Tim Steele (racing driver)

Last updated

Tim Steele
Nationality Flag of the United States.svg 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, 1997 ARCA 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 race 1994 Miller Genuine Draft 400 (Michigan)
Last race 1994 DieHard 500 (Talladega)
WinsTop tens Poles
000
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
10 races run over 3 years
Best finish46th (1997)
First race 1993 Detroit Gasket 200 (Michigan)
Last race 1997 Birmingham Auto Dealers 500K (Talladega)
WinsTop tens Poles
020
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
13 races run over 1 year
Best finish25th (1999)
First race 1999 Florida Dodge Dealers 400 (Homestead)
Last race 1999 Kroger 225 (Louisville)
WinsTop tens Poles
011
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]

Contents

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 Tim Steele Pocono ARCA June 1996.jpeg
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, Steele 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
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132NWCCPtsRef
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 52nd233 [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
YearTeamNo.Make12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031NBSCPtsRef
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 77th146 [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 101st52 [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 46th736 [19]

Craftsman Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
YearTeamNo.Make12345678910111213141516171819202122232425NCTCPtsRef
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 25th1385 [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
YearTeamNo.Make12345678910111213141516171819202122232425ARMCPtsRef
1993 Steele Racing 16 Ford DAY
25		 TAL
1*		 POC
8		 MCH
3*		 POC
1*		 ATL
41		1st5070 [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*		24th1240 [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		12th3440 [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*		1st6980 [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 1st5810 [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 138th75 [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		3rd4665 [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		9th4300 [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		70th430 [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 76th350 [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 174th65 [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 53rd655 [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 121st145 [33]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Steele's racing statistics". RacingReference.info. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "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. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 3 4 "ARCAracing.com Asks, 'Where Are They Now?'; Like Dad, Like Daughter, a Steele Family Tradition". ARCA. November 24, 2009. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "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. 1 2 "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 Bondo/Mar-Hyde 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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