Billy Glidden confirmed he will be at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals serving as crew chief for Brad Waddle’s Mountain Motor Pro Stocker.
Glidden wouldn’t say he’s through as a driver, but for now, he and wife Shannon are focused on ensuring Weddle runs strong.
“The last couple of years have been an adjustment process,” Glidden said. “I miss the racing and going out testing part of it. We were always fighting a battle against a lot of determined racers who had more resources than we did. I just couldn’t keep up with what I needed to be competitive.
“Brad Waddle has been a really good friend. He’s helped me with a lot of my crazy ideas. He doesn’t get to race a lot because of how his business is structured; it requires a lot of his attention. It’s just hard to race competitively when you can’t get out here a lot.
“If I can help him through my years of experience, I’m glad to. He’s a very good friend.”
Glidden admits he’s unsure how he’ll handle serving as a crew chief exclusively instead of handling the role of a driver. This weekend he’ll find out for the first time.
“Right now, it’s all an adjustment process,” Glidden said. “It will be satisfying to help Brad achieve his goals, and make the show where he can enjoy it. I don’t know, I have never experienced this role.”
Glidden will also deal with naturally aspirated engines, a configuration he hasn’t worked with since his days of racing with his famous father Bob Glidden.
“Way easier,” Glidden said when asked about working with the naturally aspirated powerplants.
Adding to an already new experience will be the spectacle of guiding his driver through four-wide racing. The team has spent the last two days testing at Virginia Motorsports Park outside of Richmond, Va.
“Never been to one,” Glidden admitted. “I know Brad is excited about doing it. He was asking questions about staging. We gotta be careful to not put the cart before the horse. The most important thing now is to find our way to the finish line.”
Get the @competitionplus Mobile APP to get your drag racing news quick and easy. – https://t.co/HsiKEmdZXO pic.twitter.com/qpgtrHqnpr
— Competition Plus (@competitionplus) January 4, 2019
