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. By Jerry Bonkowski Dec 18, 2017, 6:03 PM EST. record (8.81) in qualifying and beat Gapp in the final. Most of the development was with cylinder heads and intakes. 4 on the list of Top 50 racers from NHRA's first 50 years in 2000. Feb 8, 2002. So Bob got caught, but there was no fuss made of it by NHRA? NOBODY ever has and NOBODY EVER will go undefeated in one calendar year. Additionally, Glidden drove three different cars in 1975 while winning this title including the old Pinto that he used to kick ass at the end of the year. Bob Glidden Has Died At 73 One Of The Most Singularly Dominant Drag Racers In History Is Gone. The 1982 season brought on the NHRAs new format for pro stock. My best to his family and friends. Hell, in anything that is impressive. 1987 was more ridiculous domination. After finishing the 1978 season with seven straight victories, Glidden opened the 1979 season with a victory at the Winternationals and didn't lose a round until June, when a foul start in the second round of the Mile-High Nationals snapped his streak at 14 races and 50 rounds. 1997 Ford Pro Stock, Bob Glidden, die cast car, Platinum Series, Limited Edition. BOBBY G. Prayers and condolences to Etta, Rusty and Billy. Chrysler ran into the financial rocks heading into the 1980 season so his deal there ended. you erned it. David Lindley, a multitalented guitarist who was a fixture in Los Angeles recording studios during the 1970s and '80s, died on Friday. Iheartradio The Bull, Your email address will not be published. After battling illness, word spread across Facebook on Saturday that he had died, but that was refuted . You could see it in her eyes. Bob was very good for drag racing as were a lot of the drivers at that time. 10 bids +$9.10 shipping. Glidden was a dag racer who I seen sometimes when I was racing on dirt. or Best Offer. He was 73. His last real competitive pass came in 2003, and he did return to the track in 2010 to consult with another team. When you look at the history books those guys were like prize fighters trading blows and wins back and forth. he was bad ass. He said that ever since Bob Glidden quit that the Fords are not competitive and that he was cheating. He was the third most successful drag racer of the professional class drivers (sixth when counting sportsman national event winners). That was a never ending deal.. I heard it caused a lot of stress for the entire Gliddenfamily, because of Bob's hard line on the cheating issue. The small-tire icon turned Pro Modified racer left the starting line at Orlando Speed World hard when his "tired" Mustang abruptly turned right and impacted the retaining wall before crossing the track where it struck the left retaining wall. I didnt want them to gain any edge, and thats what its all about.. The 1977 season was one where Glidden returned to form. He was in 10 of 14 finals and won the last five races of the year for his 8th title. $50.00. 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. 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. A true CHAMPION,GENTLEMAN, and THE BEST Pro Stock racer EVER. Bob Glidden Remembering Bob Glidden, one of NHRA's best that there ever was. He won the first two races of 1975, beating Wayne Gapp, the guy he stole the title from in 1974 along the way. The actor, who was 71, was discovered in a fume-filled car at his home in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. Legal Statement. Baloo The Builder Tool Box, 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. Glidden faced 29 different opponents in his 122 final rounds and had winning records against 26 of them, including W.J. Bob was among the best builders and drivers in the sport. He went on to work with Ford, developing engines for their NASCAR Winston Cup program. I remember when he crashed at Fremont, his car lay on its side. Copyright 1996-2021, NHRA. They would have seen the size and shape of the ports and the angles of the plenum, says Glidden. He was retired from Pro Stock racing in 1997 and returned in 2010. 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. During this time in NHRA history, racers ran both divisional and national events to gain points. About Bob Glidden. A Ford campaigner from the beginning, Glidden's success in Pro Stock stemmed from his apprenticeship in Stock and Super Stock. It is with great sadness that we bring you this news. We didn't want to get out.". HOULTON -- Robert (Bob) L. Glidden Sr., 83, died following a brief illness on Feb. 16, 2010, in a Bangor Hospital. Bob ran this car at exactly two races, but I saw it in Pomona and fell in love with it. record at the Supernationals, locking in the season victory. <p> Glidden's Plymouth Arrow</p>. 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. He was voted #4 all time on NHRAs Top 50 list during the 50th anniversary season of the organizations existence. Digital mapping, computer modeling and CNC machines all but ensure that if a secret does get out, it will be replicated within hours. He finished second to Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins at the Supernationals in his new ride, his Pro Stock debut. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with the Glidden family at this difficult time.. His last real competitive pass came in 2003, and he did return to the track in 2010 to consult with another team. A lady fan walked up and asked for his autograph. Well said Sammy. This performance was called total domination. what did bob glidden die from; what did bob glidden die from. The 1976 season brought him back down to earth the hefty roll provides. 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! I worked for John Zintsmaster and moved his 62 Chevy Impala factory racer. 