4 on the list of Top 50 racers from NHRA's first 50 years in 2000. 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. 1983 was another successful season and frankly a dream season for anyone but Bob Glidden. record (8.81) in qualifying and beat Gapp in the final. December 18, 2017 +C $15.65 shipping. It is with great sadness that we bring you this news. He also qualified No. I\ve missed him since he retired. The son of a sharecropper, Glidden lived what many would consider the motorsports equivalent of the American dream. About Bob Glidden. Five championships in a row. That was technology that I didnt intend to pass on. Are you ready for Camping World motorhome racing at the Gatornationals? In 90 I and a friend were taveling north through Indiana . Throughout his career, Glidden almost single-handedly carried the banner for Ford. Glidden went on to win the race, setting low e.t. At the next race, the Summernationals at Englishtown Glidden unveiled his doomsday weapon, the 1978 Ford Fairmont that would become the only undefeated pro stock car in NHRA history. He won 85 events and 10 championships in his career. Anthony Caruso III on December 17, 2017 / 0 comments. I didnt have an answer but I figured that some of you on here would. I agree to receive emails from RacingJunk.com. 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. Where Is Rusty Glidden Now . A true CHAMPION,GENTLEMAN, and THE BEST Pro Stock racer EVER. Bob knew Rusty was using it when Rusty ran the 6 with the Winnibago (sp) car. When Pro Stock racer Bob Glidden retired in 1997 with 85 event victories, he was the winningest driver in NHRA history. He would be out on the flow bench or out in the garage right after dinner on Christmas Day. In a star-studded career that spanned more than 25 years in the class,. Heres the thing to remember about Bob Glidden. Due to his national and divisional success Glidden captured his second NHRA championship in 1975. American drag racing legend Bob Glidden has died at age 73. In a star-studded career that spanned more than 25 years in Pro Stock, Glidden won 85 events, 10 season championships, and was voted No. He was 73. Feb 13, 2021 - Explore sam stoltz's board "Bob Glidden", followed by 311 people on Pinterest. Nothing was considered easy or mundane. 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. We have all seen the video of his famous wreck in Atlanta when wind caught a parachute sending his car hurtling into the guardrail. What else can you say? This includes national and divisional races before turning on the red light at the Mile High Nationals. The Monza was done out of spite, to teach people a lesson. We all suffer with you and Thank You for all you do. 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). 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. Enter Ford who immediately signed him to a factory sponsorship in fear that Glidden would take his talents under the GM umbrella. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1956. Predictably, it was. Rest in peace Bob, you were always a class act racer, my condolences go out to the Glidden family. He was born Feb. 7, 1927 in Dover, N.H., the son of Cecil and Ina (Littlefield) Glidden. Bob Glidden was a driver I always lived loved to hate! As a MoPar guy, and a small block fan, He was the guy who made it work with the Arrow. How Did Bob Glidden Die . Rest in peace. However, this time they'd gone too far and Glidden was prepared to point that out. I meet Mr. Glidden at an NHRA event in Baytown, Tx. 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. NOBODY ever has and NOBODY EVER will go undefeated in one calendar year. The One Love singer shocked the world when he tragically passed away at just 36 years old. Glidden died in Whiteland on December 17, 2017 of colorectal cancer at the age of 73. Bob was born in Windom, MN, the son of Thomas and Helen Gertrude (Putt) Glidden on July 23, 1937. Glidden's Pinto carried him to a come-from-behind victory over rivals Wally Booth and Gapp. >Bob Glidden did not get caught using nitrous oxide..One of his kids, Just what does "pressurize a block" mean? Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Dec. 17. The 1989 season was Glidden's most dominant campaign, in which he won nine times en route to his 10th and final Winston title. I remember reading about Bob\s work ethic. Post author By ; maltese ray physical traits Post date junio 10, 2022; how to wipe imac g5 without disk . I have 4 pro-stock models on my shelf, Bill Jenkins, Ronnie Sox, Lee Shepard, and Bob Glidden. 