Winning never gets old for Gary Phillips.

The veteran Australian Pro Alcohol driver clinched his 20th series championship when he carried the points lead into the final day of the rain-cancelled Gulf Western Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway.

So what is the key to his longevity and success?

"Determination and being stubborn is where it starts," Phillips admitted. "Can't doesn't exist in my vocabulary."

Phillips latest championship was a bittersweet moment, as he clinched an unprecedented 20th title, on the same day he revealed the end of his Lucas Oil sponsorship.

Phillips began his championship success back in 1991, when he captured the first two ANDRA Top Alcohol championship, later winning another seven in a row starting in 1995. His latest championship is his second Thunder 400/IHRA title.

"When I first started, I only wanted to win just one race," Phillips said.

Ironically, Phillips' American equivalent, Frank Manzo said the same thing.

"Only met him once, and it was for two minutes at a Lucas Oil function," Phillips said. "I've admired what he's accomplished for many years. He does everything himself like I do. We are just a couple of bearings and spark plugs racers.

"There are no gimmes in his world and none in mine. I'd rather earn it than to have it handed to me on a gold platter."

Phillips understands each year new drivers are coming into the class he's dominated, looking to replace him atop the Pro Alcohol division. The veteran has sage advice for the next generation.

"I've had a lot of rookie drivers approach me over the years, and I've been proud to mentor them," Phillips said. "The only way to be successful is to have a hard-nosed, my way or the highway approach.

"To this day, I've never had any of them not listen or pick up on the advice. They know they can pick up the phone and call me, as long as I know what I've told them. It's like someone baking a cake; it might taste great with less sugar for someone, and to another, it might be terrible."

And, as Australian drag racing fans will agree, no one has made a cake quite like Phillips, who has been supported along the way by wife Debbie and son Cheyne.

"What you see is what you get," Phillips said. "There's no sugar-coating. If you want the truth as I see it, ask me the question. That's how I have always been, and how I always will be."