I got to talk to him, actually, listen to him at this year's Gatornationals. Not a word about racing, talked about his childhood. Outstanding person. His museum is well worth a visit.
I've seen Don Garlits at several races in different states. I was always impressed by Don. When the other drivers were out taking pictures and signing autographs Don was in the pit actually working on the engine refresh between rounds. Hands on all the way.
5.51 86 US Nationals, Garlits wasn't even qualified till Q4, last pass. Darrell Gwynn's father had that motor set to kill, every pass, blistering times. But EVERY qualifying pass, Garlits knew if he was going to get in the final against 'The Kid', he'd need to know everything he could about Gwynn. Always the meticulous student, Don watched and studied Darrell, knew his every move on the starting line. Don got his car figured out didn't set his engine on grenade every pass, but damaged some parts n pieces, met Darrell in the final like he anticipated, for Don, it was just another race. Being the final, he set the thing on kill, advanced the spark a bit, used a skinnier head gasket, I'm sure, upped the percentage of nitro, and took the win. I was there. Also in 84 when Art Malone convinced him to go at the last minute, they pulled his last Swamp Rat out of museum mothballs and took it to Indy. There were rows of highly polished, shiny tractor trailer rigs, then there was Garlits. Dually Dodge and trailer, I wondered where the rest if the crew was? But somehow I knew Don was going to win, and he did.
Big Daddy simply the best Top Fuel racer of all time . You can’t say that about a person in to many sports and have close to 100 % people agreeing with you . Bob Glidden in Pro Stock the same recognition. Funny car I have to give it to John Force all time
always was a Don Garlits fan was going to my first US Nationals in 1984 on the radio riding out heard he was coming to race it was a magical time and then he won awesome feeling
It never ran at the winternationals where we used to sit behind the Christmas tree on the RV but I'd like to know where is since we had the first electric car company in Yucaipa startup company
Big Daddy was a young racer, when I was a kid drag racing bikes. He was my first non baseball heroes in my preteens. And the more I learn about him the more I respect and admire him. There are very few public figures I respect but Big Daddy is right at the top. In my mind only Ted Williams & Joe Gibbs are in the same league as Don Garlits. Adding his museum and a chance to meet him to my bucket list. MLLH&R Don Garlits.
OMG its big daddy. Your a fool to want to mess with Big Daddy if you know what's good for you. They don't call him Big Daddy for nothing. Great upload. Thanks
He came to Australia with his car. My dad borrowed it from a speed shop for a week for our school event. Our mechanicalbusinesswas well known.. People asked when we were going to give rides around the block... 😂😂😂
Yeah it wasn't Don Garlits running it was Don Prudhomme snake when we are sitting on the RV 1975 where is the Westinghouse sponsored electric dragster and Allen?
Large Father could put a go-cart in the 6's. The man knew just what to put into the car. And talk about frugal. He wouldnt break parts to win...mostly.
"we werent here just for the beer" If a driver today would say that shit would hit the fan. Modern day interviews with sportsman if any sport make me vomit. Al the PC bullshit talk.
RIP Steve, the real voice of the NHRA!
went to his museum in 2016 BIG was there shootin the breeze.One of if not THE nicest guys in motorsports bar none
I got to talk to him, actually, listen to him at this year's Gatornationals. Not a word about racing, talked about his childhood. Outstanding person. His museum is well worth a visit.
Yes I drove 12-13 hours from Kentucky to visit his museum it was well worth the drive words just can’t do it justice how awesome the museum is!
Met Big Daddy at Island Dragway in NJ, 2014. He was always my hero and what an honor to meet and talk to him. A Legend! and a class act.
I've seen Don Garlits at several races in different states. I was always impressed by Don. When the other drivers were out taking pictures and signing autographs Don was in the pit actually working on the engine refresh between rounds. Hands on all the way.
I met Don in 67 at the Seattle car show. What a truly nice human being and an outstanding sportsman. I idolized him and rightly so
"We wasn't here just for the beer." Gotta love that.