1987 was another year of dominating numbers with victories aplenty: Eight wins, 10 finals, 14 top-qualifiers, and 42 round wins. That year he was undefeated in divisional competition and won seven national events. But if EngineLabs is to be successful, our prying eyes and ears need to uncover at least a few of the latest and greatest tricks from the engine shops, the aftermarket and leading manufacturers. He turned me on to Pro Stock as a teen. Bob Glidden's '73 and '75 NHRA World Champ 1973 Pinto Pro Stocker. prestel publishing submissions. John Force, of course, did surpass Gliddens totals, but for a long time, Glidden was the man, just as Prudhomme had been. A true drag racer who drove, tuned and engineered. The king of the pro stock class has passed at age 73. Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Sunday. You could very easily get lost with your own changes. In fact it was one of Bob's old Probes, thatnever got close to running a 6 with Bob's legal horsepower under thehood. He was 73. Hot Wheels SNAKE and Mongoose Front Engine Wild Wheelie Dragsters Sticker Small (#144935909952) n***f (2583) Past month. Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from EngineLabs, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE! Kurt Johnson 5/20/94 Englishtown, N.J. 6.988 Darrell Alderman 8/5/94 Kent, Wash. 6.994 Warren Johnson 3/10/95 Houston, Texas 6.981, Bill Glidden 3/12/95 Houston, Texas 6.999, Scott Geoffrion 4/2/95 Gainesville, Fla. 6.985 Jim Yates 9/16/95 Reading, Pa. 6.999 Rickie Smith 5/18/96 Englishtown, N.J. 6.999 Jerry Eckman 8/3/96 Kent, Wash. 6.997 Mark Pawuk 10/26/96 Pomona, Calif. 6.993 Mike Edwards 10/27/96 Pomona, Calif. 6.995 Troy Coughlin 2/1/97 Pomona, Calif. 6.972 Steve Schmidt 3/7/97 Gainesville, Fla. 6.962 Bruce Allen 3/7/97 Gainesville, Fla. 6.978 Ray Franks 3/8/97 Gainesville, Fla. 6.997 George Marnell 3/8/97 Gainesville, Fla. 6.999 Mike Thomas 4/11/97 Commerce, Ga. 6.988, NITRO498 wrote in message. Glidden entered the season finale in Ontario, Calif., trailing Shepherd by two rounds and caught a huge break when Shepherd's transmission broke in the second round. We didn't want to get out.". By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher. Glidden died in Whiteland on December 17, 2017 of colorectal cancer at the age of 73. Then theyd blast off the rust and build a new racecar. May you rest in peace Mr. Glidden, and I call you Mr. because of the respect I have for you. The 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion passed away on Sunday after being hospitalized earlier in the month for an undisclosed illness.. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994. 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. Bob Glidden was so angry that he could have chewed an engine block in half. He was the third most successful drag racer of the professional class drivers (sixth when counting sportsman national event winners). You may not like Fords, and you certainly did not like them when Bob Glidden raced but giving anything but respect to this man is a massive, massive mistake. Nope, he thanked Jerry Haas, the chassis builder as he should have. He put his Probe in the winner's circle one more time, at the Fallnationals, for his 67th career victory. During 1972 he and his wife Etta decided to do what they had always wanted to do, which was to race on a professional level in the NHRAs pro stock category. Glidden retired from full-time racing in 1997 to help with Fords NASCAR engine development. 1997 Ford Pro Stock, Bob Glidden, die cast car, Platinum Series, Limited Edition. Glidden almost became the first driver in a doorslammer to reach 200 miles per hour when he ran 199.11 miles per hour at an International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) race in Darlington, South Carolina. One of the baddest pro stockers to walk the planet. Unfortunately, but predictably, many in the industry will charge that were not a friend of the profession; but rather, we are the axis of evil and will seek to expose proprietary intelligence that is more classified than the CocaCola formula. Digital mapping, computer modeling and CNC machines all but ensure that if a secret does get out, it will be replicated within hours. Watch; S p o n s o r e d. NHRA 1995 Bob Glidden Quality Care Ford Probe Pro Stock DRacing Track Handout. Bob Glidden won 10 NHRA Pro Stock championships in his 25-year career in the drag racing series. Yesterday, we had two very special guests at bo-mar: Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden & his wife Etta! Glidden won 85 NHRA National Events. "When we started hiring outside people, it was really our downfall," admits Glidden. 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. I walk up to him and after a few minutes of chatting, i tell him the story of the the spark plug To my amazement, he remembered! 