David MacFarland Steele

Dave Steele, a Tampa native who gained national prominence as a championship race driver, died Saturday, March 25, of injuries sustained in a crash. Born David MacFarland Steele on May 7, 1974, to Mac and Carol Steele of Tampa, Dave was a two-time national champion in the United States Auto Club (USAC) Silver Crown series, winning consecutive titles in 2004-05. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife Lynn Bunn Steele, and their three children, daughters Bailey and Claire and son Brody. He also leaves a sister, Shelly Lankford (Paul), a nephew, Chase Noriega, and constant companion, Murphy, his beloved dog. Dave was a graduate of Hillsborough High School and Hillsborough Community College. Early employment with his dad’s business, Autocraft, as well as countless hours working with Mac preparing the family Sprint Car, proved an ideal apprenticeship for what became a spectacular career. Steele’s 60 national USAC victories (26 in Sprint Cars, 18 in Midgets, and 16 in Silver Crown) place him 14th on the all-time win list in that organization’s 62-year history. Among his notable USAC accomplishments were eight victories in the “Copper World Classic” at Phoenix International Raceway, two scores in the “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at California’s Irwindale Speedway, and a “Night Before the 500” win at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Closer to home, Dave was a three-time champion of the Tampa Bay Auto Racing Association and the 2016 Southern Sprintcar Shootout Series champion and had just achieved his 100th sprint car win in Florida. Intensely proud of his roots, he delighted in having continued Florida’s winning heritage in the renowned “Little 500” at Indiana’s Anderson Speedway, winning the event in 1996 and 2009. Steele also made a number of starts in NASCAR, IndyCar, and ARCA competition. Visitation services will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 31, at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Ave., Tampa. Visitation service from 9 to 11 a.m. and memorial at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 1st at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran, 304 Druid Hills Rd., Temple Terrace. Burial to follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the animal shelter of one’s choosing.