4: BOB GLIDDEN Bob Glidden did not have any special training or a degree in mechanical engineering. Glidden believes strongly that when . We want to hear suggestions, tips, tricks and even criticism that can help us present the exciting universe of engine technology to all engine enthusiasts. 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. - Bob Glidden Glidden began his career in the late 1960s behind the wheel of a series of 427 Ford Fairlanes in the Stock and Super Stock ranks and later a 482 Cobra Jet, becoming one of the winningest competitors in the NHRA's Division 3. It was a harbinger of things to come. 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. Glidden, who left his job at Ed Martin Ford to concentrate on racing full time, runner-upped to Bill Jenkins at the season-ending Supernationals in his Pro Stock debut. 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. For the first time in a long time, Glidden had his work cut out for him in 1980. Gliddens career was marked by incredible amounts of personal dedication, success, domination, and a work ethic the likes of which the sport has seldom seen. 68 TorinoGT Fastback, 1982 Mercury Capri RS (bought new) 1975 Bronco. Unlike his 1979 championship season, Glidden won his third straight and fifth title in 1980 in dramatic fashion. After coming close in 1980, Shepherd succeeded in stripping Glidden of his title in 1981. Time left 12h 35m left. A vengeance ride of a season the sport has never seen before or since. I shot a pic of that car at Rockingham in '95 andit was a Probe. Bob was born in Windom, MN, the son of Thomas and Helen Gertrude (Putt) Glidden on July 23, 1937. Glidden earned the nickname Mad Dog due to his intense work ethic. Yesterday, we had two very special guests at bo-mar: Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden & his wife Etta! He reached 76 career wins by the end of the season, with 49 of them in the '80s alone. you erned it. Most of the development was with cylinder heads and intakes. (Photo by. During the eight race 1973 season Glidden had a runner up finish to Butch Leal in Canada and then at the US Nationals he defeated Wayne Gapp in the finals to win the first of NINE Indy titles in his career. He campaigned a series of 427 Fairlanes before switching to the more. Hemen Sarod Price, They had a major falling out over themess as well, as Bob admitted both that they did it, and how they did it. If your name isnt Glidden you have no right to see. 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.". After a skin-of-the-teeth victory over Butch Leal in the semi-finals in Atlanta, Glidden's parachute didn't deploy correctly. A Ford campaigner from the beginning, Glidden's success in Pro Stock stemmed from his apprenticeship in Stock and Super Stock. 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. His potent and competitive Ford combination had been hit yet another time by the pounds-per-cubic inch parity regulators. A man dedicated to his profession, RIP Bob. Country: United States. Saw Mr. Glidden at Memphis several years ago. I remember being 4 years old and watching Bob work on the car in the pits in Phoenix. at 152.54 mph was enough to beat Wayne Gapp in the final round. Forward to 2011 and I see him in pits in Phoenix again. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. It pulled the back of the car hard right and sent it head-on into the opposite guardrail. He ran even quicker at the season-ending Supernationals, where he reset his e.t. Bob Glidden Cheating . Further on hidden nitrous, the Wayne County guys were supposed to have had adummy battery and cables which concealed their system. NHRA fans received some sad news yesterday, as it was announced that Bob "Mad Dog" Glidden passed away at the age of 73. A super stock Cobra Jet was later added to the fleet. A true CHAMPION,GENTLEMAN, and THE BEST Pro Stock racer EVER. Bob, I love you my brother and I will see you again my friend. HOULTON -- Robert (Bob) L. Glidden Sr., 83, died following a brief illness on Feb. 16, 2010, in a Bangor Hospital. 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. 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. Played several Saturday morning basketball pickup games with Bob at the high school that school year, 1980-81. He was 74 years old. We acknowledge there can be some measure of friction in covering engine technology. Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden, one of the most dominant forces in the history of NHRA Drag Racing, died Dec. 17. Bob was very good for drag racing as were a lot of the drivers at that time. In the same vein, we could always associate Bob Glidden with a Ford-powered entry. On Friday, July 6, 2001 at 9:12:42 AM UTC-5. Thanks for the Memories,Bob. He did the same thing at all four of his divisional races. Im glad to have met him several times and saddened to know im not getting another chance in this life to meet him again. "NITRO498"