Bob ran this car at exactly two races, but I saw it in Pomona and fell in love with it. The friend took us a small detour off I-65 We came up on a big pole barn with a nice office built on it and a huge Ford semi prostock trans porter. 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. David Lindley, a multitalented guitarist who was a fixture in Los Angeles recording studios during the 1970s and '80s, died on Friday. Bob Glidden was a driver I always lived loved to hate! he was bad ass. I took my 2 nephews, and he signed autograph for them and put him arms around them when we took pictures. In 2001, the NHRA honored him with the No. I was a big Bob Glidden fan back in the Pinto days. He was voted #4 all time on NHRAs Top 50 list during the 50th anniversary season of the organizations existence. My condolences to his family. In a situation that would become all to familiar to him during his pro stock career, Glidden became such a focus of rules makers and fellow competitors that his car was torn down at every available opportunity. After hitting the opposite guardrail, the car barrel-rolled six times and was destroyed. and top speed, and winning the race. He was a self-made man who left his job as a mechanic at a Ford dealership to go racing full-time with a dream, a tireless work ethic and a winning determination.. He was my favorite. He was born Feb. 7, 1927 in Dover, N.H., the son of Cecil and Ina (Littlefield) Glidden. Glidden earned the nickname Mad Dog due to his intense work ethic. In fact it was one of Bob's old Probes, thatnever got close to running a 6 with Bob's legal horsepower under thehood. Legal Statement. Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Dec. 17. He was the third most successful drag racer of the professional class drivers (sixth when counting sportsman national event winners). His domination of the Pro Stock class set the bar high for other competitors and he will go down as one of the greats in the sport of drag racing. Glidden was the number one qualifier AT EVERY RACE. I briefly met them at MIR, and their enthusiasm. Ford Motor Company Director Edsel B. Ford II said of Glidden for me, Bob represented what drag racing was all about during his era. The whole 1986 season had been a disappointment to that point and people were wondering what would become of Glidden. I taught and coached Bob Glidden's son, Rusty, when he was in the 7th grade. He won the Summernationals, he won the Le Grandnational in Montreal, he won Indy, he won the Fallnationals, and he closed the deal out by winning the World Finals. record at the Supernationals, locking in the season victory. 50 rounds of competition in a row. The former mechanic went on to claim nine more titles through 1989 and retired in 1995 with a total of 85 event wins, the most ever by a driver at the time. We are born to a certain family and then there are those who become family. Glidden began his drag racing career in the 1960s in a Ford 427 Fairlane. 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. Bob Glidden Health . He retired from driving in 1997, going to work on Fords NASCAR engine development program, but was back behind the wheel by 98, driving a Pontiac in the U.S. Nationals. Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Dec. 17. He also qualified No. We didn't want to get out.". He was 74 years old. NHRA'S 50 GREATEST DRIVERS -- NO. Such a dominant person in the Pro Stock wars. Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy. 1983 was another successful season and frankly a dream season for anyone but Bob Glidden. His wife, Etta Glidden, was his crew chief with both of their sons by her side. He then won the fall nationals and the World Finals beating Wayne Gapp and Bill Jenkins at those events. Bob graduated from Kennett High School in Conway, N.H. in 1945 and immediately joined the Army Air . He actually dominated harder in the Plymouth. Remember, Ford was not giving Glidden factory support so he was beholden to no one but himself. If I'm not mistaken, this was way before Bader. He crawled out, staggered once, noticed the hood was gone, took off his jacket and covered his home made intake manifold. You could see it in her eyes. 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. 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. Aug 18, 1944 Whiteland, Indiana, United States Died on 17 Dec 2017 (aged 73) American racing driver. RIP Bob Glidden.You\ve been my favorite since the first time I ever saw you! He also qualified No. I want to express my deepest sympathy to his wife and boys. NHRA legend and ten-time Pro Stock champion Bob Mad Dog Glidden passed away yesterday (December 17, 2017) at the age of 73. what did bob glidden die from 10. The 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion passed away on Sunday after being hospitalized earlier in the month for an undisclosed illness.. It was the Glidden and Shepherd show through the entire 1980 season. The worm turned for Glidden during the 1984 season when he debuted the aerodynamic Thunderbird. Thank you for all your accomplishments to the sport and my condolences go out to the Glidden family. from United States. Throughout his career, Glidden almost single-handedly carried the banner for Ford. I've been reading some of my old car magazines and in a 1980 Super Stock & Drag Illustrated they did a couple articles on BG and in one it said that in their very well equipped 7000 square foot shop one thing you don't see is a single engine stand. 1978 was a huge year for Glidden. In our lives some people pass through, but others are permanent. