He graduated from Spencer High School in 1956. A man dedicated to his profession, RIP Bob. Miraculously, Glidden was not hurt, and he returned to competition a month later at the Cajun Nationals with a new Thunderbird, but his first win would not come until the Mile-High Nationals in July. Juni 2022. Bob Glidden never drank his own Kool-Aid and he approached each and every of the hundreds of events he ran like a kind of desperate guy who had spent his lifes savings to take a shot at the big leagues and could literally not afford to fail. I have never forgotten that image. He ran even quicker at the season-ending Supernationals, where he reset his e.t. It is with great sadness that we bring you this news. When NHRA pretty much called the Gliddens liars when they explained how they did it, Bob said they couldn't find nitrous unless it was in a bottle painted blue. Glidden sometimes came along with CJ. Got a tour of hos trailer and everything. A career Ford man, Glidden made a small comeback during the 2010 season, entering several races in a Pro Stock Mustang. Always my favorite to watch. Bob Glidden's opinion on engine stands 11-02-2016, 10:44 AM. He was 73. Pre-Owned. No acid involved in this process. Pro Stock drag racing is one of the most secretive motorsport disciplines, at least in pit ritual. 1970 Ford Mustang SCJ428 - Candy Apple Red Metallic 1 of 504 (Highway 61) 1/18. 1974 was his second season in the Pro Stock field and the first of a two-in-a-row championship win. I briefly met them at MIR, and their enthusiasm. record (8.81) in qualifying and beat Gapp in the final. 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. Pro Stock teams go to extreme lengths to conceal their engines from prying eyes. He always had time for his family and fans, but when he was swamped with attention, Etta always stepped up and spoke with the fans. Not just the engine itself but the race weight he was allowed to use in competition with the Arrow. NHRA NHRA Glidden served in an advisory and crew chief role for a number of Pro Stock teams during the 2000s and 2010s, including Cunningham, Gray Motorsports, Knoll-Gas Motorsports, and Don Schumacher Racings Mopar effort. There was a chat onCompuserve a looooong time ago, in which Mike Thermos on NOS was the guest, andhe stated at that time he had 3 well known Pro Stock teams that were customers,but would not reveal any of their identities. Most of the development was with cylinder heads and intakes. Heres the thing to remember about Bob Glidden. 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. Visited his home a couple of times and he showed me his garage where he and his wife worked on his cars. Name Date Site E.T. Bob "Xman" Williams#2096 Super Streetanother SRA member"Chance Favors the Prepared Mind". Glidden retired his undefeated Fairmont in favor of a Plymouth Arrow in 1979 and lost only three times all year. Opens in a new window or tab. Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Dec. 17. He raced it in 1978, 1980 and 1981 and won thirteen national even titles. Hell, in anything that is impressive. He was the man to beat in pro stock in the late 80s. HOULTON -- Robert (Bob) L. Glidden Sr., 83, died following a brief illness on Feb. 16, 2010, in a Bangor Hospital. he was bad ass. American drag racing legend Bob Glidden has died at age 73. He went on to work with Ford, developing engines for their NASCAR Winston Cup program. He actually dominated harder in the Plymouth. 4 ranking on its Top 50 drivers of the sanctioning bodys first 50 years. As someone else pointed out, its very rare for someone to be that successful with two different brands at the professional level. +C $15.65 shipping. No, it is mind boggling. Bob is the last to go, but that\s Bob. Bob Glidden was born on August 18, 1944 and died on December 17, 2017. LOL. Brand New. SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY AL STILLEY Rusty Glidden, youngest son of Etta and the late Bob Glidden, was on hand Friday for tributes to his father. All Rights Reserved. While Glidden would not collect another NHRA championship after 1989 he continued winning multiple events a year for several years. Bob Glidden had enjoyed the best season of his career thus far seven wins. Other accolades include back-to-back championships in 1974 and '75, three from '78-'80, and five championships in a row from 1985-'89. 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. 1978 was a huge year for Glidden. Bob die $31.50. A true drag racer who drove, tuned and engineered. A year ago, Billy Glidden found himself battered, bruised, and a bit stunned after making his first test hit of the 2017 season. This is probably one of the reasons he's sworn off drag racing. Humble and relentless at its best. you erned it. