Kyle Steffens: A rotation of race cars

Kyle Steffens: “The biggest thing was, I really couldn’t make up my mind”

Growing up in St. Louis, I’ve seen Kyle Steffens driving a wide range of race cars. He’s been in late models, midgets, modifieds and more.

In recent years, Kyle Steffens has found a home in the dirt modified division. He currently drives the #8 car. It’s a car that he owns himself.

“My father and I started this team about 4 years ago,” Kyle Steffens told RacingNews.co. “I started it on my own then my dad jumped on-board. I also have 30-40 sponsors that help out.”

Why is it that you were jumping around in years past?

“The biggest thing was, I really couldn’t make up my mind,” Kyle Steffens tells RacingNews.co.

Kyle Steffens 4551
Kyle Steffens and Gordon Steffens

“When I was younger, I wanted to be a sprint car racer. I wanted to be a midget racer. I wanted to be a late model racer. I wanted to do it all. Kinda like Kenny Schrader or somebody like that.”

“I really look up to Tony Stewart, Kenny Schrader and those guys. They can drive anything. I was at Kenny Schrader’s shop and he ran the Little 500 this year, he ran the DuQuoin Mile in a Silver Crown car and he won 20 modified races.”

“That, to me, is cooler than any NASCAR race or F1 race. To be a true racer that can race everything. In my belief — that’s my goal.”

Modified

“As far as now, putting my focus into this has helped a lot,” Kyle Steffens explains. “Just focusing on one discipline. Chassis tech, motor tech, aero tech and all that stuff. You can focus on one thing, instead of 6. It really helps a ton.”

When racing multiple cars, you need to know multiple cars. The aero work on a modified isn’t necessarily going to work on a dirt late model. The chassis tech is also completely different. Putting all the mechanical and design focus into one machine, help Kyle Steffens in his recent modified venture.

Kyle Steffens recently ran the Gateway Dirt Nationals at The Dome. He did it with a loaner motor from Cory Brown. “We have our own motor. It’s lapped out, it’s got 35 nights on it.”

2018

Kyle Steffens Motorsports has yet to setup a 2018 schedule. However, a rough draft exists and a new team website is under construction.

The current plans includes; 10 American Modified Series Races, (Tracks Undecided), Several Local races (Tri City and Pevely), Terre Haute Action Track (Indiana), 5 Summer Nationals Races. (Close to Home), DuQuoin State Fairgrounds (Magic Mile), Summit Modified Mania (Tri City) and the Gateway Dirt Nationals (Saint Louis).

Kyle Steffens Photos

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Related: Nick Hoffman: Making pages in the rulebook

Links

Kyle Steffens | Shane Walters

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