West Fargo racer says Bonneville crash ‘changed everything’

Abby Makay / WDAY By Kevin Wallevand Today at 6:23 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? WEST FARGO — It happened in a matter of seconds. A West Fargo man who comes from a car racing family is still recovering from a horrific crash earlier this summer at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. ADVERTISEMENT Speeds at the historic racing track can reach over 200-miles an hour. The crash almost cost David Brant his life. Brant knows the Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway better than anyone. His family's racing and car building roots go back decades. "I started racing carts at the age of 5 and then going to Bonneville with Dad and Grandpa when I was six," Brant said. But today, Brant says he is lucky to have survived a horrible crash this summer at the track. He was driving a Streamliner, which can reach incredible speeds. "The record we were going for was 266 miles per hour," Brant said of his attempt in August. The car had been in the family for 30-plus years. But during speed week, he, like so many racers, was trying to set a speed record when something went terribly wrong. "I ended up flipping forward and sideways, I ended up breaking the car into three pieces, and I was in it," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Fortunately, he said he remembers nothing from the crash. A medical helicopter was called in to fly him to Salt Lake. "They tried three times to intubate me because I had a broken neck, but they ended up doing a trach on me," he said of his critical injuries. READ MORE FROM KEVIN WALLEVAND 'The rest is history': From Minnesofa's humble garage beginnings to a growing retail sofa company 3d ago Gwinner firefighters honor young cancer patient 4d ago 'Our faith is in action': Moorhead church provides kits for those preparing for winter 4d ago Brant was in intensive care for 11 days and physical rehab for nine days. Broken ribs, broken neck and a brain injury. This young father of two is now reflecting on what was and what could have been. "My perspective on everything changed. Every little conversation I have throughout the day, it changed the perspective on those and the people I talk to, it changed those relationships. Family, it changed everything," he said. The racing community, along with his West Fargo neighbors and co-workers have all stepped up to raise money for the Brants. Brant said will head back to the salt flats again, but not to race. "It changed how I see everything, now," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Friends have set up a GoFundMe for the family. Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags KEVIN WALLEVAND CRASHES WEST FARGO AUTO RACING By Kevin Wallevand Kevin Wallevand has been a reporter at WDAY-TV since 1983. He is a native of Vining, Minnesota in Otter Tail County. His series and documentary work have brought him to Africa, Vietnam, Haiti, Kosovo, South America, Mongolia, Juarez,Mexico and the Middle East. He is an multiple Emmy and national Edward R. Murrow award recipient. Reach Kevin at [email protected] or 701-241-5317 Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next West Fargo West Fargo police chief says Axon technology will replace Flock, bring new AI features 16h ago · By Sav Kelly West Fargo Fargo man arrested on suspicion of possessing 21 stolen debit cards 4d ago · By Staff reports Fargo F-M area candidates elected in uncontested races 6d ago · By Staff reports ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads West Fargo West Fargo police chief says Axon technology will replace Flock, bring new AI features 16h ago · By Sav Kelly Business The Bowler in Fargo for sale for $4.5M 14h ago · By Angie Wieck Fargo Winter warming operations to open at Fargo Resource and Recovery Center 6h ago · By April Baumgarten Lifestyle 701's Acme Mac and Cheese is a serving of savory food history 13h ago · By John Lamb