Robert Hight’s first world championship is the tenth overall championship for John Force Racing in a Ford, eclipsing the previous mark held by Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden.

Glidden and Hight are worlds apart in terms of accomplishments and the breed of race vehicles they drive. However, for Hight, sound advice is a great thing to have regardless of how much horsepower your race car generates.

“He’s always been so cool to me,” Hight said of Glidden, an 85-time winner in NHRA Pro Stock. “I would always try to be up there, walking the starting line, when the Pro Stocks were running. For whatever reason, he took a liking to me. He always would come up to me and I learned a lot from him. I have so much respect for Bob Glidden.

JFR’s Tenth Professional World Championship Is The Most Amongst Ford Teams …

Robert Hight’s first world championship is the tenth overall championship for John Force Racing in a Ford, eclipsing the previous mark held by Pro Stock icon Bob Glidden.

Glidden and Hight are worlds apart in terms of accomplishments and the breed of race vehicles they drive. However, for Hight, sound advice is a great thing to have regardless of how much horsepower your race car generates.

“He’s always been so cool to me,” Hight said of Glidden, an 85-time winner in NHRA Pro Stock. “I would always try to be up there, walking the starting line, when the Pro Stocks were running. For whatever reason, he took a liking to me. He always would come up to me and I learned a lot from him. I have so much respect for Bob Glidden.

“You hear all the stories about how he works night and day. That’s what it takes to win one of these and you know what? He won ten of them and that’s my goal.”

Glidden, recovering from a recent heart procedure, told CompetitionPlus.com that he found favor in Hight because of his crewman-to-driver background.

“I’ve just always liked him,” Glidden said. “I never tried to teach him any lessons. I just appreciated the fact that he was always out there trying to do his best. I always appreciated the fact that he was very good but also humble. I always appreciated the way he came up through the ranks.”

Hight’s first championship enabled JFR to pass Glidden’s mark of nine. Glidden won ten championships overall, however his 1979 title was a Chrysler-backed effort.

“I had no idea,” Glidden said. “I am really happy for Robert. He’s gonna do well for a long time in the sport. I am proud to be a Ford champion alongside of the kid. He worked hard to get to the title of champion.”

And, if anyone knows a champion, Glidden does.

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