5.51 86 US Nationals, Garlits wasn't even qualified till Q4, last pass. Darrell Gwynn's father had that motor set to kill, every pass, blistering times. But EVERY qualifying pass, Garlits knew if he was going to get in the final against 'The Kid', he'd need to know everything he could about Gwynn. Always the meticulous student, Don watched and studied Darrell, knew his every move on the starting line. Don got his car figured out didn't set his engine on grenade every pass, but damaged some parts n pieces, met Darrell in the final like he anticipated, for Don, it was just another race. Being the final, he set the thing on kill, advanced the spark a bit, used a skinnier head gasket, I'm sure, upped the percentage of nitro, and took the win. I was there. Also in 84 when Art Malone convinced him to go at the last minute, they pulled his last Swamp Rat out of museum mothballs and took it to Indy. There were rows of highly polished, shiny tractor trailer rigs, then there was Garlits. Dually Dodge and trailer, I wondered where the rest if the crew was? But somehow I knew Don was going to win, and he did.
I can remember getting a Big Daddy hot wheels for Christmas in 1973
Big Daddy simply the best Top Fuel racer of all time . You can’t say that about a person in to many sports and have close to 100 % people agreeing with you . Bob Glidden in Pro Stock the same recognition. Funny car I have to give it to John Force all time
A true legend!
always was a Don Garlits fan was going to my first US Nationals in 1984 on the radio riding out heard he was coming to race it was a magical time and then he won awesome feeling
Love the Big D.... love my childhood building his Revell models.
I always did like Don Garlits and Joe Amato, my two favorites by far.
Yes, Big Daddy, Joe Amato and Gary Ormsby were class acts.
One of my heroes! My first hero was Spock, then Big Daddy. Both were analytical thinkiners. Both used Crain over brawn. Both were winners!
What a contrast from modern interviews where drivers are required to inappropriately interject sponsors names five times into every sentence.
It never ran at the winternationals where we used to sit behind the Christmas tree on the RV but I'd like to know where is since we had the first electric car company in Yucaipa startup company
Big Daddy Don Garlits he is ranked number one greatest drag racer of all time
that was when he took a five year old race car out of his Museum and came back and wipe the floor with everybody
Big Daddy was a young racer, when I was a kid drag racing bikes. He was my first non baseball heroes in my preteens.
And the more I learn about him the more I respect and admire him. There are very few public figures I respect but Big Daddy is right at the top.
In my mind only Ted Williams & Joe Gibbs are in the same league as Don Garlits. Adding his museum and a chance to meet him to my bucket list.
MLLH&R Don Garlits.
BIG DADDY IS THE MAN!!!
WOW great to see 2 legends big and steve evans
Go big daddy
Just outta respect for the innovator and pioneer of the sport NHRA should name a top fuel nationals after him , he's the Vince Lombardi of top fuel👍
Garlits vs Kalitta...doesn't get any better than that!
this is a true satemeent
Happy 90th birthday Big Daddy Don Garlits ;-)
Where is the 1975 Westinghouse sponsored Electric dragster?
I can't imagine what drag racing would be like without Don Garlits.
Legend
We love drag racing its in my blood.
Wow what a legend Don Garcia's is......pioneer...8 time Nationals Champion. 🙂👍👌✋️✌️
There are many champions there are icons and there are pioneers in the NHRA....But there is only one BIG DADDY...
OMG its big daddy. Your a fool to want to mess with Big Daddy if you know what's good for you. They don't call him Big Daddy for nothing. Great upload. Thanks
He came to Australia with his car. My dad borrowed it from a speed shop for a week for our school event. Our mechanicalbusinesswas well known.. People asked when we were going to give rides around the block... 😂😂😂
Crazy to go 260 mph on those skinny little motorcycle front tires.
Awesome!
Ask the Westbrook family in Ontario they might know
sure thing.OLDSCHOOL.
The ultimate drag racer
Yeah it wasn't Don Garlits running it was Don Prudhomme snake when we are sitting on the RV 1975 where is the Westinghouse sponsored electric dragster and Allen?
What is the point of stretching 4:3 frame size videos out to 16:9? Do people like looking at distorted pictures? I don't.
Without him , drag racing probably be 25 years behind..
Don knows god is love
Large Father could put a go-cart in the 6's. The man knew just what to put into the car. And talk about frugal. He wouldnt break parts to win...mostly.
These motors are in todays Promods...
Big Daddy 1.
When giants walked the earth
"we werent here just for the beer"
If a driver today would say that shit would hit the fan. Modern day interviews with sportsman if any sport make me vomit. Al the PC bullshit talk.
B.D. pure class