Iheartradio The Bull, Following high school he enlisted in the United States Navy. Robert Bob Glidden, 78, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, MN. Well a month later he was at the Cajun Nationals and while it took him until Denver to win a race, he went on to win six of the last seven events of the year and he collected another NHRA championship. In 1985, Glidden led the points chase from start to finish, winning five national events. I remember reading about Bob\s work ethic. He was an American drag racer. I remember when he crashed at Fremont, his car lay on its side. RIP. six times, and he did it with three different cars, including his old '74 Pinto, which he reacquired after a midseason slump. 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. Condolences to you and your family. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, All logos and images are reserved. May you race in piece Mr Glidden. American drag racing legend Bob Glidden has died at age 73. He did it all himself. He also qualified No. Till we meet again R.I.P. Saw Mr. Glidden at Memphis several years ago. Just like the good old days. And sadly,those memories of Bob Glidden and Christmas Day will now be of when he left us and this earth. I think Bob was the greatest drag racer ever, next to Big Daddy. 10 minutes I still have the pictures from that meet ,people like that are hard to come by these days.. Bob die $31.50. 1 at a record 23 consecutive races, including all 14 events in 1987. 10 bids +$9.10 shipping. The success of today's Greg Anderson is not entirely unlike that of a certain Midwestern kid with an unshakable will to win that started breaking backs in . About Bob Glidden. Prayers for Bob and family. 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. He did the same thing at all four of his divisional races. Bob Glidden, the 10-time NHRA pro stock champion, an IHRA pro stock champion, a native of Whiteland, Indiana, and one of the greatest drag racers of all time has died at age 73, surrounded by his family. 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. John Force, of course, did surpass Gliddens totals, but for a long time, Glidden was the man, just as Prudhomme had been. 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. Once he realized he wasn't. 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. My info coming from an IHRA pro stock, I think it was Bill that nitroused the probe that he was running. His last real competitive pass came in 2003, and he did return to the track in 2010 to consult with another team. Here's a list of highlights from Bob "Mad Dog" Glidden's career: Before going pro in 1972, Glidden had great success in different Ford Fairlanes and even more so in 427 Cobra Jet Mustangs with sponsorship from Ed Martin Ford. The car rolled six times but the funnycar roll cage surrounding him held together. He was retired from Pro Stock racing in 1997 and returned in 2010. May they carry on the legacy of their family and strength of their Dad. 1970 Ford Boss 429 Mustang - Grabber Blue (Highway 61) 1/18. No press>coverage either. 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. Glidden was the NHRA's biggest winner until Force came along. It is a comeback story, it is a perseverance story, it is an amazing story. He appeared in every final round of the season, winning three out of five. He was a 21-time IHRA winner, leading the tour with nine wins and 10 final-round appearances during his 1976 championship season. "Everyone in the NHRA community is saddened to learn the news of Bob's passing," NHRA President Peter Clifford said. I briefly met them at MIR, and their enthusiasm. In a star-studded career that spanned more than 25 years in the class, Glidden won 85 events and 10 season championships. Got his autograph on T Bird model of his car I made at the 85 Summernationals. What would the cameras have seen? He turned me on to Pro Stock as a teen. Thats what started at Indy in 1984. 1 five times, posted top speed eight times, and set low e.t. 1, setting low e.t. "When we started hiring outside people, it was really our downfall," admits Glidden. This performance was called total domination. December 18, 2017 According to NHRA's website,Bob Glidden will drive Larry Morgan's Dodge RT. Brand New. After a slump in 1976 and clawing back up to the podium in 1977, Glidden took back the crown in 1978, collecting 16,035 points and claiming several victories not only in his trusty Pinto, but in his Ford Fairmont (a car that was later undefeated). He stopped and took the time to have a photo taken with her and talked with her for a few minutes. It is with great sadness that we bring you this news. Time left 12h 35m left. Aug 18, 1944 Whiteland, Indiana, United States Died on 17 Dec 2017 (aged 73) American racing driver. Unlike his previous years, he started the season strong. 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. NHRA'S 50 GREATEST DRIVERS -- NO. Glidden ear 2021 FOX News Network, LLC. RIP Bob you were the greatest. Photo courtesy of Pro Set Racing trading cards. Our car experts choose every product we feature. Bob Glidden Health . R.I.P. 