Just four short weeks ago, Hall of Famer Bob Glidden announced his departure from Jim Cunningham’s NHRA Pro Stock operation following off season health issues and a disagreement with the team owner on the choice of drivers. 19-year old Virginian Buddy Perkinson was tabbed as the driver for the team’s single car effort in 2011. Glidden expanded on his role as crew chief last last season, stepping back into the drivers seat where he won 10 championships in his prolific career.  Though during the NHRA Finals in Pomona, he collapsed following a qualifying pass and withdrew from the event.

This week, the Cunningham team, with new sponsor CGPay.com onboard, began making laps at Bradenton Motorsports Park in order for Perkinson to obtain his Pro Stock license, all while dialing in the Mustang in hopes of a strong 2011 campaign. And there, standing behind the car, was Glidden.

No word has come regarding Glidden’s long-term future with the team, but he reportedly was in attendance following a last minute deal with Cunningham to help Perkinson get acclimated to the high horsepower race car. Glidden’s expertise clearly paid dividends, as Perkinson recorded a 6.63 at 209 to finalize his license procedure before hammering out a current best of 6.58 seconds that also stands as the best pass to date for a Cunningham Motorsports Mustang.