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1956. RIP. I think it was Weld, but either way there was a wheel with a signature decal on one of the 5 spokes. Morgan offered Glidden the ride after he crashed the Pontiac. 1987 was more ridiculous domination. American drag racing legend Bob Glidden has died at age 73. He even conceded that many of his competitors knew far more about the internal-combustion engine than he did, but none of them had his will to win. Well that blows. Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message, Don't get me wrong I admire people like Bob Glidden and I look at Drag, Bob Glidden did not get caught using nitrous oxide..One of his kids, I think that was Billy at Gainesville,driving the winnebago, what is the scoop about Scotty Cannon pressurizing the block with nitrous, You do not have permission to delete messages in this group. Forward to 2011 and I see him in pits in Phoenix again. Nitro Member. Glidden came out of retirement to drive occasionally through the 2010 season, and although never won again, he left a championship legacy. His final win was at the Mopar Parts Nationals in 1995. The following year, Glidden broke through for his first NHRA national event victory, at the U.S. Nationals, where he paced the quickest-ever Pro Stock field with a 9.03 at a national record 152.54 mph and defeated fellow Ford racer Gapp in the final. Bob Glidden's Willie Rells 1988 Ford Probe. By Stephen Thomas Erlewine. I remember being 4 years old and watching Bob work on the car in the pits in Phoenix. As someone else pointed out, its very rare for someone to be that successful with two different brands at the professional level. Condolences to you and your family. A Ford campaigner from the beginning, Glidden's success in Pro Stock stemmed from his apprenticeship in Stock and Super Stock. Kind,Loving and Supportive Thoughts to the Glidden Family. A year ago, Billy Glidden found himself battered, bruised, and a bit stunned after making his first test hit of the 2017 season. The man was a legend not just because of his incredible performances on the track and the career numbers that he amassed. He was 73. And Bob made Rusty own up to it, or stay away from thefamily. With that success he managed a second place finish in the standings behind the one and only Dyno Don Nicholson. Looked justlike a fire system line. record and speed of 8.83 at 154.90. Bob Glidden, drag racing legend and 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion, died Dec. 17. He also qualified No. A cross-pollinating workforce, as Glidden noted, is partly responsible for fewer secrets within the industry. As a Ford guy growing up in the Diamond P sports era he like a super hero. A self-taught mechanic who overhauled a broken family tractor at age 12 because he was the only person not working in the fields, he went onto a career as a Ford mechanic where he not only excelled in the garage but also in sportsman racing promoting the very dealership he worked for, Ed Martin Ford. He was 73. 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.". Bob Glidden's '73 and '75 NHRA World Champ 1973 Pinto Pro Stocker. He was a very nice guy, He will be missed. What did Bob Glidden die from? He finished second to Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins at the Supernationals in his new ride, his Pro Stock debut. Glidden died in Whiteland on December 17, 2017 of colorectal cancer at the age of 73. This performance was called total domination. Bob, and condolences to the family. He did it all himself. Nope, he thanked Jerry Haas, the chassis builder as he should have. One need not look to the current arrangement(s) and new rules governing Pro Stock; one only needs to know that with these passings of the Legends,. He campaigned a series of 427 Fairlanes before switching to the more. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items! In 1975, it's safe to say Glidden dominated Pro Stock, clinching seven wins, five number-one qualifiers, eight top speeds, and six low e.t. One of the most fortified cornerstones of any engine programwhether at the OEMs, on a major race team or in a weekend warriors garageis secrecy. Bob will be missed! Bob Glidden's ever trusty Ford Fairmont was a workhorse pro stock. 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. Lough Ramor Fly Fishing, Share this: Watch; S p o n s o r e d. NHRA 1995 Bob Glidden Quality Care Ford Probe Pro Stock DRacing Track Handout. We met Bob and family at Memphis in the late 80\s, he was a lot of fun to talk to and very focused on the task at hand, he was a very approachable racer that always had time for an admiring fan. Avery Finnivan The smile on her face said it all. His wife Etta and sons Billy and Rusty provided invaluable support in his driving efforts, and his will to win and tireless commitment carried him across the finish line in first countless times. Bob Glidden was one such person for me. I didnt have an answer but I figured that some of you on here would. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994. 1997 Ford Pro Stock, Bob Glidden, die cast car, Platinum Series, Limited Edition. I remember the tale of them stripping and sandblasting a Pinto unibody, then leaving it outside to rust. He drove his new car, a Ford Probe, to a national e.t. I think Bob was the greatest drag racer ever, next to Big Daddy. Bob Glidden Born (1944-04-18)April 18, 1944 Whiteland, Indiana Died December 17, 2017(2017-12-17)(aged 73) Whiteland, Indiana Occupation Drag racer Spouse(s) Etta Glidden Children Rusty and Billy See something missing? Back to Login. and top speed in his final-round victory over Frank Iaconio. All Rights Reserved. The success of todays Greg Anderson is not entirely unlike that of a certain Midwestern kid with an unshakable will to win that started breaking backs in Pro Stock three decades ago. The best that I could figure was that it probably had something to do with cylinder heads. Glidden won 85 NHRA National Events. Bob, I love you my brother and I will see you again my friend. I had the good fortune to see Bob win at the Molson Grandnational in \78. 