WENDOVER, Utah — A driver attempting to set a land speed record died Sunday after losing control of his vehicle at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Chris Raschke, 60, was driving the Speed Demon when the accident occurred about two and a half miles into his run. Medical personnel treated him at the scene, but he succumbed to his injuries, according to the Southern California Timing Association, which organizes the annual Speed Week event.

The Bonneville Salt Flats, located approximately 100 miles west of Salt Lake City, have been a popular venue for land speed racing for decades. The flat, white surface attracts drivers aiming to break speed records, often exceeding 400 mph. The Speed Week event, which began on Saturday, draws both competitors and spectators from across the country.

Raschke had a long history in motorsports, spanning over 40 years. He began his career at the Ventura Raceway in the early 1980s and later raced three-wheelers and cars in the mini stock division. He gained experience in fabricating and maintaining race cars while working with a well-known engine builder before becoming a driver for the Speed Demon team.

Dennis Sullivan, president of the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association, acknowledged the inherent dangers of motorsports. "Motorsports is inherently a dangerous sport. People get hurt. People get killed. That’s just the nature of the sport. It doesn’t happen a lot," he said. Sullivan noted that safety measures, such as reinforced roll bars and specialized tires, are in place to protect drivers.

The last fatal incident at the salt flats occurred in 2016 when motorcycle racer Sam Wheeler crashed while testing a high-performance bike. The Bonneville Salt Flats, a remnant of a prehistoric lakebed, have been a racing site since 1914. Unlike traditional racetracks, there are no grandstands; spectators must maintain a distance of two-tenths of a mile from the racing vehicles.

The Southern California Timing Association and the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office are investigating Raschke's death. Sgt. Dane Lerdahl, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, stated, "We know it was an accident of some sort."

Keith Pedersen, president of the association and race director for Speed Week, described Raschke as a respected figure in the racing community. He noted that Raschke also worked for a company that manufactures fasteners for race cars. "He is one of the big ones. He had done all sorts of racing," Pedersen said.