---

VETERAN WINGED SPRINT DRIVER DAVID STEELE FATALLY INJURED IN CRASH AT DESOTO SPEEDWAY.

David Steele is remembered by fans of 5 Flags Speedway, he competed here, and won a winged sprint feature here. He is pictured above in the car he drove at 5 Flags in March of 2013.

One of the most successful drivers in the history of open-wheel racing in the state of Florida died in a Sprint Car crash Saturday night at Desoto Speedway in Bradenton, Florida. Dave Steele, 42, was competing... in a Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series race at the 3/8-mile oval when the accident resulting in his death occurred.

According to Speed Sport, the on-track incident occurred when Steele tangled with a lapped car.

Steele was attempting to win his 100th career race in the state of Florida on Saturday night.

Steele’s achievements in racing include 16 USAC Silver Crown victories and back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005. He also recorded six career USAC National Midget Series wins and two victories in the prestigious Little 500 at Anderson Speedway (IN). In 2016, Steele went to victory lane 13 times in 14 Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series starts. His last victory came on February 25, 2017 at 417 Southern Speedway in Florida.

Desoto Speedway confirmed Steele’s death late Saturday night on their Facebook page. The track issued the following statement:

“Desoto Speedway owners and staff are saddened by tonight’s 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 also made starts in the Verizon IndyCar Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series during his racing career.

Story by Speed 51, photo: 5 Flags Speedway

Back to News