NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Legendary drag racer Bob Glidden was known for a lot of things – his 85 NHRA victories, 10 NHRA championships, 122 final round appearances and nine U.S. Nationals titles.

But one of the things the Ford racing icon was best known for was his work ethic - the grit and determination of he and his Glidden Family Racing team that made he, his wife Etta, and sons Bill and Rusty, legends in the sport of drag racing.

It’s that grit and determination that drove Glidden to be one of the most dominant racers in the sport, and Ford drag racers with that same spirit will now be honored with a new Bob Glidden “85/10” Award each year at the Performance Racing Industry Show in Indianapolis, starting this December. 

The new award announced today, to be presented by Ford Performance Parts and overseen by a distinguished panel of experts, comes just a few months after the drag racing legend passed away at the age of 73.

The “85/10” symbolizes Glidden’s Pro Stock victories and championships in NHRA competition during his career.   

“Bob Glidden represented a great era in the sport of drag racing,” said Edsel B. Ford II, member, Ford Motor Company board of directors.  “And that era featured hard-working racers who often had nothing but a great desire to succeed. Bob was a former Ford dealership mechanic from a small town in Indiana who, along with his wife and sons, took the family racing and through sheer determination, innovation and hard work, changed the face of Pro Stock racing.

“Even with all the wins and records, Bob never forgot his Indiana roots, and the grit and determination it took for him to succeed. He was a Ford racing legend, and we will always be grateful for the way he represented us in the sport.”

“We’re proud to introduce this new Glidden ’85/10’ Award to help honor Ford drag racers who have the same spirit, determination and grit that Bob had,” said Doug White, Global Performance Parts Manager, Ford Performance. “There are hundreds of Ford drag racers competing every weekend all over this country and we want to help recognize their efforts, especially those who are long-time competitors like Bob was. This award will help us do that.”

A distinguished panel of experts, including Glidden’s son Bill and Race Series leaders, will review Ford drag racers each year, with final nominees announced at the SEMA Show in November, and an award winner selected and announced at the PRI Show in December.