1, setting low e.t. Bob "Xman" Williams#2096 Super Streetanother SRA member"Chance Favors the Prepared Mind". 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. No, it is mind boggling. 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). 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. It came as a shock this Monday morning to learn that drag racing legend Bob Glidden had passed away on Sunday evening. May they carry on the legacy of their family and strength of their Dad. 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. The Pro Stock secrecy veil is so obvious in the drag racing pits when compared to the other pro classes. Late in the 1978 season, in the midst of completely devastating the competition in the Fairmont, Glidden was approached by Chrysler and offered a sponsorship deal to compete in a Plymouth Arrow for 1979. But there are other factors, the least of which is the practice of reverse engineering. >Bob Glidden did not get caught using nitrous oxide..One of his kids, Just what does "pressurize a block" mean? You can squawk about the high-stakes involved in Formula 1 and sports car prototypes, but the ultra-close racing in Pro Stock over the years indicates there is a very high-octane rivalry yet competitive balance going on between the major engine builders. After the Mile High Nationals? About Bob Glidden. Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Dec. 17. He is most closely associated with Ford cars, a manufacturer that he used throughout his career, except in 1979, winning the world championship in a Plymouth Arrow. 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. Billy, continue carrying the banner! Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. By Douglas Herzog on Friday, November 25, 2011 at 1:08 PM. After barrel rolling six or seven times, Glidden crawled out of the rollcage and shrugged off the safety crew only to remove his fire jacket and place it over the intake manifold. Feb 13, 2021 - Explore sam stoltz's board "Bob Glidden", followed by 311 people on Pinterest. Unlike his 1979 championship season, Glidden won his third straight and fifth title in 1980 in dramatic fashion. "Everyone in the NHRA community is saddened to learn the news of Bob's passing," NHRA President Peter Clifford said. six times, and he did it with three different cars, including his old '74 Pinto, which he reacquired after a midseason slump. 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. This happened under Satan's, I mean, Billy Meyer's, Larry Heath has it exactly right. R.I.P Bob. I agree to receive emails from RacingJunk.com. Glidden also had a 42 round win streak, you now, because thats what the guy did. December 18, 2017 Glidden started the season of 1978 in his Pinto winning the Winternationals, pulling a runner up at the Gatornationals, and then winning the Cajun Nationals. at 152.54 mph was enough to beat Wayne Gapp in the final round. Goaliath Basketball System Canada, He was the man to beat in pro stock in the late 80s. I\ve missed him since he retired. In 94, Glidden was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, and he took his place in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005. Nothing but RESPECT for the whole GLIDDEN Family, Etta, Rusty, Billy, Shannon, the whole gang. After a transmission failure in round two of the finals caused Shepherd to withdraw from competition, Glidden went on to win the championship yet again. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Nothing was taken for granted. The passing of \Dyno Don\ Nicholson,Bill \Grumpy\ Jenkins,and now Bob Glidden. American drag racing legend Bob Glidden has died at age 73. What did Bob Glidden die from? We are always looking for good bang shifty stories, projects, photos & videos. From the start of his career, racing was always a family affair. On Friday, July 6, 2001 at 9:12:42 AM UTC-5. Lighter than the Ford and making scads of power through his genius as an engine man, Glidden did something that today seems thoroughly impossible. Glidden retired from full-time racing in 1997 to help with Ford's NASCAR engine development. He campaigned a series of 427 Fairlanes before switching to the more potent 428 Cobra Jet Mustangs in 1968. By NHRA.com (Whiteland, IN) -- Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died on Sunday. That was one gnarly Shoebox ! BOB GLIDDEN 1974 FORD MUSTANG II NHRA Drag Racing Pro Stock Full Color Sticker (#134461145486) n***f (2583) Past month. He ran even quicker at the season-ending Supernationals, where he reset his e.t. Other than a pressure cooling, I was wondering about this "pressurized block" thing too You want, I don't know, thats why I was asking you guys , sounded kinda stupid to me, what i think he mean's is the nitros was plumbed through the block to hide it, >what i think he mean's is the nitros was plumbed through the block to hide it, The Wayne County team did indeed get caught with NOS in their carsIt was, On Sat, 14 Jul 2001 09:01:49 -0700, "Ron Zeppin", << He got caught when one of the photo's of the car, Might be BSLike I said, I got it second hand, but the guy I got it from. Death Date: 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. A career Ford man, Glidden made a small comeback during the 2010 season, entering several races in a Pro Stock Mustang. Bob is my Hero. He started out in Stock and moved up to Super Stock. In honor of the Glidden family after Bob's passing on Sunday, December 17, we respectfully chose to re-run this Richard Brady Remember When column from our September 2017 printed issue highlighting Brady's years visiting and photographing the many-time champion. Well said Sammy. A winner of 85 Pro Stock races and 10 NHRA championships, Glidden developed and built his own engines with the help of wife Etta and his two sons, Billy and Rusty. 