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. During this time in NHRA history, racers ran both divisional and national events to gain points. Im at a loss to express my dismay and sense of loss. in nine national events with his Ford Fairmont in 1978, so it was shocking that. Sure there were the flirtations with a Chevrolet in 1976 at Indy and the record-setting season of 1979 in a Mopar, but for the most part, the cagey veteran from Whiteland, Ind., was always a dyed-in-the-wool Blue Oval man. Not even speculation about Bob in the media? And Bob made Rusty own up to it, or stay away from the family. His 9.03 e.t. His potent and competitive Ford combination had been hit yet another time by the pounds-per-cubic inch parity regulators. Drag racing lost a true icon. The rules said they couldnt acid dip the body to reduce weight. Bob Glidden, drag racing legend and 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion, died Dec. 17. Glidden was beloved by his fans, more so in Johnson County than anywhere else. No longer wanting to manage more than 20 possible variations of different engine sizes and vehicle wheelbases, the NHRA in 1982 set down one formula: 500 cubic inches and 2,350-pound minimum weight. The tributes to NHRA Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden, who died Dec. 17, 2017, poured in during the 64th Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Brownsburg. Copyright 2023 BangShift LLC. He was a true competitor who left a lasting legacy of excellence both on and off the track. aerodynamic Ford Probe advantage. They had a major falling out over themess as well, as Bob admitted both that they did it, and how they did it. So Bob got caught, but there was no fuss made of it by NHRA? Bob Glidden's opinion on engine stands 11-02-2016, 10:44 AM. He was 73. 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. 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. R.I.P. 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 He won three major events, two of which were the Spring and U.S. Nationals. 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. No acid involved in this process. MY FAMILY MET BOB AND ETTA AT LANCASTER SPEEDWAY IN 95.IT WAS A MATCH RACE THAT WAS RAINED OUT.THEY SPENT A LONG TIME WITH US-TOTAL STRANGERS .BOB MODESTLY TOLD US HIS RACING CAREER AND ABOUT HIS WIFE. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Bob Glidden Net Worth . 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. My condolences to Etta and the family. or Best Offer. what did bob glidden die from. I know that I have to hustle to win and that I have to go all out to afford to race.". Bob ran this car at exactly two races, but I saw it in Pomona and fell in love with it. Humble and relentless at its best. BOB Marley touched the lives of millions of fans through his reggae music. After a skin-of-the-teeth victory over Butch Leal in the semi-finals in Atlanta, Glidden's parachute didn't deploy correctly. He finished second to Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins at the Supernationals in his new ride, his Pro Stock debut. What was the big secret? With that success he managed a second place finish in the standings behind the one and only Dyno Don Nicholson. He was 74 years old. Time left 12h 35m left. EngineLabs is launching this week with the objective of analyzing the many avenues of engine technology, especially racing and street performance. If there was a singular season that summed up the life and times of Bob Glidden it was 1986. Bob Perkins got a little collection of NOS spare parts he have found at dealers. I was a big Bob Glidden fan back in the Pinto days. That car came into its own during the second half of the year and he appeared in the Indy finals and won the World Finals to close the season and give everyone a taste of what was to come. His last real competitive pass came in 2003, and he did return to the track in 2010 to consult with another team. Ancuf Stock Forecast, All rights reserved. Bob Glidden's Willie Rells 1988 Ford Probe. when we were at seattle he was always willing to spend time talking clevelands still using his oiling and porting ideas today . Iheartradio The Bull, I started with a stock 92 Thunderbird SC kit and a Cutlass PS kit. 10. 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. Go Gliddens! Bob Glidden (August 18, 1944 December 17, 2017) was an American drag racer. He started out in Stock and moved up to Super Stock. Glidden won 85 NHRA National Events. They proceeded to tech the crap out of HIM after that, seemingly in retaliation. Aug 18, 1944 Whiteland, Indiana, United States Died on 17 Dec 2017 (aged 73) American racing driver. from United States. Glidden, Johnson, Jenkins the reason I NEVER left door cars and carbsRIP sir. Bob. 