Tim Steele, a three-time ARCA Menards Series champion, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
His daughter posted on her Facebook account, “This morning, my dad peacefully took the checkered flag here on earth 🏁 His life was an exhilarating ride, always at full throttle, driven by a passion for racing and a wild spirit. While many knew him for his accomplishments on the racetrack, his role as a dad and grandpa was by far the greatest victory! God Speed Dad, I love you!! ❤️”
Steele won the 1993, 1996, and 1997 ARCA titles. He accrued 41 wins, 86 top fives, 101 top 10s, and led 5,453 laps in his 147-race ARCA career.
The Coopersville, Mich. native competed in all three NASCAR national series, logging five NASCAR Cup Series starts, 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, and 13 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts.
Steele suffered a brain injury in a racing accident late during the 1997 ARCA season. He missed the season finale at Atlanta Motor Speedway, though he still captured the championship. The injury forced him out of his intended Cup Rookie of the Year run in 1998.
In June 1998, Steele returned to ARCA to win at Pocono Raceway. He won four times in his six-race return to the series, including back-to-back wins at Pikes Peak International Raceway and the second Pocono event.
After winning four times in 2001 en route to a ninth-place finish in the points, Steele ran sporadically for the rest of his career.
Steele ranks second all-time in both ARCA championships and victories, trailing only Frank Kimmel in both categories.
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