Billy Glidden's Mickey Thompson backed Mustang

Do you often reminisce to the old days of drag racing when it was quite common to see the top racers take to the track for a match race shootout? It’s definitely one of the most popular eras of drag racing and motorsports history, but sadly,its largely a thing of the past. As our favorite sport has progressed the competition has grown to a plethora of classes around the country and the world, leaving match racing behind.

But it’s not completely dead, as exhibited when Capitol Raceway hosted two Extreme 10.5 superstars to let it all hang out in a best two out of three race this past weekend.

Two drivers whom have become a household name in the world of outlaw drag racing are Billy Glidden and Chuck Ulsch. Glidden, often recognized for his father Bob, who was a legend in the NHRA Pro Stock ranks for years, has created a legendary status for himself during his career. Ulsch, hailing from Maryland, has raced in Outlaw 10.5 and Extreme 10.5 in the ADRL and is backed by Gil Mobley Motorsports.

On July 29th these two heavyweights unloaded at Capitol Raceway for a match race of epic proportions. In a best two out of three shootout, they put on a great show for the fans, with Glidden taking the first shot right out of the gate. Glidden won the first pairing on a hole shot, 4.012 to Ulschs’ 4.011. In the second round Glidden made short work of Ulsch once again, as he laid down a 4.03 to Chuck’s 4.08 to take home the victory. Although the race was won,  Chuck and Billy in true showmanship, came back out for a third shot at the track. Once again Glidden took a hole shot advantage to the stripe for the win, running a 4.02 to Ulschs’ quicker 4.01.