08/19/2026
The Town of Whiteland unveiled their latest roundabout and dedicated the artwork to Bob Glidden today, which would have been the NHRA drag racer’s 82nd birthday. Bob hailed from Whiteland and was a force to be reckoned with on the drag strip, accumulating 85 wins and 10 national championships throughout his racing career. After Bob’s passing in 2017, the Town of Whiteland named a road after him which was not too far from his house and shop and this summer had a roundabout constructed at the intersection of Whiteland Road and Bob Glidden Boulevard, which is located at the Whiteland exit, just west of Interstate 65.
The Town of Whiteland partnered with Bo-Mar Industries on the artwork design and fabrication. Bob and Mark Buchanan are huge fans of Bob Glidden and drag racing, so this was a natural fit. “They built an amazing tribute to Bob Glidden that featured highlights in Bob’s career” said Carmen Young, Whiteland Town Manager, “they also added a unique element to the artwork, which Bo-Mar calls an Easter egg. The Glidden family was known for their love of large birds, so if you look near the top of the artwork, you will see Murphy, a scarlet macaw.”
Nearly 100 people gathered today to honor Bob Glidden and celebrate the legacy he built both on and off the track. “Attendees came from neighboring states and communities throughout Indiana,” Young said. The highlight of the day was seeing the undefeated 1978 Ford Fairmont, recently purchased by Ed Martin Ford, drive down Bob Glidden Boulevard and take a lap around the roundabout.
Young concludes “This was a great day to honor Bob and the Glidden family. We at Whiteland are happy to carry on his legacy and have a tribute dedicated to one of the greatest NHRA drag racers of all time.”
