Steven King loses life in Knoxville

Steve King Succumbs to Knoxville Injuries

TULSA, Okla. (August 12, 2006) -- On Thursday afternoon, Jetmore, KS, Sprint Car racer Steve King succumbed to injuries suffered in the previous night's opening round of the Knoxville Nationals at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, IA.

A two-time NCRA champion, King was a frequent competitor in American Sprint Car Series competition as well. In addition to his 17 career NCRA feature wins, King posted an ASCS Rocky Mountain Region feature win at Dodge City Raceway Park on September 4, 2004.

During Wednesday night's feature, King crashed into the turn three retaining wall during the latter stages of the "A' Feature event when something apparently broke on his car. King was transported to a local hospital before being flown to Des Moines, where he passed away on Thursday.

Thirty-three years old, the fourth-generation farmer with a degree in Animal Science from Kansas State University has been involved in the family's racing pursuits since his days as a young child. Just six years old in 1979, Steve assisted his father and car owner Danny King in wrenching Dave Frusher to a hotly contested NCRA Super Modified championship.

In style appropriate of a champion racer, King saw his final checkered flag in record-setting fashion, as he won Wednesday night's opening heat race with a new Knoxville Raceway track record time of just two minutes and 39 seconds.

Funeral arrangements for King are still pending at this time.

The entire staff and family of the American Sprint Car Series is saddened at the loss of Steve King and extends deepest sympathies to family, friends and loved ones.

R.I.P. Steve King.

-credit: ascs

Note: Memorial Services:

Celebrating Steve King's Life

We will gather to celebrate Steve's life:
Monday, August 14th
2 p.m.
United Methodist Church
204 E. Highway Street
Jetmore, KS

Burial will immediately follow at Fairmont Cemetery in Jetmore. Casual attire, including racing t-shirts, are welcome.

Friends and family may gather at the King Center on Main Street in Jetmore following burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Steve King Memorial.

Contributions can be sent c/o Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663, Jetmore, KS 67854.

-credit: TB Communications