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Through the middle 1960s Glidden competed in a lightweight 427 powered Fairlane among other cars like the Galaxie above which were terror machines in the stock and super stock scene of the midwest. It was a harbinger of things to come. That was one gnarly Shoebox ! 1970 Ford Boss 429 Mustang - Calypso Coral (Highway 61) 1/18. However, this time theyd gone too far and Glidden was prepared to point that out. Hemen Sarod Price, I met a former partner (Bobby Allen) while working in the used cars business in Ft. Wayne IN. He was the third most successful drag racer of the professional class drivers (sixth when counting sportsman national event winners). It is a comeback story, it is a perseverance story, it is an amazing story. The Glidden family ernded and worked for everything that they did over there years of racing. Looked justlike a fire system line. We are always looking for good bang shifty stories, projects, photos & videos. I watched Bob spend his life becoming the Legend, by simply doing what he loved to do. HOULTON -- Robert (Bob) L. Glidden Sr., 83, died following a brief illness on Feb. 16, 2010, in a Bangor Hospital. 1976 was a down year for Glidden and one where he actually raced a Chevroletfor one race. It sure don't sound like Bill Bader askinghim to do something like that but who knows. Glidden's Pinto carried him to a come-from-behind victory over rivals Wally Booth and Gapp. Bob Glidden was so angry that he could have chewed an engine block in half. No presscoverage either. Condolences to you and your family. Bob Perkins got a little collection of NOS spare parts he have found at dealers. Legendary NHRA drag racer Bob Glidden died Dec. 17 at the age of 73. If I'm not mistaken, this was way before Bader. In keeping with the spirit of this conversation but in the context of our mission, weve set up a hotline for ideas: [emailprotected]. Nothing was considered easy or mundane. Top Rated Seller. As a MoPar guy, and a small block fan, He was the guy who made it work with the Arrow. Rest in Peace. Glidden was the number one qualifier AT EVERY RACE. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Glidden, who had carried the Ford banner practically by himself throughout his career, retired in February 1997 to concentrate on engine development for some of Ford's NASCAR Winston Cup teams. Glidden sold his two Super Stock Mustangs in 1972 and purchased a Pinto Pro Stocker from Wayne Gapp and Jack Roush and made an immediate impact. Glidden won 10 NHRA Drag Racing championships and 85 events in his 25-year career in Pro Stock. The smile on her face said it all. In recalling his Summernationals triumph, which he attained by defeating the Lombardo-driven Jenkins Monza in the final (8.55 to 8.71), Glidden said, "That was by far the biggest spread that I ever had over the guys in any race that I've ever ran. Rest In Peace, Bob. Glidden, who amassed a record 16,035 points and lowered the national record to 8.59, fielded two winning cars that year: The first was his tried-and-true Ford Pinto that carried him to victories at the season-opening Winternationals and Cajun Nationals, and the second was his famed Ford Fairmont, with which he won the Summernationals and finished the season undefeated in national event competition. Dont know of any other racer that ran 2 different brands, and Absolutely Dominated with both. RIP Bob. 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. Hey, how many owners has IHRA had? I\ve missed him since he retired. Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Dec. 17. Like everyone has said, Bob was a true gentleman and a ferocious racer. He was 74 years old. I didnt have an answer but I figured that some of you on here would. Okay, Bob, its nearly 30 years later. 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 started out in Stock and moved up to Super Stock. He reached 76 career wins by the end of the season, with 49 of them in the '80s alone. "He gave the inspiration to a lot of people that if you dedicate yourself to something you're gonna be successful at it. He was a 21-time IHRA winner, leading the tour with nine wins and 10 final-round appearances during his 1976 championship season. The passing of \Dyno Don\ Nicholson,Bill \Grumpy\ Jenkins,and now Bob Glidden. So he made the finals three races in a row winning once. