Steele gets victory in comeback

Web posted June 21, 1998

Associated Press

LONG POND, Pa. -- Three-time ARCA champion Tim Steele looked like he'd never been away from the track when he returned Saturday from a lengthy injury layoff to win the Mountain Dew 400k at Pocono International Raceway.

Steele, who sustained a severe concussion in an accident while testing a Winston Cup car for Bud Moore last October at Atlanta Motor Speedway, won for the fourth straight time and sixth overall at Pocono International Raceway.

``I was just praying to God that I didn't have to close one eye because of the double vision,'' Steele said, alluding to one of the past residuals of his injury. ``I went to six doctors before I found one who didn't say I had to find a new career.''

But he had to convince his father, car owner Harold Steele, to permit him to drive after a second cousin was killed last week in an auto accident.

``My dad came by and said, `I've been to one funeral, and I'm not going to another one. We're not going to run,''' Steele said. ``It was almost where I was going to steal everything from the shop.''

His return came six months before even the most optimistic medical assessments said he could drive. Steele said his memory was affected from the time of the accident until just a few months ago.

``But you always have to keep a positive outlook,'' he said. ``It was just another one of the bumps in the road for me.

``You never say die. You never give up.''

Steele now has a problem with kidney stones, one he says will abate.

``It's the worst pain you've ever felt in your life,'' he said. ``I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.''

Steele said he has no plans beyond Pocono.

``There's been people calling me and asking me to drive their car,'' he said. ``I'm sorry I didn't call some of them back. But there still might be some open doors there.''

The victory tied Steele with Bob Schacht for the most in the history of the track.

It was the 31st career victory for Steele, whose 12 last year were the most in ARCA since 1962. It was his 18th superspeedway win, the most in the circuit's 46 years.

Steele started second, and led three times for 75 laps. He took the point for the final time the 73rd of 100 trips around the 2 1/2 -mile track, and was not threatened thereafter.

Steele averaged 118.664 in his Chevrolet, beating Frank Kimmel in a race that ended under caution. Kirk Shelmerdine was third, followed by Jeff Finley and Bobby Hamilton Jr. in a sweep of the top five positions by Chevys.

The race was slowed six times by 16 laps of caution. There were 10 lead changes among seven drivers.

Steele earned $19,020 from a purse totaling $145,630.