7 Decades of The Big Go: Pro Stock Legend Bob Glidden Makes History with Dominant 1980s Run

Glidden advanced to every final in the 1980, while other highlights include Garlits’ comeback, first Big Bud Shootout, introduction of Pro Stock Motorcycle and more

A Look Into the 7 Decades of The Big Go:
Previewing the 70th NHRA U.S. Nationals
NHRA U.S. Nationals and the 1960s
Snake Carves out his Legacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – July 18, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – There are numerous reasons why Bob Glidden became an NHRA legend and one of the most revered drivers in drag racing history, and one of those was an incredible run of success at the NHRA U.S. Nationals.

The world’s biggest drag race celebrates seven decades of incredible racing in 2024, with the 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals taking place Aug. 28-Sept. 2 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

A win at The Big Go has helped drivers become legends as victories on drag racing’s grandest stage have simply meant more. That will be evident at this year’s special 70th anniversary of the NHRA U.S. Nationals and it was evident throughout the 1980s as Glidden was in the midst of a spectacular run.

Counting wins in 1978 and 1979 and a runner-up in 1977, Glidden went to 13 straight final rounds in Indy as the iconic Pro Stock driver was in every final round at The Big Go in the 1980s. He didn’t win them all – in fact, his first of the decade didn’t come until 1983 – but Glidden went on a surreal run. He won four straight years in the latter part of the decade – 1985-1988 – and five of six years, showing a thrilling penchant to rise to the occasion at Indy. Lee Shepherd got the best of him in 1980 and ’81, while Warren Johnson won in 1984. Frank Iaconio got the victory in 1982 and Larry Morgan, who is still racing Pro Stock on a part-time basis, got his career-defining win over Glidden in the 1989 final round.

Glidden’s 1988 victory gave him nine U.S. Nationals victory, a mark that stood the tallest at The Big Go for nearly 30 years.

Don Garlits enjoyed more Indy lore in the 1980s, with his ’84 victory serving as a major comeback after going six years without a victory at the world’s biggest drag race. It opened the door for an impressive run that included three straight wins – the final three Indy wins of his career.

In 1982, Indy fans saw the NHRA’s first specialty race at the event, as the Big Bud Shootout debuted in Funny Car, with Frank Hawley getting the win. Legend Kenny Bernstein won the following year – getting the double-up with his first Indy…