She was a 58 year old who loved to race cars, and Saturday night, she died doing what she loved.
News Channel 11 found out the deadly crash at Lonesome Pine Raceway in Wise County, Virginia wasn't for money, just a trophy.
Lonesome Pine General Manager Clint Vance was at the track when the accident happened. "I was actually down here talking to the late model drivers after their race. I heard it…A very loud crash," Vance said.
Wanda Phillips was coming off a turn into lap four of ten.
In front of 1500 fans, she crashed.
"She glanced off the outside retaining wall and went straight into the guardrail on the inside," Vance told News Channel 11.
Phillips was a favorite at Lonesome Pine Raceway.
She was the winningest female driver at this track.
Her car hasn't been moved yet and the flag stands at half staff.
Vance talked to Phillips’ family and he said they told him Phillips died happy. "Well, if she had to go, I guess that's the way she would have wanted to go out," Vance said.
Her family believes Phillips’ had health problems that may have suddenly caused her to loose control. They say it wasn't a safety issue, and they want to include Lonesome Pine in Phillips' last hoorah. The funeral will be held at the track Tuesday morning at 11:00.
Wanda Phillips was in the lead when she had the accident, but her family says she will make it to victory lane. The hearse is going to take her there during the service.
None of the other four drivers were hurt in the wreck, and Phillips' family says she wouldn't have wanted the track to shut down because of her.
"One of her sons told us that they were going to be here this weekend to wave the green flag to see that we did race," Vance said.
The races will go on but not the women’s and children’s classes. Lonesome Pine Raceway suspended those races.
News Channel 11 found out the deadly crash at Lonesome Pine Raceway in Wise County, Virginia wasn't for money, just a trophy.
Lonesome Pine General Manager Clint Vance was at the track when the accident happened. "I was actually down here talking to the late model drivers after their race. I heard it…A very loud crash," Vance said.
Wanda Phillips was coming off a turn into lap four of ten.
In front of 1500 fans, she crashed.
"She glanced off the outside retaining wall and went straight into the guardrail on the inside," Vance told News Channel 11.
Phillips was a favorite at Lonesome Pine Raceway.
She was the winningest female driver at this track.
Her car hasn't been moved yet and the flag stands at half staff.
Vance talked to Phillips’ family and he said they told him Phillips died happy. "Well, if she had to go, I guess that's the way she would have wanted to go out," Vance said.
Her family believes Phillips’ had health problems that may have suddenly caused her to loose control. They say it wasn't a safety issue, and they want to include Lonesome Pine in Phillips' last hoorah. The funeral will be held at the track Tuesday morning at 11:00.
Wanda Phillips was in the lead when she had the accident, but her family says she will make it to victory lane. The hearse is going to take her there during the service.
None of the other four drivers were hurt in the wreck, and Phillips' family says she wouldn't have wanted the track to shut down because of her.
"One of her sons told us that they were going to be here this weekend to wave the green flag to see that we did race," Vance said.
The races will go on but not the women’s and children’s classes. Lonesome Pine Raceway suspended those races.