Chris Raschke, the well-known face of ARP Fasteners in motorsports and longtime collaborator with land-speed legend George Poteet, died Sunday afternoon during a record attempt at the annual Bonneville SpeedWeek event on the Salt Flats.
Raschke, 60, was piloting the Speed Demon streamliner when he lost control near the 2.5-mile mark of the course at approximately 3:03 p.m. Mountain Time. Medical crews responded immediately but he succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash, the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), which governs the event, confirmed.
The crash is under investigation by both the SCTA and local authorities from Tooele County. Raschke was attempting to set a new land-speed record, a pursuit he had long embraced as driver and engineer for the Speed Demon E/Fuel Blown streamliner.
Raschke’s involvement in land-speed racing spanned decades. He has served as director of sales and marketing at ARP and embraced roles that ranged from fabrication and engineering to driving record-setting vehicles. His passion for speed was matched by a deep technical knowledge, honed through early stints including Silverado Raceway and later work with Duttweiler Performance and the Speed Demon team.
Raschke’s most recent Speed Demon outings included runs exceeding 450 mph, with his personal best reaching 459.734 mph—a milestone that earned him a coveted black hat for exceeding 400 mph. He also helped the team to its record 11th Hot Rod Magazine Trophy.
Sunday’s tragic run at SpeedWeek, an annual showcase for drivers chasing land-speed milestones, was part of a weekend of competition expected to run through Friday. Raschke’s attempt occurred in front of the community he helped build, and the outpouring of mourning reflects the breadth of his impact in the sport.
Raschke’s career included key partnerships with iconic figures in land-speed racing including George Poteet and Wayne Jesel. Most after joining ARP in 1996, he learned all facets of the business before stepping into the role of driver. He made his Bonneville debut in the “369 Roadster” before handling Jesel’s modified pickup and later the Speed Demon streamliner itself.
In a 2024 interview, Raschke described a milestone series of records in classes at El Mirage with Jesel’s B/Blown Fuel Modified pickup, noting an elevation in his passion for speed. That season included a championship in the El Mirage series and record-setting performances at each of the six events.
His transitions from behind the sales desk to behind the wheel of the world’s fastest wheel-driven car reflected his versatility and courage. He became known not only for engineering precision, but for a calm, analytical approach once strapped into the seat.
Several years ago, Raschke credited the team’s engine builder, Ken Duttweiler, and the rest of the Speed Demon crew for achieving what he called “modular” reliability: quick engine swaps, class changes, and sustained performance across multiple attempts during SpeedWeek. He recounted running 333 mph with an injector failure-induced fire and still claiming the Hot Rod Magazine Trophy.
A large contingent of racers, crew members and officials have extended condolences to the Raschke family, ARP Fasteners, and the Speed Demon team. The SCTA issued a statement saying, “Our thoughts are with Chris’s family, friends and fellow racers,” while noting investigations are ongoing.
The land-speed community mourns a loss that cuts to its core—Raschke’s dedication, expertise and fearlessness on the salt flats defined him to his peers.
Raschke, an inductee into the MPMC Manufacturers Hall of Fame, leaves behind a legacy that bridged engineering and driving, mentorship and competition. Whether he was calibrating torque specs at ARP or footing the throttle in a record car, he represented a rare breed of racer who understood speed from the bolt up.
