It seems there’s just no end to the eventful moments that occurred around the sport — and the world — this weekend. From Sweden to Australia to right here in the states, the level of carnage that took place over a three-day period is unrivaled with any other weekend in recent memory.

In addition to Top Fuel racer Phil Lamattina’s high-speed crash that left him with injuries, another Australian drag racing star, Gary Phillips, also went for a wild ride during the ANDRA Fuchs Winternationals at the Willowbank Raceway.

The decorated, 16-time national champion was making a single run during the opening round of qualifying on Friday when an oil feed line spilled oil under the tires of his Lucas Oil Products Chevy Monte Carlo Top Alcohol Funny Car Funny Car right at the hit. Before Phillips even reached the christmas tree, the car was sideways in its own oil, which caused it to turn abruptly into the left hand guardrail. Photographers in the area can be seen scrambling from their positions on the wall as Phillips makes a brutal impact with the concrete barrier.

During the melee, the throttle momentarily went wide open once more, sending the chassis — by then mostly void of the body — into the wall once more, before finally shedding the body altogether and coasting to a stop. Phillips was checked and cleared by on-site medical staff.

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

The accident opened the door for fellow racer John Cannuli in the championship points chase. As Phillips looked on from the grandstands on race day, Cannuli was tasked with racing his way to the final round, which would give him enough points to take away the title. But it wasn’t meant to be, as a fuel line came loose in the semifinals, sending flames into the cockpit of his Funny Car. That loss handed Phillips his 17th Top Alcohol national championship.

Photo credit: dragphotos.com.au