Billy Glidden has found his purpose ... built.

Glidden, the son of iconic Pro Stock racer Bob Glidden, made his return to the drag strip after an accident during testing at Orlando Speed World Dragway in February left him both injured and without a race car. 

Glidden made a triumphant return to the strip on Wednesday at Lucas Oil Raceway, right down the road from his Whiteville, Indiana, shop and made his first runs down the drag strip in a former Jim Halsey 1968 Camaro purposely built for Pro Modified. His previous car, which was originally skinned as a Pontiac GTO and then a Ford Mustang, was originally built as a Pro Stocker. 

Glidden made three strong passes with the Sonny Leonard-powered entry, which left him feeling good about the car he's got underneath him now. The memories of the wreck, which resulted from a broken chassis, were distant as he dumped the clutch for the first time. 

"There were no nervous feelings at all," Glidden said Wednesday evening. "The day started well, and every aspect of the first run down the pass was extremely positive. There are a few more changes to make inside of the car which will make this ride totally comfortable. We made three totally straight runs, and couldn't ask for anything better."

Glidden took delivery of the Camaro in early June thanks to the efforts of the Skillman Auto Group. For three-and-a-half months, Glidden and wife/crew chief Shannon Glidden poured their hearts into prepping the race car for the target date of the NHRA Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. 

With assistance with both parts and chassis tuning advice from Jerry Bickel, the transition proved seamless.

"We did have to spend a good bit of time making me, and my big 'ole butt fit into this thing the way I wanted to fit in it," Glidden admitted. "So far it's all just fit into place."

As it stands, the Indianapolis race might be the only race he gets to participate in this season.

"That's only because it's close," Glidden confirmed.

Glidden lost his primary sponsorship from Mickey Thompson Tires during his time on the sidelines. He is planning to do a tire test for the manufacturer this weekend during the National Muscle Car Association event in Norwalk and will continue to be supplied with the product. 

An added treat to Glidden's return to the strip was the presence of Bob in his pits and on the starting line. 

The elder Glidden, who won 10 NHRA series championships and one while in IHRA, is expected to be in attendance at the Indianapolis event over the Labor Day weekend. 

"If he's around and kicking, he will be there," Glidden said with a chuckle. 

Glidden remains overwhelmed at the support he's received from the race fans, even though he won't be out in the trademark Ford, a longtime staple of his family's legend.

"I grew up in this my whole life, and Shannon has been out here for I guess about 28 years," Glidden said. "We have been blessed to have really good fans along the way. Hopefully, they won't be too prejudiced with what we have to race with now. We are going to do the best we can to make everyone proud. I cannot begin to tell those fans how much their well-wishes and support during a tough time meant to us."