Calling him “one of my honest-to-God heroes,” American Drag Racing League (ADRL) President Kenny Nowling vowed to honor
the memory of race driver Steve Engel, 49, who died Sep. 14, at
Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Engel succumbed to complications
from severe back injuries sustained in a high-speed crash Aug. 30,
while competing in an NHRA Pro Modified race at O’Reilly Raceway Park
in Clermont, Indiana.
“Any time we lose a member of the drag racing community it’s very
difficult; however, this is especially tough since Steve was not only a
member of and competitor with the ADRL, but also someone I had known
for several years and considered a personal friend,” Nowling said.
Engel last raced with the ADRL in August 2007, at Norwalk, Ohio, in the
eighth-mile series’ Pro Extreme class. “My heart goes out to Steve’s
wife, Tonya, and his young sons, Stevie and Michael, at this obviously
difficult time.”