This is from the NHRA site:
Former TA/FC racer Chuck Phelps dies: Chuck Phelps, former Alcohol Funny Car owner and driver of The Bad Moon Rising entry, passed away this morning at Parkland Hospital in Dallas of a brain tumor. He was 59. Phelps had been in the and out of the hospital with health concerns recently and was admitted to Parkland Oct. 3 and passed away the following day. Phelps scored two national event wins in his NHRA racing career, at the 1986 Chief Nationals at Texas Motorplex and the ’87 Winternationals at Pomona Raceway. The popular team, led by crew chief Mickey Winters, won over fans with their style, which included werewolf masks sometimes worn on the starting line and other novel activities. No services have been announced at this time.