On a devastating Saturday night in southwest Texas, Nathan Schaldach, better known as Cali Nate from the popular reality TV program Street Outlaws, was involved in a fatal vehicle crash. The news of his passing was confirmed by his girlfriend Courtney Paulshock in a heart-wrenching Facebook post, where she referred to him as her “soul mate.”
Paulshock expressed her deep grief and shock on Twitter, stating, “I’m not whole. I’m completely shocked. I feel like my heart is breaking.” The tragedy occurred while Schaldach was racing in Eagle Pass, located around two hours west of San Antonio. Despite the efforts of his friends to rush him to the hospital, they were unable to save his life. Paulshock has chosen not to disclose further details about the accident at this time.
Schaldach appeared in the fourth season of Street Outlaws: Fastest in America, a thrilling show that followed eight drag racing teams competing for a $100,000 prize. His season concluded in May of last year. Street Outlaws, the original program that inspired the current version, featured daring street racers risking their lives for the thrill of the race.
Drag racing, a sport where two cars race on a short, straight track towards a finish line, is known for its danger. While professional drag racing is regulated and relatively safe, street racing, which inspired the show, is highly illegal and extremely risky. Unfortunately, accidents like these remind us of the potential consequences.
This is not the first tragedy to strike the Street Outlaws community. In 2022, during the filming of the show, Ryan Fellows, another beloved cast member, lost his life in a car accident. Schaldach’s passing marks another devastating loss for the Street Outlaws family. The loss has deeply impacted the network and its dedicated viewers.
Upon hearing the news of Schaldach’s untimely passing, friends and fans took to social media to express their sorrow and offer condolences. Chris Frank, a close friend of Schaldach’s, shared a heartfelt Facebook video, saying, “Those of you who raced him feared him, and those of you who were friends with him loved him. He was one of the last true racers, with a genuine love and understanding of the sport.”
In one of his final messages, Schaldach sent a heartfelt text to Paulshock, promising his eternal love. “Garth told me to tell you I love you very much just in case tomorrow never comes,” he wrote. Little did they know that this would be his final race.
Paulshock shared a screenshot of their exchange on social media, along with the plea, “Please wake me up from this nightmare.” Later that day, she also posted Lady Gaga’s song “I’ll Never Love Again” from the movie A Star Is Born, reflecting her profound grief and loss.
The tragic loss of Nathan Schaldach has not only impacted his loved ones but also the entire Street Outlaws community. As we mourn his passing, let us remember the thrill and passion he brought to the sport of drag racing and keep his memory alive.
