When TJ Steele made his dirt late model debut two years ago, it didn’t go as planned. However, since then, he’s learned and grown, thanks to some valuable mentors. This Saturday, October 18, he’ll seek to apply those lessons as he takes on the Dirt Rich TV American All-Star Series Presented by PPM Racing Products at I-75 Raceway.
Steele raced in go-karts as a kid. He also was a star high school quarterback. However, he always wanted to compete in late models. Two years ago, Steele finally took the plunge, buying a 2007 GRT. His debut didn’t go as planned — he wrecked it in his first race. Fellow competitor Kenney Hall and his son, Kasey Hall, saw him struggling.
“I told [Kenney,] ‘Look, I don’t know what I’m doing,’” Steele, of Boaz, Alabama, said. “[I said,] ‘I need to learn and the only way I can learn is be hands on.’”
He crewed for Hall for three months.
“After working with him, I had more of an understanding,” said Steele. “I was able to work on my car and it took off after that.”
Steele then upgraded his car to a 2021 Black Diamond. After that, TJ Steele started to become more comfortable in the race car and his results have steadily improved.
He finished 14th in his American All-Star Series debut in August at Lake Cumberland Speedway. Steele followed that up with an 11th the next weekend at Sugar Creek Raceway.
Now, Steele looks to improve on his record when the Dirt Rich TV American All-Star Series Presented by PPM Racing Products rolls into town at I-75 Raceway on Saturday, October 18.
“When I [first] showed up at the track, nobody even talked to me,” Steele said. “When [Kenney] saw that I was willing to show up and work, and not put my hand out, [he saw] I was committed. He started putting time in and teaching me, too. It’s helped me grow. He taught me a lot. If it wasn’t for [the Halls], I don’t think I would have made it very far in this sport.”
Outside Groove Note of Transparency: Outside Groove is a sponsor of the American All-Star Series. The American All-Star Series paid for the production of this article. The content is not subject to the approval of the American All-Star Series.
The Outside Groove Executive Editor has covered motorsports since 2000. His many awards include the 2019 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Jim Hunter Writer of the Year and the 2013 Russ Catlin Award for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism.
