Veteran racer and longtime grassroots racing supporter Chris Raschke died Sunday, August 3, following a crash during Bonneville Speed Week in Utah. Raschke, 60, was piloting the Speed Demon III streamliner when it went airborne at the 2.5-mile mark during a run on Course 1. The vehicle was traveling near 300 mph. Emergency crews responded quickly and airlifted Raschke from the course, but he later succumbed to his injuries.

The Southern California Timing Association confirmed his passing and has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Racing activities were suspended for the day.

Raschke had been a core member of the Speed Demon Racing Team since 1996 and was behind the wheel last year when the team earned the Hot Rod Magazine Trophy with a five-mile average of 446.716 mph. His presence in the driver’s seat this year came after the unexpected death of longtime Speed Demon driver George Poteet in July 2024.

Raschke’s career in motorsports began early. He was the first official employee at Ventura Raceway in the early 1980s, learning the ins and outs of track operations while racing three-wheelers and later mini stocks. He developed his mechanical skills working on TQ midgets and Sprint Cars before joining Duttweiler Performance in 1983, where he learned fabrication and race car prep under the guidance of engine builder Kenny Duttweiler.

His work eventually brought him to ARP in 1996, where he rose to Director of Sales and Marketing. His industry expertise and broad network made him an invaluable asset to both ARP and the Speed Demon program.

Speed Demon Racing has requested privacy for Raschke’s family and team as they grieve the loss of a beloved friend, teammate, and motorsports veteran.