This shocking footage captures the moment that David Steele died at Desoto Speedway in Bradentown, Fla. — crashing his open-wheeled vehicle into the wall during a bid to win his 100th race in the Sunshine State!
Fan footage from March 25 captured the sudden horrific accident from the speedway’s stands, showing the left front wheel of Steele’s racecar striking the right rear wheel of another car.
The impact sent Steele’s vehicle into the air, spinning 180 degrees before hitting the retaining wall. Medics attempted to treat Steele before pronouncing him dead at the scene. He was 42.
“It’s hard to put the loss of Dave Steele into words,” said an official statement from United States Auto Club series director Levi Jones. “He was a once-in-a-lifetime talent on the track, but even more impressive was the man, the dad and husband he was. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
Steele’s USAC legacy places him in the sport’s all-time top 15 for races won, including a two-year reign as its champion in 2004-05. Among the many tributes that followed news of his death, NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne declared: “One of the best — and such a good guy to hang out and have a beer with.”
