Driver dies in Seattle-area race

KENT, Wash. – A 60-year-old drag racing driver became the third person to die at an NHRA event this year when he crashed after crossing the finish line during his semifinal at the Northwest Nationals on Sunday.

Mark Niver of Phoenix was competing in the Top Alcohol dragster class in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing series, the top feeder circuit for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing series. The parachutes on his car ripped away after they were deployed and Niver couldn’t stop his dragster before it slammed into the protective netting at the end of the runway.

The NHRA said it’s investigating the accident and extended its sympathies to Niver’s family. Association spokesman Michael Padian declined comment when asked for more information about what happened, saying the investigation had just started.