Speed Demon Streamliner Is Now World’s Fastest Piston-Powered Car After Breaking Land Speed Record At 470-MPH

If you’re looking for real speed, the Bonneville Flats are where you need to be. Every year during Bonneville Speed Week you can expect records to be shattered. This year was the piston-powered top speed record. The record was previously held by Danny Thompson, Mickey Thompson’s son, with a 448.75-mph average back in 2018.

However, Thompson has been beaten by George Poteet and the Speed Demon streamliner crew with a staggering 470.016-mph effort. The vehicle is powered by a twin-turbocharged, big-block Chevy engine. Earlier in the week, Poteet ran a five-mile speed of 469.298 mph which was the Demon’s then-fastest speed on the salt. Those runs set up the team for the record run that happened Thursday morning.

If you’re thinking you’ve missed out on a shot at the Salts, don’t worry. Both Thompson and Poteet broke the record later in life. Thompson was 69 when he set the 448.75-mph average and Poteet is 71 at the time of his record.