If ever there was a legendary quarter-mile event in the Deep South that could also be described as “the best-kept secret” within that particular region, Gulfport Dragway’s beloved Ford vs. Chevy Drags would most certainly be part of that conversation.
[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #191, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November / December of 2024.]
While this gathering might not receive nationwide exposure, a cult following along the Mississippi coast it most certainly has. The event carries such a following in this area that even the local Waffle House on Canal Road took it upon themselves to have one-of-a-kind Ford vs. Chevy crew shirts made, and they wear them just one weekend per year!
The appeal of this event, along with its longevity of 35 years, may be attributed to the fact that it hasn’t changed much since its inception. “I think that’s definitely part of the appeal, the fact that very little has changed about this event. It’s even still run on the quarter mile!” says Gaylon Rolison Jr., who operates this track with longtime friends and fellow racers Tommy Castanedo and Britt Cummings.
The trio of racers turned track operators all have one thing in common when it comes to this race: they’ve only heard stories about the earliest days of the event, and just know that it’s been a spectacle for many years. In fact, Cummings attended his very first Ford vs. Chevy race at Gulfport in 2023, mainly because for many years this event fell on the same weekend as the Million Dollar Bracket Race, of which Britt, Tommy, and Gaylon wouldn’t think of missing. After they took over as track managers two years ago, one of the first scheduling changes they made was altering the date of this event!
There’s a number of factors about the Ford vs. Chevy gathering that’s distinctively different from any other event at Gulfport, and most notably is the bizarre fact that you won’t see this particular group of cars again for another 12 months. Amazingly, the race cars that compete in this event have been tucked away in a garage or barn for a solid year, just waiting for this event to roll around again. For proof, Castanedo points to the eight dirt dauber nests that were cleaned off the starting line on Saturday. “Probably 80 percent of the cars here this weekend, we’ve never seen before!” laughs Rolison.
The entrants that participate in the annual crosstown trek to Gulfport represent some of the finest autos ever turned out by the pair of legacy automakers, and there’s also a class for dragsters and roadsters. “The car that really caught my attention this weekend was that late-1960s model Corvette with an old-school paint design, and still sporting the vintage Super Stock stickers from decades past!” says Castanedo. For fans of Ford’s Pro Stock efforts from the 1970s, the Bob Glidden Pinto tribute car was also a huge hit. No matter the performance level or model year, there’s a class for practically everyone through the gate, and fans quickly pick their favorites.
Even the jet car exhibition reflects the event perfectly, as David Douthit, driving the “Black Pearl” 1968 Camaro, was pitted against Chris Bennett, who wheels the “Quartermaster” 1965 Mustang. Racers and fans alike line the fence to watch these guys make quarter-mile blasts in their jet-powered machines for both days of the event. “I don’t believe there’s been a time when jet cars weren’t a part of Ford vs. Chevy weekend,” says Rolison.
Rolison and his cohorts dream of someday really ramping up the thrill show exhibitions on this weekend, and they’ve even seriously discussed including a pair of Top Fuel dragsters and flame-throwing wheelstanders. “We’d love to do it someday!” they confirm.
A car show and swap meet were included this year, and will likely continue moving forward, although Castanedo says he needs to curb his spending. “I dropped $750 at the swap meet this weekend!” he laughs. Cummings showed much more restraint, though, only spending $10 on a set of horns for his scooter. “I couldn’t justify the price of the larger set of bull horns, but they would have looked good though!” he laughs.
It’s hard to imagine this legendary weekend in Gulfport being much more entertaining, or achieving a greater local following, but the trio of friends currently managing the place are going to give it their best shot, all while enjoying every second of it themselves.
This story was originally published on January 9, 2025. 
The post DIALED IN: Age-Old Rivalry Rages on at Gulfport Dragway’s Ford vs. Chevy Drags first appeared on Drag Illustrated.