Race announcers called Niver `` a true craftsman and an innovator '' who hand-built all his race cars from start to finish -- he machined his engines and components and fabricated the car bodies . Niver , 60 , fell into net at end of race when parachute comes off . Death is second of the year in National Hot Rod Association history . Niver raced for more than 20 years . He won his first race 20 years ago .
Niver , 60 , fell into net at end of race when parachute comes off . Death is second of the year in National Hot Rod Association history . Niver raced for more than 20 years . He won his first race 20 years ago .