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? Glidden, who died Monday at age 73, was a 10-time NHRA champion with a then-record 85 wins when he retired in 1997. 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. Something tells us that the next time you hear a thunderstorm in the distance it may actually sound like a screaming Ford Fairmont with a skinny guy from Indiana behind the wheel, shifting the Lenco as the car hurtles down the big strip in the sky to a win light. 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. 1987 was more ridiculous domination. Bob was a force to be reckoned with in his Pinto & Fairmont. Gliddens reputation for secrecy, of course, was memorialized following his wild finish-line crash at Atlanta in 1986. 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! He quickly beat his own e.t. A truly class act. He was 74 years old. or Best Offer +$11.90 shipping I didnt want them to gain any edge, and thats what its all about.. Glidden began his drag racing career in the 1960s in a Ford 427 Fairlane. Condolences to you and your family. My condolences to his family. She understood the excitement and thrill of the fans. RIP Bob Glidden.You\ve been my favorite since the first time I ever saw you! Surely will be missed by all who follow the sport. That was a never ending deal.. and top speed in his final-round victory over Frank Iaconio. And Bob made Rusty own up to it, or stay away from thefamily. If you have something to share let us know. He retired early into the 1997 campaign. He campaigned a series of 427 Fairlanes before switching to the more. Bob Glidden, drag racing legend and 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion, died Dec. 17. I remember the tale of them stripping and sandblasting a Pinto unibody, then leaving it outside to rust. 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. 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. 1970 Ford Mustang SCJ428 - Candy Apple Red Metallic 1 of 504 (Highway 61) 1/18. Glidden remains one of the most decorated quarter-mile racers in history. Bob was very good for drag racing as were a lot of the drivers at that time. He was 73 years old, and passed away after a brief bout of illness. record (8.81) in qualifying and beat Gapp in the final. 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. <p> Glidden's Plymouth Arrow</p>. Death Date: His legacy will continue to inspire racers of all stripes for years to come. Were losing the great ones in the sport :^(. "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. We'll send you raw engine tech articles, news, features, and videos every week from EngineLabs. Bob was among the best builders and drivers in the sport. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. R.I.P. NHRA, FOX see positive television numbers following season kickoff in Gainesville, Top Fuel's Terry McMillen remains determined to return soon for 2021 season, Pomona event postponed to later date; racing continues in Las Vegas, NHRA Launch puts motorsports positions at job seeker's fingertips, Darrell Gwynn, Paul Lee join to donate a $25,000 wheelchair at Gatornationals, Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Sunday Preview. I hired them to get work done but all our information kept getting passed on. Glidden won 10 NHRA Drag Racing championships and 85 events in his 25-year career in Pro Stock. He also triumphed in Bowling Green Kentucky in the final of Division 3, where he was awarded an extra 400 points after setting a national e.t. Forward to 2011 and I see him in pits in Phoenix again. I want to express my deepest sympathy to his wife and boys. record at 7.277, the quickest Pro Stock run in NHRA history, at the Supernationals, which he won to clinch the championship in the car's debut. Ertl MIC Diecast No. This did not lend it self kindly to Gliddens program at the time. He also qualified No. 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. 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 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. he was bad ass. It came as a shock this Monday morning to learn that drag racing legend Bob Glidden had passed away on Sunday evening. It's determined by the amount of wor. 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. Once he realized he wasn't. Looked justlike a fire system line. Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Sunday. Glidden's 1988 Winston championship, his ninth, followed a similar script. 