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. or Best Offer +$11.90 shipping Yesterday, we had two very special guests at bo-mar: Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden & his wife Etta! John Force, of course, did surpass Gliddens totals, but for a long time, Glidden was the man, just as Prudhomme had been. Ertl MIC Diecast No. I imagine we ran bigger ports than anyone else, but I dont have a clue what the other people ran.. The first major chapters in the Glidden book may be done but the family story still continues to add chapters. Amazingly, Glidden won the title by the slimmest of margins that year over Lee Shepherd, his main rival and a man who would make life both interesting and difficult for Bob over the next half decade. (12-6), Lee Shepherd (10-9), and Frank Iaconio (8-5). 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. Hell I couldn't blame him a bit. Wrenchski Large editor/Editor at large Nitronic Research-Drag Racing's definitive websiteWWW.NITRONIC.COM"I'm gonna have fun if it kills us all"(remove spleen to e-mail). How Did Bob Glidden Die . Between the truck, the trailer, the car, and a spare engine with parts they had $18,000 invested in what they hoped would be their future. Getting back on the horse after such a crash wasn't hard for him though, because a month later he returned in a new Thunderbird to the Cajun Nationals. Our thoughts, prayer, and deepest condolences are with the Glidden family at this difficult time.". He was 73. While Glidden would not collect another NHRA championship after 1989 he continued winning multiple events a year for several years. He would be out on the flow bench or out in the garage right after dinner on Christmas Day. 1974 was his second season in the Pro Stock field and the first of a two-in-a-row championship win. I wanted to know more about this unique dynamic, so I called Bob Glidden, Pro Stocks winningest driver and certainly its most celebrated guardian of the secret manifesto. Other accolades include back-to-back championships in 1974 and '75, three from '78-'80, and five championships in a row from 1985-'89. In 1974 he won the Springnationals, and in the final three races he had a runner up in Canada at Le Grandnational, then he won Indy, then he won the World Finals. He went on to work with Ford, developing engines for their NASCAR Winston Cup program. 4 on the list of top 50 drivers released by the NHRA in 2000. Tom Sizemore, the powerful character actor known for his roles in films including Saving Private Ryan, Natural Born Killers, Heat, Black Hawk Down, and Pearl Harbor, has died at the age of 61. HOULTON -- Robert (Bob) L. Glidden Sr., 83, died following a brief illness on Feb. 16, 2010, in a Bangor Hospital. Bob Glidden, who died Sunday at 73, won 85 Pro Stock national events and 10 season championships and was a fixture on the SoCal drag racing scene. Images courtesy of Ford Motor Co. We didnt attempt major changes, adds Glidden, who was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005 and is ranked Number 4 on the NHRAs Top 50 Driver list. Rest in peace. He won the last five in succession and reached the final 10 times. Register He put his Probe in the winner's circle one more time, at the Fallnationals, for his 67th career victory. Bob was a force to be reckoned with in his Pinto & Fairmont. The 340 based small block in the Plymouth was a godsend for Glidden. Pro Stock drag racing is one of the most secretive motorsport disciplines, at least in pit ritual. The 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion passed away on Sunday after being hospitalized earlier in the month for an undisclosed illness. On Sunday, December 17, Glidden died at age 73, after being admitted to an Indianapolis hospital for an undisclosed illness on December 5. I hired them to get work done but all our information kept getting passed on. Iheartradio The Bull, 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. That year he was undefeated in divisional competition and won seven national events. Always my favorite to watch. Although I saw him race ( and win!) We have all seen the video of his famous wreck in Atlanta when wind caught a parachute sending his car hurtling into the guardrail. He was dominate. 10 bids +$9.10 shipping. Ancuf Stock Forecast, Nothing was considered easy or mundane. Glidden won 85 NHRA National E or redistributed. He . He stumbled out of the car and immediately covered the intake manifold (or what was left of it) with his fire jacked to protect the design and not allow any competitors to see it. He was acting as crew chief for Larry Morgan(I believe that\s correct). 1976 was a down year for Glidden and one where he actually raced a Chevroletfor one race. record (8.81) in qualifying and beat Gapp in the final. 4 on the list of Top 50 racers from NHRA's first 50 years in 2000. Are you ready for Camping World motorhome racing at the Gatornationals?