check out this pic
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-201_162-...=page;previous
the pilot is not in view, and considering the steep angle at which it came down, it is likely he's leaning forward (which is kinda hard, cos you're strapped in), my very wild guess is that he wasn't conscious (maybe dead?) before he hit the ground. The plane has no visible structural damage, so a steep plunge like that is really unlikely unless it's actually pushed down
As much as I like vintage planes, I think that Reno races, other than ruining beautiful warbirds, is an unnecessary risk.