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Billy Glidden fights back from crash to make NHRA U . S . Nationals return By Josh Hachat
Just days before the U . S . Nationals – Billy Glidden ’ s first race since an ugly crash in Orlando in February – the longtime standout was asked if there ’ s any ill-effects from a nasty crash that ended the reign of Glidden ’ s beloved Mustang that helped the veteran to everything from ADRL titles to NHRA Pro Mod wins . “ No , just fat ,” Glidden deadpanned . It ’ s a brief tongue-in-cheek moment from Glidden , who hasn ’ t exactly had an easy go of it since the crash . A shoestring budget has gotten even tighter , and that ’ s not even taking into consideration the travails Glidden went through to get a new car . He ended up with a ’ 68 Camaro first driven by Jim Halsey , but even that car underwent such a massive transition that Glidden barely had the time or resources to get it completed in time for the race at Indy .
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Considering that , just racing at the U . S . Nationals was a feat in itself . It wasn ’ t even a sure thing until a test session at the track a week before yielded positive enough results . He admitted that it probably wasn ’ t the wisest move , financially speaking , but for those involved , including his father , legendary Pro Stock driver Bob Glidden , Indy was earmarked as a goal .
“ The only request my dad made was if we could make it to Indy he would like that ,” Glidden said . “ Mom and Dad have been very supportive . I know Dad wants to be more hands on , but I just want my dad to be as happy as he can . He ’ s paid his dues .”
Billy and his wife , Shannon , have paid their dues as well and , all things considered , Indy went as well as it could have . Glidden didn ’ t qualify in a record-setting bump of 5.846 at the U . S . Nationals , running a 6.038 at 225.75 mph , but it was progress .
As far as the next step , Glidden isn ’ t quite sure . He warns he has to be cautious , but somehow Glidden has always managed to find a way . He is still part of the Mickey Thompson testing program , and if anyone can find their footing through
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delicate times and financial situations , it ’ s Glidden . He has made a spectacular career out of doing things his own way , overcoming adversity every time it comes his way .
“ I don ’ t know any different ,” Glidden said . “ I ’ ve always been very determined . This is what we do . I drove a big ole ’ farm tractor in the spring and summer , helping a local farmer . I enjoyed that , but we just keep going . We keep trying and we ’ ll keep trying .”
After NHRA Pro Mod wins each of the last two years , Glidden entered 2017 with plenty of optimism . But things quickly went awry in Orlando when his Mustang – one he had driven for thousands of runs – careened into both retaining walls during a February test session . The Mustang was irreplaceable , and despite being cleared by the doctor in April , the search for a new car was much more difficult than Glidden anticipated . He had purchased a Camaro previously owned by Dan Stevenson , but that deal quickly went awry . Glidden didn ’ t want to comment on specifics of exactly what happened , only that “ the rest of that story is horrible . It turned out very bad , very bad .”
Back at square one , Glidden wrote himself
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PHOTO : COLE ROKOSKY |