TAL CAR PHO ATL NA – [15]

Busch Series

NASCAR Busch Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 NBSC Pts Ref
1992 Chevy DAY CAR RCH ATL MAR DAR BRI HCY LAN DUB NZH CLT DOV ROU MYB GLN VOL NHA TAL IRP ROU MCH NHA BRI DAR RCH DOV CLT
DNQ 		MAR CAR HCY NA – [16]
1993 Allison Racing 28 Ford DAY CAR RCH DAR BRI HCY ROU MAR NZH CLT DOV MYB GLN MLW TAL IRP MCH
29 		NHA BRI DAR RCH
31 		DOV ROU CLT
DNQ 		MAR CAR HCY ATL 77th 146 [17]
1994 H.S. Die Racing Team 86 Ford DAY
DNQ 		CAR RCH ATL
DNQ 		MAR DAR HCY BRI ROU NHA NZH
DNQ 		CLT DOV MYB GLN MLW SBO TAL HCY IRP MCH
37 		BRI DAR RCH DOV CLT MAR CAR 101st 52 [18]
1997 Phoenix Racing 4 Chevy DAY CAR RCH ATL LVS
5 		DAR
37 		HCY
25 		TEX
21 		BRI
19 		NSV
26 		TAL
6 		NHA NZH CLT DOV SBO GLN MLW MYB GTY IRP MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV CLT CAL CAR HOM 46th 736 [19]

Craftsman Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 NCTC Pts Ref
1999 Steele Racing 21 Ford HOM
25 		PHO
22 		EVG MMR MAR
23 		MEM
17 		PPR
13 		I70
30 		BRI TEX PIR GLN MLW
14 		NSV
9 		NZH MCH
14 		NHA IRP
14 		GTY
19 		HPT RCH
21 		LVS LVL
26 		TEX CAL 25th 1385 [20]

