August 18, 1944 - December 17, 2017
Bob Glidden
(Photo;vintagemotorsport.com)
Born in Whiteland, Indiana,USA.
He was retired from Pro Stock racing in 1997 and returned in 2010. Glidden retired as the driver with the most wins in National Hot Rod Association history at that time, a feat recently topped by 16-time Funny Car champion John Force. He was the third-most successful drag racer of the professional class drivers at the time of his death. Glidden won 85 NHRA National Events. In the Professional classes, he was behind Force (147) and Warren Johnson (97). Currently, Glidden ranks fourth behind Greg Anderson (90). Glidden's ten Pro Stock championships included five in a row beginning in 1985. Among his numerous accomplishments, Glidden won nine straight NHRA national races in 1979 and was the No. 1 qualifier 23 times in a row, including the entire 1987 season. At one point, he won 50 eliminations rounds in a row.
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 race in Darlington, South Carolina. However, a Top Sportsman car driven by Bill Kuhlmann ran 202 miles per hour later that evening. He won several IHRA races and won one IHRA championship.
Bob Glidden married to Etta Glidden and the couple had sons Rusty and Billy.
Etta was Bob's long-time crew chief and all three were part of his team. Members of the family have made numerous appearances on the Car Craft Magazine All-Star Drag Racing Team. Etta and their sons were named to the Team six times. Bob appeared on the team eleven times, including two times as Person of the Year and once as the Ollie Award winner for his career-long contributions to the sport. Glidden's son, Billy, once raced against his father in a race in 1996, with the son beating the father.
Bob was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2001, a panel ranked him fourth in the National Hot Rod Association Top 50 Drivers, 1951-2000. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inducted Glidden in 1994.
Bob Glidden died on December 17, 2017, at age 73, after being hospitalized for an undisclosed illness.
(Photo;carsandracingstuff.com)
Bob Glidden married to Etta Glidden and the couple had sons Rusty and Billy.
Bob was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2001, a panel ranked him fourth in the National Hot Rod Association Top 50 Drivers, 1951-2000. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inducted Glidden in 1994.
Bob Glidden died on December 17, 2017, at age 73, after being hospitalized for an undisclosed illness.
The NHRA got it wrong, he was the greatest drag racer to ever go down the 1/4 mile!! Just imagine the records he'd have, if he had 22 races a year!!
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