2023 Power Automedia. A lady fan walked up and asked for his autograph. He was 73-years-old. He also qualified No. He will be missed. John Force, left, celebrates Bob Glidden's induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. He woke up every morning with a drive to succeed and a nagging fear of failure in the back of his head. The car rolled six times but the funnycar roll cage surrounding him held together. Legal Statement. 5 product ratings - Revell Kit 7167 1/24 Bob Gliddens Motorcraft Thunderbird Pro Stock Open. See more ideas about bob glidden, drag racing cars, glidden. 4 ranking on its Top 50 drivers of the sanctioning bodys first 50 years. For those who raced with him on local streets many decades ago, when he and his friends put every spare dollar they. My thoughts and prayers to his family. Yeah, Glidden had hoards of fans wherever he raced. As I wrap my mind around the fact that Bob has passed from this world, it\s important for me to say that he was much more than a legend he was my friend, he was my brother. News, Racing What did Bob Glidden die from? LOL. Glidden won nine of 19 races and appeared in the vast majority of the final rounds. 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. We may earn money from the links on this page. He was 73. If You Could Choose Any Car To Build Into The Ultimate Pro Touring Machine, What Would It Be. The was a man on an absolute mission. Your email address will not be published. and top speed, and winning the race. Unlike his previous years, he started the season strong. Bob "Xman" Williams#2096 Super Streetanother SRA member"Chance Favors the Prepared Mind". 50 rounds of competition in a row. In pro stock. Mark. He was 73 years old, and passed away after a brief bout of illness. 10 bids +$9.10 shipping. Other accolades include back-to-back championships in 1974 and '75, three from '78-'80, and five championships in a row from 1985-'89. 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. I heard it caused a lot of stress for the entire Gliddenfamily, because of Bob's hard line on the cheating issue. "He was a true competitor who left a lasting legacy of excellence both on and off the track. RIP Bob. The man was a legend not just because of his incredible performances on the track and the career numbers that he amassed. what did bob glidden die from. 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 . Even with the simplest things, theres no point in feeding your competitors any information, period, explains Glidden, now 68 years old. Again, email us at[emailprotected]. MR. BOB GLIDDEN will be missed, what can you say when such great people pass? The hefty roll cage provides maximum driver protection and ties the front and rear sections into one extremely rigid unit. I saw Gildden at one of woodburn dragstrips pro stock nationals in Oregon about 1989 he whooped WJs ass with a 7.277 to a 7.279 everyone razzed the professor when wj wasnt off sulking and refusing autographs mr.Bob was giving EVERYONE a e ticket tour of his car including a kid with ms that he let sit in the car for prob. Link: :: rag Racing Online:::InnerVIEW - Bob Glidden - 12/09/08 . It has a photo of him working on a engine on the floor. Nothing but RESPECT for the whole GLIDDEN Family, Etta, Rusty, Billy, Shannon, the whole gang. Top Rated Seller. He ran even quicker at the season-ending Supernationals, where he reset his e.t. This didn't keep the Reher-Morrison guys down for long as they came back to win all four titles from 1981 to 1984. In 1972, he turned professional driving a Pro Stock Pinto previously campaigned by Wayne Gapp and Jack Roush. He crawled out, staggered once, noticed the hood was gone, took off his jacket and covered his home made intake manifold. HUGE THANKS. C $5.87. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Bob Glidden was one such person for me. Actually, MTX, you're correct the supposed way this was accomplished was by"gun drilling" the motor plates, and hiding the solenoids inside the cagetubing. 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. But there are other factors, the least of which is the practice of reverse engineering. I stretched the nose of the Thunderbird, smoothed out the bumpers, lengthened the hood, and added the scoop and wing. Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Dec. 17. This is probably one of the reasons he's sworn off drag racing. His career accomplishments are nearly superhuman with one of the most incredible stats being that the man appeared in the finals of the US Nationals 13 times IN A ROW. In 74 Gliddens very first full season in Pro Stock he won three major events and the Winston championship. He was surrounded by his loving family. Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Sunday. 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. When you look at the history books those guys were like prize fighters trading blows and wins back and forth.