1954
Steven
2013
Steven Wayne Eppard
June 8, 1954 — March 2, 2013
Steven Wayne Eppard, 58, passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2013. He was born on June 8, 1954 in Bettendorf, Iowa. He was a longtime resident of Indianapolis, Indiana.
He is survived by his daughter, Stevye Eppard, father, Wayne Eppard, two brothers and their spouses, Larry and Diana Eppard and Doug and Jackie Eppard. Nephews, Lincoln Eppard, Jack Eppard Nieces, Elizabeth Sumpter, Stephanie Eppard, Bailey Eppard, Lily Eppard, Great Nephews, Cade Sumpter, Trevor Sumpter and aunts, uncles and other loving relatives.
Steve graduated from Bettendorf High School in 1972. He began racing in go-karts in the 60's and moved to a position with John Mahler's Formula 5000 racecar in Bettendorf. After a brief period at Caterpillar and Kohler, he reentered racing for Jeff Miller's D Sport Racing, winning Atlanta Runoff titles in 1976-77-81 and C Sports racing in 1978. After working with Steve Shelton's Formula Atlantic Team, he joined the Nissan Factory team in 1989 and proceeded to win 4 IMSA GT team national championships from 1989-92 with Geoff Brabham winning three as the driver. He was the gearbox mechanic for Arie Lyendyk's Indy 500 qualifying lap record of 237.498 mph, which still stands today. After stints with Jim Hall and Treadway Racing and other Indy teams where he continued to hone his craft, the IRL was formed and Steve started his own business, the SWE Racing Transmissions and Components, developing gear boxes to reduce driver injuries during crashes. He was one of the most respected gearbox technicians at that time. He went on to own an Indy Pro Series race team and continued to be involved in racing. His daughter, Stevye, age 11, is currently racing go-karts.
Steve's love of racing and development of innovations for the racing industry will be his legacy. A memorial service will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Brickyard Crossing 4400 W 16th St Indianapolis, IN 46222 on Friday April 12 from 4 -6 pm.
Memorial donations can be made to the Steve Eppard Benefit Memorial Fund. The fund has been established to provide a trust for Steve's daughter, Stevye. Please send donations to Wells Fargo Bank, 5880 Merle Hay Rd. Johnston, IA 50131.
Arrangements entrusted to ARN Cremation Services.
He is survived by his daughter, Stevye Eppard, father, Wayne Eppard, two brothers and their spouses, Larry and Diana Eppard and Doug and Jackie Eppard. Nephews, Lincoln Eppard, Jack Eppard Nieces, Elizabeth Sumpter, Stephanie Eppard, Bailey Eppard, Lily Eppard, Great Nephews, Cade Sumpter, Trevor Sumpter and aunts, uncles and other loving relatives.
Steve graduated from Bettendorf High School in 1972. He began racing in go-karts in the 60's and moved to a position with John Mahler's Formula 5000 racecar in Bettendorf. After a brief period at Caterpillar and Kohler, he reentered racing for Jeff Miller's D Sport Racing, winning Atlanta Runoff titles in 1976-77-81 and C Sports racing in 1978. After working with Steve Shelton's Formula Atlantic Team, he joined the Nissan Factory team in 1989 and proceeded to win 4 IMSA GT team national championships from 1989-92 with Geoff Brabham winning three as the driver. He was the gearbox mechanic for Arie Lyendyk's Indy 500 qualifying lap record of 237.498 mph, which still stands today. After stints with Jim Hall and Treadway Racing and other Indy teams where he continued to hone his craft, the IRL was formed and Steve started his own business, the SWE Racing Transmissions and Components, developing gear boxes to reduce driver injuries during crashes. He was one of the most respected gearbox technicians at that time. He went on to own an Indy Pro Series race team and continued to be involved in racing. His daughter, Stevye, age 11, is currently racing go-karts.
Steve's love of racing and development of innovations for the racing industry will be his legacy. A memorial service will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Brickyard Crossing 4400 W 16th St Indianapolis, IN 46222 on Friday April 12 from 4 -6 pm.
Memorial donations can be made to the Steve Eppard Benefit Memorial Fund. The fund has been established to provide a trust for Steve's daughter, Stevye. Please send donations to Wells Fargo Bank, 5880 Merle Hay Rd. Johnston, IA 50131.
Arrangements entrusted to ARN Cremation Services.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Steven Wayne Eppard, please visit our flower store.
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