---
title: "Scott Speed Breaks His Back on Hard Landing at Exhibition Rallycross Event"
description: "The multi-time rallycross champion finished the session before he was taken to a nearby hospital to confirm a \"destroyed\" T6."
date: "2019-08-18"
modified: "2019-08-18"
authors:
  - name: "Caleb Jacobs"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/caleb-jacobs"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/29463/scott-speed-breaks-his-back-on-hard-landing-at-exhibition-rallycross-event"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
---

# Scott Speed Breaks His Back on Hard Landing at Exhibition Rallycross Event

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/08/GettyImages-174483480.jpg>)
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While competing in a Nitro Rallycross event at Utah Motorsports Park on Friday, pro driver [Scott Speed](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/18175/ex-formula-1-driver-grc-champ-scott-speed-under-fire-over-intentional-iracing-crashes>) suffered a broken back upon landing his works-run Subaru WRX STI race car.

The 36-year-old, who has experience in various race series including IndyCar and Formula 1, was competing in the first qualifying session of the afternoon when he was injured and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1RSzIXFt1Z

"CT scan confirmed a destroyed t6, then \[I\] was taken to a spine specialist at University of Utah. Finally got an MRI done around 3am. We found I have three fractured vertebrae. Waiting now for the surgeons to give us the game plan," Speed explained on social media. "Last night was easily the scariest and most painful time I can remember. Was in a pretty dark place. But I want to thank so much everyone who came and spent time with me.”

Subaru Motorsports USA issued a similar statement on Speed's condition:

"Unfortunately, Scott Speed suffered a back injury during the first qualifying heat after a heavy landing over a jump. He was able to finish the heat and exit the car, but has been transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Scott will miss the remainder of the event.”

The jump which resultantly injured Speed was not the complex's famed 70-foot launch area but instead a smaller tabletop section of the track. The Nitro Rallycross event is held as part of thrill-seeker Travis Pastrana and company's nationwide tour that includes high-adrenaline stunts and competitions on everything from dirtbikes to skateboards and everything in between.

Speed is well-versed in rally competition, having won the Global Rallycross Championship three years straight from 2015-2017, as well as the [Americas Rallycross](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/22170/scott-speed-takes-home-victory-at-inaugural-arx-race-on-american-soil>) title in 2018.

## Author
Caleb Jacobs is The Drive’s senior editor. When he’s not searching for stories or poring over copy, he’s usually driving his dump truck or wishing it was running so he could drive it. He was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks, and he lives there today with his family.

### Author social links  
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