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 was surrounded by his loving family. Drag racing lost a true icon. Dec 9, 2008 #4 Its funny how he actually had to put nitrous in his car and show the NHRA to proove that people could do it and hide it . The Pro Stock secrecy veil is so obvious in the drag racing pits when compared to the other pro classes. In pro stock. 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. What else can you say? 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. He was in 10 of 14 finals and won the last five races of the year for his 8th title. Such a dominant person in the Pro Stock wars. Glidden retired from full-time racing in 1997 to help with Fords NASCAR engine development. When all was said and done, Glidden had tied Don Prudhomme for most national event wins in a season with seven, including five straight, and had broken the Pro Stock single-season record of six set by Jenkins in 1972. He took some time off from racing after that, save for a few appearances in his son Billys small-tire Mustangs, but returned yet again in 2010. This did not lend it self kindly to Gliddens program at the time. Glidden won 85 NHRA National E or redistributed. Insanely, 1979 was better. HOULTON -- Robert (Bob) L. Glidden Sr., 83, died following a brief illness on Feb. 16, 2010, in a Bangor Hospital. That commitment resulted in four consecutive Winston championships for the Reher-Morrison team (1981-1984), but the satisfaction of claiming their fourth title was tempered somewhat by the fact that they no longer had the quickest car in the country. Our calling is to share advice, showcase new ideas and expose risks in the competitive and exciting universe of the internal combustion engine. They sold the Mustangs, the Fairlane, and whatever else they had to rase the money and bought a Pinto from Gapp and Roush. 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). Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Dec. 17. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994. and top speed, and winning the race. After that crash in 1984 at Atlanta, he earned my utmost respect. Bob, I love you my brother and I will see you again my friend. Ive even seen beer cartons taped around intake manifolds (at least it was the teams sponsor!). The relative unknown from Indiana traveled to the NHRA Supernationals in California, the final event of the 1972 season and managed a runner up finish to Bill Jenkins in his first ever pro stock race. Were losing the great ones in the sport :^(. Bob ran this car at exactly two races, but I saw it in Pomona and fell in love with it. 4: BOB GLIDDEN Bob Glidden did not have any special training or a degree in mechanical engineering. Glidden won seven times in 1975, including at the Winternationals, Gatornationals, Fallnationals, and World Finals, to capture his second consecutive Winston title. "We finally got tired of losing and of Glidden winning so easily," said Buddy Morrison. Bob Glidden leaves behind one of the most decorated legacies in NHRA and motorsports history. he was bad ass. Owners,drivers and engine builders such as Bob are pretty much gone ,and well missed . The greatest Ford racer of all time. Juni 2022. We'll send you raw engine tech articles, news, features, and videos every week from EngineLabs. Are you ready for Camping World motorhome racing at the Gatornationals? The Winnebago car that Billy drove was a Pontiac owned by Harold Stout. Nothing was taken for granted. A Ford campaigner from the beginning, Glidden's success in Pro Stock stemmed from his apprenticeship in Stock and Super Stock. Glidden won 85 NHRA National Events. By Jerry Bonkowski Dec 18, 2017, 6:03 PM EST. I didnt have an answer but I figured that some of you on here would. Top Rated Plus . Played several Saturday morning basketball pickup games with Bob at the high school that school year, 1980-81. That was one gnarly Shoebox ! 1978 was a huge year for Glidden. Name Date Site E.T. Enter Ford who immediately signed him to a factory sponsorship in fear that Glidden would take his talents under the GM umbrella. Yes, that champion of champions, Bob Glidden has joined Ronnie Sox, Bill Jenkins, Don Nicholson and Dick Landy in the racing heavens. Thats why he quit. 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. There were wins but no title. What did Bob Glidden die from? +C $15.65 shipping. Bob Glidden was so angry that he could have chewed an engine block in half. He campaigned a series of 427 Fairlanes before switching to the more. If You Could Choose Any Car To Build Into The Ultimate Pro Touring Machine, What Would It Be. Yup, it was a Probe. HOULTON -- Robert (Bob) L. Glidden Sr., 83, died following a brief illness on Feb. 16, 2010, in a Bangor Hospital. record (8.81) in qualifying and beat Gapp in the final. That commitment resulted in four consecutive Winston championships for the Reher-Morrison team (1981-1984), but the satisfaction of claiming their fourth title was tempered somewhat by the fact that they no longer had the quickest car in the country. I know that I have to hustle to win and that I have to go all out to afford to race.". I am 70 years old and remember the Golden Age of Pro Stock!!! Bob Glidden - Net Worth, Birthday, Biography, Place of Birth, Date of Birth, Age, Wiki, Facts and Family . My thoughts and prayers to his family. In the summer of 1978, Glidden embarked on one of the sport's legendary winning streaks that included nine straight national event victories and stretched a complete calendar year. In our lives some people pass through, but others are permanent. When we started hiring outside people, it was really our downfall. He gave me a hug and told me that he is glad i still come to the races. Country: United States. you erned it. In keeping with the spirit of this conversation but in the context of our mission, weve set up a hotline for ideas: [emailprotected]. I've>never heard this, and it just sounds like a load of BS to me..