TOLEDO, Ohio – David Keith, winner of three ARCA Menards Series races and four pole awards in 1999 and 2000, died Thursday at the age of 46.
Keith went on to race briefly in the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series, but was better known for his long run as a NASCAR Xfinity and Cup and ARCA spotter, working for organizations including Dale Earnhardt Inc., Roush Fenway Racing, Front Row Motorsports, JTG Daugherty and DGR Crosley as well as drivers Paul Menard, David Gilliland, Tyler Ankrum and Chris Buescher.
His ARCA Menards Series victories came in 1999 at Michigan Int’l Speedway driving for Michael Kranefuss Racing, and at Daytona Int’l Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway in 2000 in cars fielded by Earl and Check Sadler.
Keith also won four pole qualifying awards, at Michigan, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Kentucky Speedway.
Originally from Owensboro, Ky., Keith began racing go-karts at the age of 9, winning multiple championships. A successful short track late model driver, his initial connection to ARCA was through his former brother-in-law, 1993 ARCA Rookie of the Year Jeremy Mayfield.