Glenn missed very few races at Biloxi from 1957-1961.

He ran S/S and then C/G in 1959 with his '57 Chevy.

On Biloxi Dragway's opening day (2 day meet on Labor Day weekend, 1957) Glenn won his first trophies (two) with his Black '57 Fuel Injected 283 cu in, 283 hp. Chevy Del-Rey in Super Stock.

"I was there without my car in the summer of 1960. I saw Ivo & Arfrons run. I knew Lenny Dobard, Marion Walton and most of the New Orleans racers who ran at Biloxi in the late '50's. The reason I did not have my car at Biloxi, is that I took the 6 carb manifold and mag and put it on Wayne Smythe's B/MR. We went to the 1960 NHRA Nationals in Detroit, Labor Day, 1960. We set a mph record. I was attending summer school at LSU that summer, so was not racin' that summer. I built a mini-bike at that summer school shop class. I used it as a "pit bike" at Biloxi. Sonny Ranson (President of the New Orleans Road Rebels of which I was a member) broke his elbow while thinking he knew how to ride it on the return road at Biloxi! It weighed 40 lbs and went 40 mph in 100 ft!"

- Glenn Cupit

--- Interview With Glenn On Biloxi ---

How long would the events be? Any idea what time they would start & end? One day events. Time trials in morning. Eliminations after lunch.

Was there much upgrading done to the layout of the facility from 1957 to 1961? No. Return road was packed gravel-dirt. Shut off area after the lights was rough. I had no problem stopping with a 110 mph gasser. I know other faster cars had stopping problems on the rough shut-off area.

What was it like with the dragstrip so close to hwy 67? Because push-start cars could not be started on the return road as was usal for the time . . they had to be push-started from the end of strip back towards the start. Turned around behind the starting line and lined up.

Did any one ever lose control of their vehicle at the dragstrip? Yes. I cannot remember ALL the ones who ran off the strip end, but at least one dragster could not stop after push starting from the end towards the start. The New Orleans Road Rebels dragster, J D Gagliano driving. He hit brakes to turn around. Brake push rod was a "push rod" from an engine valve train and not "locked in" place. The push rod came out somehow and JD had no brakes. Ran in to the crowd that was allowed on the strip at that time, hurt at least one lady and ran through the fence at Hwy 67. J D got hurt going throught he fence. Don't remember the year?

Was the dragstrip about as safe as it could be for the time? Biloxi was the ONLY "real" purpose-built drag strip in Louisiana-Mississippi before LaPlace (1962). It was definitely primitive as we look back on it today. However, Biloxi was breaking new ground and had to learn from experience. There was not many "models" to learn from. I would say it was comparable to other Airport strips, except for the width and return road. Dauphin Island started running in late '59 or early '60, I think. Don't remember their layout, but it was definitely WORSE than Biloxi. No strips back then had guard rails . not even at the Nationals.

Notes from Cory Evans:

I'd like to thank Glenn for sharing his thoughts for the website. Be sure to checkout his website by clicking the top link on the right.