In one of the more compelling stories in the sport in recent memory, Dragzine has received confirmation from a highly reliable source that doorslammer drag racing icon Billy Glidden is set to be named as the new driver of Harry Hruska’s Precision Turbo Chevrolet Camaro Pro Modified entry later today, filling the seat recently vacated by another second-generation racer, Jonathan Gray. For the first time – in history – Glidden will be driving and tuning a forced induction entry – a shocking announcement sure to hit close to home given his long time nitrous association.
Hruska’s machine – we are told – will carry sponsorship from both Precision Turbo and Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels — the latter of whom has been the primary backer of Glidden’s racing efforts dating back to his return to NHRA Pro Stock in 2007.
The union of Glidden and Hruska is of particular intrigue, as it marks not only the first time that Glidden has been a true hired-gun driver, but also, to our knowledge, the first time he’s driven a car that wasn’t either naturally-aspirated or nitrous oxide-assisted. The 51-year old son of Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden has been driving for more than 25 years, beginning in Pro Stock alongside his father and brother, Rusty, before embarking on a now-legendary career in street legal, small-tire racing in his famous black Fox body Mustang.
- Check out our recent two-part feature Part 1: Time, Not Opponents, Is Billy Glidden’s Biggest Enemy and Part II: Billy Glidden Is Racing His Way, Despite Drawbacks
Glidden is not only one of the most polarizing figures in the sport, but arguably the most successful small-tire racer in drag racing history, with numerous championships in the NMCA, NMRA, and ADRL, and an untold number of race victories and national records throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Glidden and wife, Shannon, have been fielding their now 10-season-old race car in the NHRA Pro Modified ranks over the last three years with considerable success given their budget, winning once, in Englishtown last year. Glidden currently sits 20th in the NHRA Pro Mod standings. He’ll now climb into the car that reset the class’ national record at Gainesville in March with a 5.750-second lap, and will become a certifiable contender at the remaining seven races of the 2016 season and perhaps beyond.
Gray and Hruska parted ways following the Houston event last month, where a brush with the wall caused extensive damage to the rear half of the car. The team skipped the NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta while chassis builder Larry Jeffers and his team completed repairs.
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“This relationship brings the best of the best together to create an NHRA Pro Mod dream team,” said Tom Kundrik, Motorsports Manager for Mickey Thompson. “Billy has been racing with our tires for many years. With this incredible car and additional support from PTE, the sky is the limit.”
Owned by Harry Hruska of PTE, the Camaro was previously named the Best Engineered Car in Pro Mod, and is now backed by Mickey Thompson, driven by Bill Glidden, and racing with Mickey Thompson’s legendary ET Drag tires (part number 3196). PTE-equipped vehicles have set more than 270 world records and won nearly 170 world championships.
“Billy is a fierce competitor in every drag racing class he competes in,” said PTE Founder and President Harry Hruska. “We are so excited to have Billy behind the wheel of the PTE Pro Mod Camaro. He has the work ethic, focus and determination to win races and sets the bar high. Together with Mickey Thompson, our team is unstoppable.”
“This is an incredible opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship with Mickey Thompson,” continued Hruska. “In addition to offering the best tire solutions for the performance aftermarket, Mickey Thompson sets the industry standard for great relationships and customer service. We’re looking forward to an incredible Pro Mod season!”