Gary Phillips, who led John Cannuli by 68 points in the Top Alcohol points headed into Willowbank, had his weekend ended prematurely as he lost control of his Lucas Oil Funny Car at about the 60-foot mark and impacted the retaining wall in his lane. The car, with a hung throttle, continued down the left lane wall until it came to a stop just shy of the finish line.

“We had a broken oil line, and the oil got under the tire,” said Phillips. “When that happens, you’re not steering the car … you are just along for the ride. I’m fine.”

Phillips has two chassis in his nearby Hillcrest shop, but was undecided as to whether he will prepare one to enter Saturday’s final two sessions.

While Phillips was checked out and released by on-site medical personnel, the same could not be said for his wife Debbie, who was transported to a local hospital with an abnormally high blood pressure.