Scott Kalitta was killed in a firey drag-racing accident. See:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DziJdGwFQjU

 

Yeah I recently also saw on TV some racers who are disabled and using wheelchairs due to accidents.
You never hear about tennis players, golfers, and ping pong champions dieing from their sport.
Mountain climbing is another dangerous one.

 

golfers get killed every year in there sport from getting struck by lightening i am actually suprised that more drag racers aren't killed when they crash

 

It's a testament to how well these cars are built (i.e., roll cages & safety equipment). However, in Kalitta's case, nothing could have saved him after hitting the wall at 300 mph and his dragster exploding.

 

It's mind blowing how fast those dragsters can tear up the 1/4 mile in 4 sec. Cool sport. Not for me tho.