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Mustang Cobra Jet Racer John Calvert Receives Ford Performance Parts Inaugural Bob Glidden 85/10 Award

In February 2018, Ford Performance Parts announced the creation of the Bob Glidden 85/10 Award to celebrate and honor the legendary and iconic Indiana-based drag racer. The 85/10 signifies Gliddens 85 NHRA victories and 10 world championships, and the award is intended for recipients who share the same grit and determination that the Bob Glidden embodied. The inaugural Bob Glidden 85/10 award was presented to championship-winning Ford drag racer John Calvert during the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show last week in Indianapolis. John Calvert (left) is the first recipient of the Ford Performance Parts Bob Glidden 85/10 Award. Calvert, stands with Mike Delahanty of Ford Performance Parts. Im so honored to have been selected as the first recipient of the Bob Glidden 85/10 Award, said Calvert. I feel as though Ford Motor Company and Ford Performance, while helpful and generous to all, welcomed me into their family. Born in Lancaster, California on April 22, 1951, Calvert credits his love for speed to the lead-foot nurturing of his mother. He started out racing his own car in demolition derbies and dirt ovals before finally settling into drag racing. Calvert entered his first Winternationals in 1975 and by 1991 was an NHRA National Champion in Stock Eliminator. In addition to his championship, Calvert and his high school sweetheart turned wife, Debbie, were blessed with twin sons, Brent and Johnny. John Calvert has a long list of drag racing accomplishments including a NHRA World Championship . Calvert continued racing, racking up numerous final round appearances, including Winternationals wins in 1995 and 1996. He also started a business manufacturing leaf spring suspensions and prepping race cars. Today, Calvert Racing Suspensions is a leading manufacturer of drag racing suspensions and components. In 2009, Calvert kicked off the season with a Winternatinals win behind the wheel of Brent Hajeks 2008 Mustang Cobra Jet. This marked the return of the Ford Performance Cobra Jet Mustang and Hajeks CJ was lettered to resemble and honor the 1968 Winternationals-winning Cobra Jet driven by Al Joniec. Calvert won the NHRA Winternationals three times, including the 2009 event behind the wheel of Brent Hajeks 2008 Cobra Jet. There will never be another Bob Glidden, its true, but we couldnt be more pleased to have racers like John Calvert continue his legacy with Ford, said Eric Cin, global director, Ford Performance Parts. A family man who has definitely earned his own place in both Ford Motor Company and drag racing history, John is the perfect choice for our first recipient of the 85/10 Award. Bob was such an inspiration to me, both personally and professionally, said Calvert, and to now have my name associated with such a legend is truly humbling. I hope that this award will inspire other Ford racers to even greater heights in the future. Bill and Shannon Glidden were on hand at the PRI show to present the award. Calvert enjoyed the moment with his wife Debbie and sons Brent and Johnny. Photo courtesy of Steve Turner/ProMedia. Though his familys business, Calvert Racing Suspensions, has grown, he retains his competitive spirit, continuing to proudly campaign several Mustang Cobra Jets as well as managing his sons careers as the next generation of Calvert drag racers. John Calvert has competed in a variety of Cobra Jet Mustangs including an original 1968 model and a host of modern versions. John Calvert Accomplishments 1 NHRA National Championship 2 NHRA Division Championships 25 final round appearances 3 Winternationals titles 10 divisional wins 3 NHRA Jegs All-Star appearances 3 NMCA Factory Showdown wins Multiple NHRA ET and Top Speed records The post Mustang Cobra Jet Racer John Calvert Receives Ford Performance Parts Inaugural Bob Glidden 85/10 Award appeared first on Hot Rod Network .

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/mustang-cobra-jet-racer-john-calvert-receives-ford-performance-parts-inaugural-bob-glidden-8510-award/

 

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