( CNN ) -- Officials will conduct an autopsy Monday on Mark Niver , a drag racer who died when the parachute came off the back of his dragster -- sending him slamming into the netting at the end of the track . Niver , 60 , was taking part in the National Hot Rod Association 's Lucas Oil Northwest Nationals in Seattle , Washington , on Sunday . After the parachute came off , he was able to slow the car a bit before plowing into the net fencing at the end of the drag strip . The death was the second this year in the association 's drag racing series . 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 had been racing in the hot rod association for more than 20 years , but won his first race just two years ago in a race at Topeka , Kansas .
Niver , 60 , crashes into net at end of track when parachute comes off . Death is second of the year in National Hot Rod Association series . Niver raced for more than 20 years . He won his first race two years ago .