>>. "He was a true competitor who left a lasting legacy of excellence both on and off the track. He drove his new car, a Ford Probe, to a national e.t. Bob Glidden was one of NHRA's first and finest stars NHRA star Bob Glidden, who won 85 Pro Stock national events and 10 season championships, died Sunday at the age of 73. Nitro Member. "He gave the inspiration to a lot of people that if you dedicate yourself to something you're gonna be successful at it. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Brand loyalty was assume . (Photo by. American drag racing legend Bob Glidden has died at age 73. Ten-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Bob Glidden, who singlehandedly carried the Ford banner for most of a 15-year period, died Sunday night. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Bob Glidden was one such person for me. Gliddens reputation for secrecy, of course, was memorialized following his wild finish-line crash at Atlanta in 1986. It was a harbinger of things to come. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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). After early-round losses at the Winternationals and Gatornationals, Glidden was dealt a devastating blow at the Southern Nationals when a gust of wind caught his parachute and sent his Thunderbird into a tailspin following a semifinal victory over Butch Leal. Feb 8, 2002. 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. what did bob glidden die from. He crawled out, staggered once, noticed the hood was gone, took off his jacket and covered his home made intake manifold. and top speed in his final-round victory over Frank Iaconio. Glidden won 85 NHRA National Events. By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher. what did bob glidden die from. Lighter than the Ford and making scads of power through his genius as an engine man, Glidden did something that today seems thoroughly impossible. We didn't want to get out.". Bob Glidden was born on August 18, 1944 and died on December 17, 2017. 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. 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. With valuable sponsorship from Ed Martin Ford, where he worked as a line mechanic, Glidden became one of Division 3's most prolific winners before turning Pro in late 1972. If there was a singular season that summed up the life and times of Bob Glidden it was 1986. Okay, Bob, its nearly 30 years later. Top Fuel teams will tear down their engines right in front of the spectators. It's determined by the amount of wor. HUGE THANKS. The hefty roll cage provides maximum driver protection and ties the front and rear sections into one extremely rigid unit. Thats a factual statement no matter how outlandish you think it sounds. A True Hands on Racer and Billy has taken the reigns over. Visited his home a couple of times and he showed me his garage where he and his wife worked on his cars. The first major chapters in the Glidden book may be done but the family story still continues to add chapters. Mar 11, 2011. nvrdun said: I thought Cragar did make Bob Glidden wheels for a couple years??? I liked after the Atlanta crashdid he thank an imaginary higher power for his walking away from this horrendous wreck? Yesterday, we had two very special guests at bo-mar: Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden & his wife Etta! 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. A lady fan walked up and asked for his autograph. 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 PresidentPeter Clifford. For the first time in a long time, Glidden had his work cut out for him in 1980. After sporadic wins in the early '90s, Bob Glidden was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994. Bob Glidden (August 18, 1944 - December 17, 2017) was an American drag racer. I know that I have to hustle to win and that I have to go all out to afford to race.". Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Gliddens reaction is understandable, given the state of affairs in Pro Stock at the time. Opens in a new window or tab. While many people would have thought he was crazy, Glidden raced to feed his family and while he was switching brands, he would not switch off the competitive spirit that he used to dominate so hard in Fords. We are born to a certain family and then there are those who become family. This happened under Satan's, I mean, Billy Meyer's, Larry Heath has it exactly right. He, like so many other prolifically successful people in any form of sport never considered himself great, even in the face of clearly being so. He was always thinking and leading Pro Stock. or Best Offer +$11.90 shipping As a Ford guy growing up in the Diamond P sports era he like a super hero. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1956. The 1978 season kicked off with the Winternationals at Pomona Raceway (now Auto Club Raceway at Pomona) in Pomona, California. March 3, 2023 2:53 PM PT. Birth Place: Whiteland, Indiana. 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. Mr. Glidden. i was never a ford fan but you have to respect his racing. when we were at seattle he was always willing to spend time talking clevelands still using his oiling and porting ideas today . Glidden won 10 NHRA Drag Racing championships and 85 events in his 25-year career in Pro Stock. Met him briefly at Seattle when they were running the Arrow. 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. Glidden believes strongly that when . Bob was very good for drag racing as were a lot of the drivers at that time. Avery Finnivan He was 73 years old, and passed away after a brief bout of illness. He was 73-years-old. Glidden retired as the driver with the most wins in National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) history at that time a feat recently topped by 16-time Funny Car champion John Force and he was the third-most successful drag racer of the professional class drivers sixth when counting sportsman national event winners at the time of his death. My condolences to Etta, Billy and Rusty. Flying the Ford banner nearly his whole career, Glidden had amassed 85 national event wins and at the time of his retirement and held the NHRA record for most wins. A man dedicated to his profession, RIP Bob. In 1974, in just his second full season in Pro Stock, Glidden won three major events, including the Springnationals and U.S. Nationals, and set both ends of the national record en route to his first Winston championship. Glidden earned the nickname 'Mad Dog' due to his intense work ethic. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Im glad to have met him several times and saddened to know im not getting another chance in this life to meet him again. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1956. Edit Now Racing career Glidden began his drag racingcareer in the 1960s in a Ford427 Fairlane. Bob was a genuine hero to me. Taft Isd School Calendar, 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. Glidden came back in '85, led the points race all season, and won five national events. 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. Unlike his 1979 championship season, Glidden won his third straight and fifth title in 1980 in dramatic fashion. Back to Login. Bob went on to indirectly accuse KurtJohnson of it, but had no proof. My condolences to Etta and the family. The rules said they couldnt acid dip the body to reduce weight. My deepest condolences go out to Etta and the Glidden family. His victory at the season-ending Winston Finals gave him 76 career wins, 49 in the 1980s alone. prestel publishing submissions. He ran even quicker at the season-ending Supernationals, where he reset his e.t. He was one of my Heros back in the 80s and made me a fan of pro stock for years to come. Ironically, it was Glidden's incredible success that sparked the Reher-Morrison team. Brian, thank you for putting together a wonderful tribute to Bob Glidden. 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. Maybe even when Billy Meyersowned the thing? Legal Statement. Following high school he enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1956-60 on USS Loeser destroyer escort. 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. It came as a shock this Monday morning to learn that drag racing legend Bob Glidden had passed away on Sunday evening. I meet Mr. Glidden at an NHRA event in Baytown, Tx. It came as a shock this Monday morning to learn that drag racing legend Bob Glidden had passed away on Sunday evening. 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. I worked for John Zintsmaster and moved his 62 Chevy Impala factory racer. 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. That was technology that I didnt intend to pass on. 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. June 22, 2022; Posted by lisa marie michael jackson; 22 . record (8.81) in qualifying and beat Gapp in the final. I have never forgotten that image. Glidden died in Whiteland on December 17, 2017 of colorectal cancer at the age of 73. Right out of the gate, he came out guns blazing with five of seven wins. "Everyone in the NHRA community is saddened to learn. He had a Ford Escort EXP that was designed to hold a Cleveland engine and he had to stick a vastly more powerful Shotgun Hemi into it. >Bob Glidden did not get caught using nitrous oxide..One of his kids, Just what does "pressurize a block" mean? 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. And when Bob heard of it he made him give the winning back .A man of great sportsmanship. Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Dec. 17. Link: :: rag Racing Online:::InnerVIEW - Bob Glidden - 12/09/08 . 1970s Drag Racing-Bob Glidden-1972 Ford Pinto-Pro Stock-1977 NHRA US Nationals. 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. and top speed, and winning the race. Ertl MIC Diecast No. All rights reserved. He was 73. Sponsored. Billy Meyer did that.The photo you are talking about was,in fact,a fuel returnline that never got completely torqued up! Glidden, who died Monday at age 73, was a 10-time NHRA champion with a then-record 85 wins when he retired in 1997.