(Photo by. The whole 1986 season had been a disappointment to that point and people were wondering what would become of Glidden. In 1986, in one of drag racing's great comeback stories, Glidden overcame a slow start and a horrific crash at the Southern Nationals in April to win his seventh Winston title. The 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion passed away on Sunday after being hospitalized earlier in the month for an undisclosed illness. Glidden's Ford Thunderbird, which he received in mid-1984, was the dominant car in the last half of the 1984 season and for all of 1985. I did a Goodyear tire test at Norwalk with BOBBY G. We ate lunch on the starting line where someone had placed 1 chair Mr. Glidden insisted I take the chair,while he and his family sat ON THE TRACK. Bob Glidden was born on January 01, 1944 (died on December 17, 2017, he was 73 years old) in Whiteland, Indiana. Brand loyalty was assume . Market data provided by Factset. Yet in 1978, not one of them could hold a candle to the record-setting Ford Fairmont legendary driver Bob Glidden was about to unleash on the field. Bob Glidden (August 18, 1944 December 17, 2017) was an American drag racer. He campaigned a series of 427 Fairlanes before switching to the more potent 428 Cobra Jet Mustangs in 1968. He was the man to beat in pro stock in the late 80s. I watched Bob spend his life becoming the Legend, by simply doing what he loved to do. The smile on her face said it all. Glidden won 85 NHRA National E or redistributed. I have never forgotten that image. Bob Glidden's opinion on engine stands 11-02-2016, 10:44 AM. He went on to work with Ford, developing engines for their NASCAR Winston Cup program. Predictably, it was. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. On Sunday, December 17, Glidden died at age 73, after being admitted to an Indianapolis hospital for an undisclosed illness on December 5. Glidden set the B/SA national record in the above pictured machine. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. I briefly met them at MIR, and their enthusiasm. Bob Glidden leaves behind one of the most decorated legacies in NHRA and motorsports history. NHRA'S 50 GREATEST DRIVERS -- NO. It was the Glidden and Shepherd show through the entire 1980 season. Maintaining his job as a line mechanic at the dealer and racing a schedule that was busy but paled on comparison to what his later career would look like, Glidden graduated to super stock and became the man to beat in NHRA division three competition. We may earn money from the links on this page. I think it was Weld, but either way there was a wheel with a signature decal on one of the 5 spokes. Anthony Caruso III on December 17, 2017 / 0 comments. My best to his family and friends. Because Ford had yet to provide Glidden with factory support and Chrysler was willing to pay him directly to go racing, he took the deal. Unlike his 1979 championship season, Glidden won his third straight and fifth title in 1980 in dramatic fashion. Long before racing professionally and the making of the Legend, Bob Glidden and I were friends. C $5.87. My deepest condolences go out to Etta and the Glidden family. He gave me a hug and told me that he is glad i still come to the races. Gliddens reaction is understandable, given the state of affairs in Pro Stock at the time. Brand New. >Bob Glidden did not get caught using nitrous oxide..One of his kids, Just what does "pressurize a block" mean? Drag racing lost a true icon. It was the classic Ford vs. Chevy in the early pro stock class. Autoweek participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. He was surrounded by his loving family. Glidden died in Whiteland on December 17, 2017 of colorectal cancer at the age of 73. In a star-studded career that spanned more than 25 years in the class, Glidden won 85 events and 10 season championships and was voted No. David Lindley, a multitalented guitarist who was a fixture in Los Angeles recording studios during the 1970s and '80s, died on Friday. He was in 10 of 14 finals and won the last five races of the year for his 8th title. Bob went on to indirectly accuse KurtJohnson of it, but had no proof. "He gave the inspiration to a lot of people that if you dedicate yourself to something you're gonna be successful at it. Glidden had been very successful running a small-block Ford in the early era, including a stretch in 1978 when he won a record nine straight national events. June 10, 2022 . "NITRO498" wrote in messagenews:20010714214131@ng-mi1.aol.com Maybe i was told this because it sounded interesting to the person whotold me, but I do remember the vision of Bob wrapping the engine andhe has been a hero of mine ever since. The best of all times. Glidden was beloved by his fans, more so in Johnson County than anywhere else. Glidden began his drag racing