Most likely the world's only Donovan-powered blown doorslammer, Alabamian
Jerry Rhodes transferred the ancient aluminum 417 from his last "Sand
Mountain Shaker" Trans Am alky funny car to his solid black Foy Gilmore-built
'63 Stingray. Faced with running a career-best during the final qualifying
session's worst possible conditions in order to make the show, the 392-powered
'Vette did just that with a 4.16/172 for one of the meet's greatest moments.
Another 4.16/174 in round one advanced over a broken Bil Clanton before
a 4.20/171 fell to Toney Russell's 4.17/175 by nineteen thousandths of
a second!
The absolutely indescribable '78 Camaro of Alcoa, Tennessee's Jeff Byrd
was an instant hit with the fans. Although the 526-inch Chrysler-powered
beast failed to qualify with a best of 4.63/167, the home-built car is
a true showpiece.
Another gorgeous new ride was debuted in Pro Nitrous Eliminator by Lee Adkins. Built by Garrett Race Cars and powered by a 632-inch Wilkerson Chevy, the Tennessee-based Bel-Air qualified and ran as quick as a 4.43/162 before falling to eventual winner Terry Housely in round two.
