Speedweek crash claims life of driver Chris Raschke on Bonneville Salt Flats
The annual Speed Week event at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah was marred by tragedy on August 3, 2025, when veteran racer Chris Raschke lost his life during a speed record attempt.
Raschke, a 60-year-old driver, was piloting the third iteration of the Speed Demon streamliner when he crashed near the 2.5-mile mark. The incident occurred at approximately 3:03 p.m. Mountain Time.
Medical professionals treated Raschke at the scene, but he succumbed to his injuries later that day. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the Tooele County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) that is hosting the event.
The Speed Demon team, which Raschke was a part of, has asked for respect for his family, friends, and the team. In a statement, they claimed to have created the world's fastest piston-powered car, with a winning mile-speed of 446.716 mph at last year's Speed Week and an exit speed of 459.734 mph.
The Speed Demon team had also won a 12th Hot Rod Magazine Trophy last year at the event. Around 500 hot rods, roadsters, and motorcycles attend Speed Week each year.
Racing briefly suspended after the crash but resumed soon after, honouring Raschke’s legacy and acknowledging the risks inherent in high-speed land racing. The investigation is ongoing with no conclusive findings yet; officials continue to explore mechanical, roadway, and other possible causes of the fatal crash.
CNN Sports contacted the Tooele County Sheriff's Office regarding Chris Raschke's death, and CNN's Ann O'Neill contributed to this report.
[1] CNN Sports, "Investigation underway after fatal crash at Bonneville Salt Flats," August 3, 2025. [2] Tooele County Sheriff's Office, "Press release: Fatal crash at Bonneville Salt Flats," August 3, 2025. [3] Speed Demon team, "Statement regarding Chris Raschke's death," August 3, 2025. [4] Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), "Incident report: Chris Raschke's crash at Bonneville Salt Flats," August 3, 2025.
- Despite the tragic incident that occurred during the Speed Week event at the Bonneville Salt Flats, auto-racing resumed shortly after, honoring the legacy of veteran racer Chris Raschke.
- The Speed Demon team, which lost Chris Raschke in a racing accident, is known for their success in sports such as auto-racing, having created the world's fastest piston-powered car and winning numerous awards, including a Hot Rod Magazine Trophy.