career in the 1960s in a Ford 427 Fairlane. After battling illness, word spread across Facebook on Saturday that he had died, but that was refuted . He led the points from the first race to the last and there was never a question at any point in time who was going to be collecting the big check at the end of the year. After a disappointing 1976 season, in which he finished a distant sixth behind Larry Lombardo, Glidden rebounded to finish second behind Don Nicholson in 1977 before reclaiming his number-one ranking in 1978. He was a 21-time IHRA winner, leading the tour with nine wins and 10 final-round appearances during his 1976 championship season. He was 74 years old. Ironically, it was Glidden's incredible success that sparked the Reher-Morrison team. If before reading this you weren't familiar with Bob Glidden, you've probably seen his epic crash in 1986 in at least one Top 10 crash montages. >Also, Bob Glidden HIMSELF DID get caught with NOS on board also. I know that I have to hustle to win and that I have to go all out to afford to race.". I think Bob was the greatest drag racer ever, next to Big Daddy. He died on 8 November, and an inquest has been Glidden was named to the Motorsports Hall of Fame in America in 1994 and ranked fourth on the list of top drivers from the NHRAs first 50 years in 2000. Glidden retired his undefeated Fairmont in favor of a Plymouth Arrow in 1979 and lost only three times all year. There were wins but no title. ETTA TALKED ABOUT WRENCHING ON BOBS CAR.SHE GAVE A LIFE SIZE POSTER OF BOB.SHE IMPRESSED MY DAUGHTER SUSAN SO MUCH SHE GOT A MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEGREE AND NOW IS A GM ENGINEER . December 18, 2017 After coming close in 1980, Shepherd succeeded in stripping Glidden of his title in 1981. This performance was called total domination. The passing of \Dyno Don\ Nicholson,Bill \Grumpy\ Jenkins,and now Bob Glidden. I was never a Ford guy growing up, but the only Ford i cheered for was the one that had Bob Glidden on the window. I'venever heard this, and it just sounds like a load of BS to me.. Bob knew Rusty was using it when Rusty ran the 6 with the Winnibago(sp) car. Photo courtesy of Pro Set Racing trading cards. His win at the 1989 World Finals was his 76th. Birth Place: Whiteland, Indiana. I imagine we ran bigger ports than anyone else, but I dont have a clue what the other people ran.. or Best Offer +$11.90 shipping He then won the fall nationals and the World Finals beating Wayne Gapp and Bill Jenkins at those events. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences are with the Glidden family at this difficult time., When asked to what he attributed his success, Glidden once said, "Common sense and the will to survive. Hemen Sarod Price, Robert Bob Glidden, 78, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, MN. Edit Now Racing career Glidden began his drag racingcareer in the 1960s in a Ford427 Fairlane. HOULTON -- Robert (Bob) L. Glidden Sr., 83, died following a brief illness on Feb. 16, 2010, in a Bangor Hospital. (andyes, one of the cars WAS Harold Stouts). 4 on the list of Top 50 racers from NHRA's first 50 years in 2000. 4 on the list of Top 50 racers from NHRA's first 50 years in 2000. When we started hiring outside people, it was really our downfall. Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from EngineLabs, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE! We didn't clinch the points title mathematically until just before [Indianapolis], but mentally, we felt that we had won the title right there in Englishtown.". But there are other factors, the least of which is the practice of reverse engineering. All rights reserved. He was 73. One of the baddest pro stockers to walk the planet. He qualified number one 23 consecutive times and claimed nine national victories. Glidden earned the nickname Mad Dog due to his intense work ethic. Glidden retired his undefeated Fairmont in favor of a Plymouth Arrow in 1979 and lost only three times all year. 1 five times, posted top speed eight times, and set low e.t. He was the third most successful drag racer of the professional class drivers (sixth when counting sportsman national event winners). six times, and he did it with three different cars, including his old '74 Pinto, which he reacquired after a midseason slump. Bob Glidden Health . His legacy will continue to inspire racers of all stripes for years to come. he came to the 1979 Winternationals with a Plymouth Arrow powered by a smallblock. If there was a singular season that summed up the life and times of Bob Glidden it was 1986. Legendary NHRA drag racer Bob Glidden died Dec. 17 at the age of 73. Always, always admired Mr. Glidden. Sponsored. We had followed his career for many years and to finally be able to meet Bob and spend a few minutes talking with him was a