Winternationals : Record-Setting Day as Qualifying Continues

Bob Glidden of Whiteland, Ind., became the first pro-stock driver in National Hot Rod Assn. drag racing history to break 7.6 seconds in the quarter-mile Friday, the second day of qualifying for the 25th Winternationals at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona.

Glidden had an elapsed time of 7.57 seconds in his Ford Thunderbird, hitting 183 m.p.h. on a record-breaking day.

John Lombardo of Valencia, driving Raymond Beadles’ Blue Max Ford Mustang, broke a track record in the funny car field with an elapsed time of 5.68, hitting 250.69 m.p.h. The previous low was 5.69 seconds by Dale Pulde last October at the World Finals.

Larry Minor of Hemet was the leading qualifier in the top fuel dragster division with an elapsed time of 5.43 and a speed of 250.13 m.p.h. Favorite Don Garlits continued to experience traction problems after a crash last weekend at the Firebird Raceway in Phoenix. Garlits qualified 11th at 5.87 and 256.41 m.p.h.

Final qualifying will begin at 11 a.m. today, with the finals scheduled to begin at the same time Sunday.