Van Gisbergen and TEKNO general manager Steve Hallam visited with Phillips and his Lucas Oil team ahead of qualifying, with the five-time V8 Supercars race winner jumping into the seat of the Lucas Oil Funny Car.

“It was pretty awesome of Gary and his team to let me sit in the Lucas Oil Funny Car for the warm-up,” van Gisbergen said.

“To feel the power of the engine, hear the noise, with the methanol fumes watering the eyes, it was pretty good!

“To feel how much power the car has just sitting there was a really cool experience.”