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. Bob Glidden (August 18, 1944:- December 17, 2017) was an American drag racer. Throughout his career, Glidden almost single-handedly carried the banner for Ford. By Stephen Thomas Erlewine. We all suffer with you and Thank You for all you do. He then. Glidden began his drag racing career in the 1960s in a Ford 427 Fairlane. Thats a factual statement no matter how outlandish you think it sounds. I started with a stock 92 Thunderbird SC kit and a Cutlass PS kit. 4: BOB GLIDDEN . My thoughts and prayers to his family. He was the third most successful drag racer of the professional class drivers (sixth when counting sportsman national event winners). Ertl MIC Diecast No. Glidden had battled heart issues . Bob Glidden, drag racing legend and 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion, died Dec. 17. Till we meet again R.I.P. "Everyone in the NHRA community is saddened to learn. what did bob glidden die from. If I'm not mistaken, this was way before Bader. 1, setting low e.t. Market data provided by Factset. 1988 was the last year of the Thunderbird for Glidden, but the car wasn't retired until he won his fourth straight title. His 9.03 e.t. 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.". Name Date Site E.T. 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. They had a major falling out over themess as well, as Bob admitted both that they did it, and how they did it. Hey, how many owners has IHRA had? Top Fuel teams will tear down their engines right in front of the spectators. The man was a legend not just because of his incredible performances on the track and the career numbers that he amassed. Bob Glidden (August 18, 1944 - December 17, 2017) was an American drag racer. Unlike his 1979 championship season, Glidden won his third straight and fifth title in 1980 in dramatic fashion. The car rolled six times but the funnycar roll cage surrounding him held together. Leo. 4 on the list of Top 50 racers from NHRA's first 50 years in 2000. Ford had pared back their support and he did not feel as though he had the resources to compete at the level he wanted so rather than do something he did not feel 100% about he retired from the seat. Looked justlike a fire system line. He campaigned a series of 427 Fairlanes before switching to the more. Feb 13, 2021 - Explore sam stoltz's board "Bob Glidden", followed by 311 people on Pinterest. Just like the good old days. He also qualified No. That year he was undefeated in divisional competition and won seven national events. He woke up every morning with a drive to succeed and a nagging fear of failure in the back of his head. Glidden retired from full-time racing in 1997 to help with Fords NASCAR engine development. He was surrounded by his loving family. 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. Bob is the last to go, but that\s Bob. 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. 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. All rights reserved. Maybe even when Billy Meyersowned the thing? After sporadic wins in the early '90s, Bob Glidden was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994. He was 74 years old. He was a 21-time IHRA winner, leading the tour with nine wins and 10 final-round appearances during his 1976 championship season. Pro Stock drag racing is one of the most secretive motorsport disciplines, at least in pit ritual. >Also, Bob Glidden HIMSELF DID get caught with NOS on board also. Nope, he thanked Jerry Haas, the chassis builder as he should have. As someone else pointed out, its very rare for someone to be that successful with two different brands at the professional level. 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. Rest In Peace, Bob. Star of 70s TV series On the Buses Bob Grant has been found dead at his home, after apparently committing suicide. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the Glidden family. He races for more than 25-years in the sport, as a Pro Stock driver. what did bob glidden die from 10. The first major chapters in the Glidden book may be done but the family story still continues to add chapters. He was 73. We raced the country roads of Whiteland and Greenwood with a group of people, during a time of life that can\t be duplicated. Glidden did nothing to the manifold other than port match the runners to the modified W2 heads. 4 on the list of top 50 drivers released by the NHRA in 2000. When we started hiring outside people, it was really our downfall, admits Glidden. Heres the thing to remember about Bob Glidden. Rest,In Peace, Bob Glidden. Anyway, you get the point. What was the big secret? Bob was born in Windom, MN, the son of Thomas and Helen Gertrude (Putt) Glidden on July 23, 1937. 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. One of the baddest pro stockers to walk the planet. [Bob] 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. 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 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. 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. Glidden's Pinto carried him to a come-from-behind victory over rivals Wally Booth and Gapp. Bob Glidden had enjoyed the best season of his career thus far seven wins. It came as a shock this Monday morning to learn that drag racing legend Bob Glidden had passed away on Sunday evening. By Douglas Herzog on Friday, November 25, 2011 at 1:08 PM. Bob Perkins got a little collection of NOS spare parts he have found at dealers. All rights reserved. Rest in peace. 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. 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. 1979. "He was a true competitor who left a lasting legacy of excellence both on and off the track. what did bob glidden die from veterinary ophthalmologist santa barbara June 22, 2022 flood banks advantages and disadvantages montana national guard jobs what did bob glidden die from veterinary ophthalmologist santa barbara June 22, 2022 flood banks advantages and disadvantages montana national guard jobs what did bob glidden die from RIP Bob. 1970 Ford Boss 429 Mustang - Grabber Blue (Highway 61) 1/18. Once he realized he wasn't. 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. Where Is Rusty Glidden Now . He was 73 years old, and passed away after a brief bout of illness.