Reunion Grand Marshal and Reunion honcho, Steve Gibbs, leads Larry Dixon Sr. in the push start fire up of the famous Fireside Inn Roadster AA/FMR, preparing for the Saturday evening Cacklefest. (Darr Hawthorne photo)

Larry "Smokey" Alleman brought out his new "Smokey's Firebird" Nitro Funny Car, but after passing chassis certification and tech, NHRA National Technical Director Danny Gracia pronounced the fiberglass body to be "outside the spirit of the rules".  Alleman was then allowed to run the car in exhibition following AA/FC qualifying with Rick Rogers driving it to a best of 5.98/235.64 mph on the car's second full pass. (Darr Hawthorne photo)