Steve Engel

[animal jim]

I first heard about Steve's crash right after it happend. Chris McMahan who was working the Indy race for NHRA called me on cell phone describing it to me as he was on way down track to the accident. I could hear the chopper.

What really irks me is the Sports Section of the Peoria , IL. paper called Steve a "Sportsman Racer" Instead of explaining he was a double throwdown professional Pro Mod racer running with the JEG"S special Pro Modified feature program. I do not blame the Peoria paper so much-because I'm sure that is the way the NHRA press release read and the PJS sports writer not knowing the sport well just copied what NHRA sent.

NHRA Comp Eliminator does have Pro Modified listed as a class. Why I have no f-cking idea! Pro Modified is a f-cking professional catagory!!!!

If I am not mistaken. I think Steve Engel was the last guy Bill Kuhlmann ran on his last ride

[Pappy1]

R.I.P.

[super stock]

RIP Steve Engel ------ Bradenton Motorsports Park-Super Stock- Bob

http://www.promodzone.com/

[draglist]

It does bother me, too. Hard for me to admit this as the guy who runs this site, but I frankly didn't know that much about Steve, or any of the other racers who work their hearts out to run 5.9s and 6.0s at NHRA events. The papers would have been all over a Pro Stock driver from that series. The NHRA vs. Pro Mod PR fight has been going on for a long time by folks who have more of a vested interest in it than me. But I did feel a little sadder by losing Steve and not knowing much about him when he was an active hard charger. bp

[F/C Girl]

I can relate. We're the 2nd fastest class in the NHRA and many times are the red headed step child at events. More often than not, you'll find more pro's and crew chiefs at the line when we run than any other class. Hmmm.......

RIP Steve

[Big Erik]

I well agree with AJ......the pro mods are every bit a professional class!!.anyone who runs one of these or has run one is a pro in my book!!......and Steve was not a "class filler" either not that that makes any difference a man lost his life racing .but anyway Steve won Bristol this year if I recall right.and he ran all the series NHRA IHRA and ADRL.........I think NHRA is missing the boat with these guys they do them like they do the alky guys....run em at the worst part of the 'show".I';d much rather see a full field of pro mods running mid 5's and a full field of BB/FC's(they are still BB cars to me) revving them up and shifting and DRIVING them.than i would a soft field of nitro cars.......as a whole the fuel classes have lost thier identity......no one has a name on their car any more.and it costs sooo much to do it no one can........okay sorry for the rant ........GODSPEED STEVE!! ERIK

[Mr. Jean]

R.I.P. Steve.

[Andamo]

The news of Steve's passing when I read about it Monday morning was such a shock to me. I hadn't heard much of his condition and progress, but the last I had heard, it was all positive, but a lengthy rehab was in store for him. My condolences go out to his wife Tonya and his 2 children, plus his family and friends. In my mind this isn't what was supposed to happen. God speed Steve.

[Jim Kalb]

Very sad.

[Zappy]

Very sad indeed. Maybe, just maybe, they will get rid of those dang track side cement walls???