very high point in this Ford racers life. I remember reading about Bob\s work ethic. Bleeding, but OK he had protected his work. Hell I couldn't blame him a bit. This happened under Satan's, I mean, Billy Meyer's, Larry Heath has it exactly right. When Bob Glidden was inducted as number four on the NHRA's Top 50 Drivers list, panelist Bob Frey said of Glidden's talent, "There never was, and probably never will be, a more dominant driver in our sport." On Sunday, December 17, Glidden died at age 73, after being admitted to an Indianapolis hospital for an undisclosed illness on December 5. NOBODY ever has and NOBODY EVER will go undefeated in one calendar year. Prayers for Bob and family. Glidden believes strongly that when . Aug 18, 1944 Whiteland, Indiana, United States Died on 17 Dec 2017 (aged 73) American racing driver. In the late 1970s and especially from the 1980s through the mid-1990s, Glidden was the sport's biggest driver for much of his career before John Force became the most prolific racer in NHRA history in the late 1980s through today. He won the last five in succession and reached the final 10 times. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout Returns for 2023, [Gallery] Upstairs at the 70th Annual Detroit Autorama, Fourth World Series of Pro Mod Takes Place this Weekend at Bradenton, FL, Fueling the Fire Bracket Race & Street-Strip Fuel Delivery Systems Part 2. Bob Perkins got a little collection of NOS spare parts he have found at dealers. He actually dominated harder in the Plymouth. Okay, Bob, its nearly 30 years later. 1970 Ford Boss 429 Mustang - Calypso Coral (Highway 61) 1/18. He will be missed. Bob Glidden, It was my technology and there was no point in letting the cameras get inside my manifold, defends Glidden. Facing his first real challenge in the performance department in quite some time, in the form of the Lee Shepherd-driven Reher-Morrison Chevy Camaro, Glidden led the points chase only once all year: on the last day of the season. Our car experts choose every product we feature. Avery Finnivan Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Sunday. Legal Statement. Mike Magda is a veteran automotive writer with credits in publications such as Racecar Engineering, Hot Rod, Engine Technology International, Motor Trend, Automobile, Automotive Testing Technology and Professional Motorsport World. He quickly beat his own e.t. Following high school he enlisted in the United States Navy. Glidden's late-season surge that year included a victory at his final Division 3 race in Bowling Green, Ky., where he set both ends of the national record (8.83, 154.90) to earn an extra 400 points (in those days, Pro racers earned points toward the Winston championship at a combination of national and divisional races). His last real competitive pass came in 2003, and he did return to the track in 2010 to consult with another team. Opens in a new window or tab. 2021 FOX News Network, LLC. His last came in 1995 at Englishtown. While he did make several finals and won the Springnationals, it was a tough row to hoe in a car that was definitely not one of his favorites. The number 1 pro stock driver of all time. 1970 Ford Boss 429 Mustang - Grabber Blue (Highway 61) 1/18. In 1968 because of his burgeoning success, Martin put his prodigy racer in the hottest thing Ford had to offer for sportsman racing, a 428 Cobra Jet Mustang stocker. He crawled out, staggered once, noticed the hood was gone, took off his jacket and covered his home made intake manifold. He also was the 1976 IHRA World Champion and finished second to Bruce Allen in 1985 Pro Stock standings. R,I.P. The races you had vs WJ & Sheperd (and many others) were legendary. Unlike his three previous seasons, Glidden came out of the blocks flying, winning five of the first seven races and seven of the first 11, and he never looked back. He started out in Stock and moved up to Super Stock. Bob Gliddens legacy in the sport is alive and well today with his son Billy who continues to be one of the hardest working, most resourceful, and dedicated competitors in the sport. Nothing but RESPECT for the whole GLIDDEN Family, Etta, Rusty, Billy, Shannon, the whole gang. Bob Glidden (August 18, 1944 - December 17, 2017) was an American drag racer. The first generation of Pro Stock cars were governed by the weight-per-cubic-inch benchmark, which evolved in a spiders web of weight breaks often decided by inside politics. I apologize for the video quality as it was . One of the greatest drivers in Pro Stock history, Glidden won 85 events and 10 championships in his legendary career. That season, Glidden won seven national events, went undefeated in divisional competition, and earned the maximum number of points available at four national events by qualifying No.

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