ARCA Re/Max Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Re/Max Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 ARMC Pts Ref
1993 Steele Racing 16 Ford DAY
25 		TAL
1* 		POC
8 		MCH
3* 		POC
1* 		ATL
41 		1st 5070 [21]
Olds FIF
22* 		TWS
3 		KIL
5 		CMS
2 		FRS
13 		TOL
12 		FRS
11 		KIL
2 		ISF
2 		DSF
3 		TOL
4 		SLM
20* 		WIN
1*
1994 Ford DAY
2 		TAL
36 		FIF LVL KIL TOL FRS MCH
37 		DMS POC
1* 		POC
9 		KIL FRS INF I70 ISF DSF TOL SLM WIN ATL
15* 		24th 1240 [22]
1995 DAY
42 		ATL
30 		TAL
41 		FIF KIL FRS MCH
2* 		I80
23 		FRS
6 		POC
3 		POC
2 		FRS
2 		LVL
4 		ISF DSF
3 		SLM
1* 		WIN
1* 		ATL
1 		12th 3440 [23]
Chevy MCS
24 		KIL
25 		SBS
25
1996 Ford DAY
2 		ATL
1* 		SLM
6 		TAL
1* 		FIF
3 		LVL
4* 		CLT
1* 		CLT
1* 		KIL
1 		FRS
4 		POC
2* 		MCH
7 		FRS
1* 		TOL
16* 		POC
1* 		MCH
1* 		INF
26 		SBS
8 		ISF
1 		DSF
2 		KIL
8 		SLM
1* 		WIN
14* 		CLT
1* 		ATL
6* 		1st 6980 [24]
1997 DAY
38 		ATL
1* 		SLM
1* 		CLT
34 		CLT
37 		POC
1* 		MCH
1 		SBS
1 		TOL
8 		KIL
6 		FRS
1* 		MIN
3* 		POC
1* 		MCH
3* 		DSF
17 		GTW
2* 		SLM
1* 		WIN
1* 		CLT
1* 		TAL
1 		ISF
1* 		ATL 1st 5810 [25]
1998 DAY ATL SLM CLT MEM MCH POC
1* 		SBS TOL
2* 		PPR
1* 		POC
1* 		KIL FRS ISF ATL
30* 		DSF SLM TEX WIN
DNQ 		CLT TAL
1* 		ATL NA – [8]
1999 DAY ATL SLM AND CLT MCH POC TOL SBS BLN POC KIL FRS FLM ISF WIN DSF SLM CLT TAL
34 		ATL 138th 75 [26]
2000 DAY SLM
3 		AND
13 		CLT
3 		KIL
2 		FRS
18 		MCH
1* 		POC
6 		TOL
2 		KEN
1* 		BLN
1* 		POC
4 		WIN
13 		ISF
7 		KEN
2 		DSF
21 		SLM
2 		CLT
10 		TAL
2 		ATL
29 		3rd 4665 [27]
2001 DAY
25 		NSH
7 		WIN
1 		SLM
2 		GTY
3 		KEN
2 		CLT
3 		KAN
3 		MCH
9 		POC
1* 		MEM
14 		GLN KEN MCH
3 		POC
1 		NSH ISF CHI
3 		DSF SLM TOL BLN
1* 		CLT
5 		TAL ATL
5 		9th 4300 [28]
2002 DAY ATL
32 		NSH SLM KEN
38 		CLT KAN POC MCH
12 		TOL SBO KEN BLN
29 		POC NSH ISF WIN DSF CHI SLM TAL CLT
40 		70th 430 [29]
2003 Dodge DAY
35 		ATL
35 		NSH
39 		SLM TOL KEN CLT BLN KAN MCH
5 		LER POC POC NSH ISF WIN DSF CHI SLM TAL CLT SBO 76th 350 [30]
2004 DAY NSH SLM KEN TOL CLT KAN POC MCH SBO BLN KEN GTW POC LER NSH ISF TOL DSF CHI
34 		SLM TAL 174th 65 [31]
2005 Lee Leslie 44 Ford DAY
29 		NSH SLM KEN TOL LAN MIL POC MCH
30 		KAN KEN BLN
3 		POC GTW LER NSH MCH ISF TOL DSF CHI
5 		SLM
32 		TAL 53rd 655 [32]
2006 Brack Maggard 65 Chevy DAY NSH SLM WIN KEN TOL POC MCH KAN KEN BLN
17 		POC GTW NSH MCH ISF MIL TOL DSF CHI SLM TAL IOW 121st 145 [33]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Steele's racing statistics". RacingReference.info. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Tim Steele". Michigan Motorsport Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 10, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
    "Steele, Tim 2009". Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  3. ^ Kristl, Mark (January 7, 2024). "3-Time ARCA Champion Tim Steele Dead at 55". Frontstretch. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "3-Time ARCA RE/MAX Series Champion Tim Steele Retires". Racing Nation. June 27, 2007. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d "ARCAracing.com Asks, 'Where Are They Now?'; Like Dad, Like Daughter, a Steele Family Tradition". ARCA. November 24, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d "3-time ARCA Champion Tim Steele retires". Auto Racing Sport. June 28, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  7. ^ Ashenfelter, Mark. "ARCA's Steele Admits Drug Problem, Returns After Fighting Addiction". October 21, 2002. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  8. ^ a b "Tim Steele – 1998 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  9. ^ "1999 ARCA Statistics". Racing Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  10. ^ "2000 ARCA Statistics". Racing Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  11. ^ "2001 ARCA Statistics". Racing Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  12. ^ "Tim Steele ARCA's First Million Dollar Driver". January 26, 1999. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  13. ^ "Tim Steele – 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  14. ^ "Tim Steele – 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  15. ^ "Tim Steele – 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  16. ^ "Tim Steele – 1992 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  17. ^ "Tim Steele – 1993 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  18. ^ "Tim Steele – 1994 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  19. ^ "Tim Steele – 1997 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  20. ^ "Tim Steele – 1999 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  21. ^ "Tim Steele – 1993 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  22. ^ "Tim Steele – 1994 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  23. ^ "Tim Steele – 1995 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  24. ^ "Tim Steele – 1996 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  25. ^ "Tim Steele – 1997 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  26. ^ "Tim Steele – 1999 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  27. ^ "Tim Steele – 2000 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  28. ^ "Tim Steele – 2001 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  29. ^ "Tim Steele – 2002 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  30. ^ "Tim Steele – 2003 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  31. ^ "Tim Steele – 2004 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  32. ^ "Tim Steele – 2005 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  33. ^ "Tim Steele – 2006 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
Sporting positions
Preceded by ARCA Series champion
1993 		Succeeded by
Preceded by ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series champion
1996–1997 		Succeeded by
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