Winternationals : Glidden Tops Own Mark With Run of 7.55 Seconds

It was another day and another record for pro stock driver Bob Glidden of Whiteland, Ind., on an overcast Saturday afternoon at the 25th Winternationals drag races at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona.

Glidden, driving a Ford Thunderbird, had an elapsed time of 7.55 seconds at a speed of 186.87 m.p.h. in the final qualifying session for today’s elimination rounds. Only 24 hours earlier, the 40-year-old former line mechanic had become the first pro stock driver in National Hot Rod Assn. history to run under 7.60 seconds with an elapsed time of 7.57 and 183 m.p.h.

Glidden needed to run within 1% of Saturday’s record time under NHRA rules to establish the mark and he made it look easy with another record run. After a long delay while track officials cleaned up an oil spill left by a previous competitor, Glidden roared down the left lane of the quarter-mile track to the delight of the estimated 25,000 fans.

Later, Glidden credited his off-season preparation and a family effort for the new mark.

“This is my first decent start in four or five seasons,” he said. “This used to be an automatic race for me. But lately, I’ve been qualifying in the middle of the field.

“I normally spend two or three months haggling with sponsors for the upcoming season. This year, we settled with my two major sponsors in about two weeks and spent the rest of the time testing and developing the car.

“Mentally, I feel better than ever and the car is running better than ever. I’ve got a different outlook on this race without the contract hassles.”

Glidden has won more NHRA events than any other driver in any division with 41 career victories. He’s also won five national titles and credits his family for his success.

His wife, Etta, is the business manager. His oldest son, Billy, is the chief mechanic. His younger son, Rusty, also works on the crew but was back home competing for Whiteland High’s basketball team.

“My family is my racing,” Glidden said. “Etta is the boss. She does as much as I do or more on this team. Billy is the gopher who can do just about anything. Rusty does as little as possible, but he’s the one who wants to race.”

Glidden will face Roy Hill in the first round of eliminations today knowing that Hill has beaten him in two of their last three meetings. Hill played the role of the underdog perfectly, saying, “When I grow up, I want to be just like Bob Glidden.”

In other action, John Lombardo of Valencia established a national funny car record with an elapsed time of 5.68 seconds and 255.68 m.p.h. Lombardo had set a track record on Friday and came back strong on Saturday. Defending national champion Mark Oswald, Don Prudhomme, Gary Densham and Sherman Gunn were among the top names who failed to make the 16-car finals.

In the top fuel class, Larry Minor emerged as the top qualifier while teammate Gary Beck was fourth. Beck will meet Don Garlits in the first round today and Garlits has beaten him in their last five meetings.