T ragedy struck on Sunday during the annual Bonneville Speed Week in Utah when veteran racer Chris Raschke died after losing control at nearly 300 mph. He was piloting a custom vehicle known as the Speed Demon III, the latest iteration in a series of piston-engine streamliners fielded by the Speed Demon Team.

Driver Chris Raschke lost control about two and a half miles into a run and was treated by medical professionals at the scene, but died from his injuries, according to a statement from the Southern California Timing Association, which has organized the popular land-speed racing event known as "Speed Week" since the late 1940s.

A driver trying to set a speed record during a racing event at Utah’s famed Bonneville Salt Flats died Sunday after losing control of his vehicle, organizers said.