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the Glidden family. About Bob Glidden. In recalling his Summernationals triumph, which he attained by defeating the Lombardo-driven Jenkins Monza in the final (8.55 to 8.71), Glidden said, "That was by far the biggest spread that I ever had over the guys in any race that I've ever ran. Iheartradio The Bull, The best of all times. Our calling is to share advice, showcase new ideas and expose risks in the competitive and exciting universe of the internal combustion engine. Legal Statement. He boasted eight wins between 1990 and 1993, and despite having a heart attack in late 1994, he took an 85th and final NHRA Pro Stock victory at Englishtown in 1995. Always the best in my eyes an what a nice tribute to send him off!.RIP Bob Glidden.I have been Dreaming of someday having that Ford HEMI power under my hood..IT WILL HAPPEN!FATSNAKE COBRA IIFOREVER FORD! record at the Supernationals, locking in the season victory. Chrysler ran into the financial rocks heading into the 1980 season so his deal there ended. He spent most of the season chasing points leader Lee Shepherd and the Reher-Morrison Camaro. "We decided that we either had to make the same kind of commitment to racing that he did or get out. 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. wrote in message news:3B45C75A@radiks.net Visit Butcher's Drag pagehttp://dreamwater.com/basca. In '79, the undefeated Fairmont was retired, and Glidden hopped in a Plymouth Arrow where he opened the season with a Winternationals victory. 1, setting low e.t. Rest,In Peace, Bob Glidden. He stopped and took the time to have a photo taken with her and talked with her for a few minutes. Thats a factual statement no matter how outlandish you think it sounds. 10 minutes I still have the pictures from that meet ,people like that are hard to come by these days.. He was dominating with five number one qualifiers, he set low ET a half dozen times during the season and all the while, NHRA rules makers were adding weight to his combo, moving weight from others, and basically playing musical chairs to keep things in balance. Bob graduated from Kennett High School in Conway, N.H. in 1945 and immediately joined the Army Air Corps where he served honorably until 1947. March 3, 2023 2:53 PM PT. Not even speculation about Bob in the media? Bob ran this car at exactly two races, but I saw it in Pomona and fell in love with it. 4 on the list of Top 50 racers from NHRA's first 50 years in 2000. In 1986, Glidden had the worst crash of his racing career, flipping numerous times before sliding to a stop, his car reduced to little more than a cage and an engine. Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Sunday. BOB GLIDDEN 1974 FORD MUSTANG II NHRA Drag Racing Pro Stock Full Color Sticker (#134461145486) n***f (2583) Past month. News, Racing They had a major falling out over themess as well, as Bob admitted both that they did it, and how they did it. Bob Glidden, 1944-2017 NHRA. He did it all himself. Upon his moving to the professional ranks, Glidden quit being a full-time mechanic and sold his two Cobra Jets to buy a Pro Stock Pinto from Wayne Gapp and Jack Roush. That, and a sponsorship package that he felt was unsatisfactory, convinced him to pull the plug on his drag racing operation just two races into the 1997 season. We acknowledge there can be some measure of friction in covering engine technology. One of the greatest drivers in Pro Stock history, Glidden won 85 events and 10 championships in his legendary career. The number 1 pro stock driver of all time. Glidden came out of retirement to drive occasionally through the 2010 season, and although never won again, he left a championship legacy. Nope, he thanked Jerry Haas, the chassis builder as he should have. David Lindley, a multitalented guitarist who was a fixture in Los Angeles recording studios during the 1970s and '80s, died on Friday. He and his trusty Pinto came away with four wins and a runner up. Very sad day indeed,the world has lost a very Great and Humble person,a sport Icon, and mentor to all in the racing community. He got caught when one of the photo's of the carshowed a "Mist" coming from this line going into the injector hat!! what did bob glidden die from. Glidden was beloved by his fans, more so in Johnson County than anywhere else. 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. My deepest condolences go out to Etta and the Glidden family. After coming close in 1980, Shepherd succeeded in stripping Glidden of his title in 1981. With his wife, Etta, and, later in his career, sons Billy and Rusty by his side, the man known as Mad Dog for his tireless work ethic and dominated the class in the late 1970s and 1980s, winning back-to-back season championships in 1974-1975, three in a row (1978-80) and five straight (1985-89), Everyone in the NHRA community is saddened to learn the news of Bobs passing," said NHRA President Peter Clifford. They proceeded to tech the crap out of HIM after that, seemingly in retaliation. Star of 70s TV series On the Buses Bob Grant has been found dead at his home, after apparently committing suicide. He was one of the greats at a great time in the sport . Bob was a genuine hero to me. Hell I couldn't blame him a bit. 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