Sunday, September 04, 2011

HISTORIC LUCAS OIL RACEWAY DRAGSTRIP NAMED BOB GLIDDEN DRIVE

HISTORIC LUCAS OIL RACEWAY DRAGSTRIP NAMED BOB GLIDDEN DRIVE

CLERMONT, Ind. – NHRA Legend Bob Glidden was honored on Sunday during NHRA’s 60th Anniversary celebration at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil as NHRA President Tom Compton announced that the famous dragstrip at Lucas Oil Raceway will now be known as “Bob Glidden Drive.”

Compton presented a plaque to Glidden and unveiled the brand new green street sign that is positioned near the starting line.



“Bob Glidden’s accomplishments at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals are legendary,” Compton said. “To this day, Bob still holds the record for most wins at this event, the world’s largest and most prestigious drag racing event, and it is only fitting that this hallowed drag strip be aptly named Bob Glidden Drive.”

Glidden won an incredible nine times in the Pro Stock category at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, a record that is best among all professional classes. Tony Schumacher and Don Garlits are second, each having won eight times in Top Fuel.

“It’s been a storybook career for me,” said Glidden. “Thank you to all the fans and NHRA and all the support they’ve given us over the years. We owe everything that we have and are to NHRA Drag Racing.”

Glidden’s domination of the Pro Stock category extends well beyond Indianapolis. He won an unprecedented 10 NHRA world championship in 16 years, including five consecutive titles from 1985 to 1989, and amassed 85 national event victories. In the summer of 1978, Glidden won nine straight national events. He also qualified No. 1 at a record 23 consecutive races, including all 14 events in 1987.