In 2002, the Pro Stock class is without doubt the most tightly competitive category in the NHRA.

Upwards of forty teams arrive at most of the NHRA's widespread venues from Gainesville, Fla., to Seattle, the spread between the quickest and slowest cars can be measured in hundredths of seconds and margins of victory are usually determined in even slimmer increments of time.

And into this relentless crucible of 200-mph competition, Bob Glidden has returned in an attempt to recapture some of the racing magic still remembered from his outstanding, 85-victory career. Glidden won 10 Pro Stock championships and performed the tasks of driver, tuner, engine builder, and team manager over a span of 20 years. A heart bypass operation, and the emotional distress of his split with his wife were contributing factors in convincing him to retire from the sport at the end of the 1997 season to pursue new opportunities in the engine-building business.

Then, only two months ago, when good friend Steve Schmidt -- the successful Indianapolis-based engine builder and drag racer -- persuaded Glidden to return to Pro Stock, the situation was an appealing one for him.

Hired strictly as a driver, Glidden would be free from the punishing pressures that surrounded the great champion in the days of his most impressive performances. But this weekend, after failing to qualify for the 18th Checkers Schucks and Kragen Nationals at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Ariz., the Hall of Fame driver is now reconsidering his comeback after a series of disappointments has beset him since accepting Schmidt's offer.

Glidden's testing accident in Houston in January seriously damaged Schmidt's new Pontiac Grand Am. At the year's opening race in Pomona, Glidden missed the field in a borrowed racecar belonging to another close friend, Larry Morgan. Then this weekend, he was unable to get Schmidt's repaired Pontiac successfully down the racetrack in any of his four qualifying attempts, and afterwards his disheartened attitude and weakened confidence were evident.

"I'm not sure I can drive these newer race cars," Glidden said. "I'm definitely having second thoughts about staying out here. The cars are so different from what I was used to. I haven't had much luck in getting settled into a comfortable routine."

When asked if he would be racing at the next event in three weeks, the Mac Tools Gatornationals in Gainesville, Glidden said, "I don't know. I'm really going to have to think about it."

Glidden's return to competition was received with almost universal praise and anticipation by the many legions of Pro Stock fans who remember his tremendous championship seasons when he was truly the undisputed king of the category. Throngs of drag racing enthusiasts mobbed his pit area in Pomona and Phoenix to see him, speak to him and get an autograph from the tanned and fit-looking legend.

Schmidt's plans were to add a second car to the team at some point in 2002 and bring back Brad Jeter, his former driver, thus giving the operation a multi-generational combination of driving talent.

Should Glidden bring his racing comeback to a halt, there are many, many fans who will lament his decision, not to mention his Pro Stock peers who appreciated the added notoriety his presence brought to the class.

We can only hope for the best and wish Bob Glidden sincere good fortune in whatever path he ultimately chooses to take.