LEGENDS: THE SERIES - DON GARLITS - I DID IT THE RIGHT WAY 

Years ago, I saw Big Daddy at the Salt Lake City, Utah strip, he was just going to make a couple exibition runs. He was headed home from some big Westcoast race. A young local with a blown small chevy digger was trying to get the bugs out and having trouble. It died in the staging lane and had to be pushed back. Later the youngster tried again and it died again. The crowd groaned. ...suddenly Don Garlits ran over, and advised his crew and adjusted something on the motor. When the motor lit up he tuned it some more. It sounded much better. The rookie made his first run. The crowd went nuts. Hell of a good guy. Don Garlits

Everybody needs to go see his museum in Ocala Fl. Its unbelievable how much stuff he has...! while I was there 2 years ago I got the woman working behind the counter to call out to the garage to see if Bigs would come sign my Picture of him in The Swamp Rat and he did....!! Im 66 and been a fan from the early 60's..! He made my day, one I will never forget...Thanks Big Daddy for being so cool...!!

I was most impressed with what he had to say about the current crop of racers. Most past masters would at least discount them a little, but he gave them their due. A great interview with a great racer and a great man. He will always be the best there ever was in the sport.

There is only one "Big Daddy" he's a real class act. I had the honor of meeting him in August of 2014 at Island Dragway on the 50th anniversary of his 200 mph run. A real gentleman, and a legend.

The BEST EVER NO ONE DID IT LIKE BIG DADDY!! AND NO ONE EVER WILL EVER!!

very humble man and a true pioneer in the sport.

I had a great honor by Large Father many years ago. Mid 80's and I find myself in Ocala Fla. I found the shop and went in. I called out looking to buy a t-shirt and who comes around the corner but Big himself. I got the nickle tour since there were only a handful of cars there at the time. We chatted for over an hour and I got to see the JJ car like few have ever seen it. Big talked about JJ and what he meant to match racing. I left feeling like I'd made a friend. Big is class in every way you can be.

Yes Don,you did it the right way my friend.

Listening to him talk about drag racing being a more family oriented sport, I recall the 60s and my father racing his '67 Chevelle w/ a 327 he had massaged into a rocket and won/placed all his races. Best part for me was being w/ him in the pits and checking out the other cars and their modifications. Just about anybody could walk through the pits, if they wanted to, it was all open to the spectators that wanted that close-up feel. I'd like to see it go back to where the fans were able to rub elbows w/ the racers and vise versa. It was an education and experience I wouldn't trade for any amount of money.

A man's man and a great human being. I used to attend the big races at Alamo Dragway in SA, TX and especially the Nationals. This was back in the late 70's and I remember seeing many legends race but I'll always remember Garlits. He and his crew were usually scruffy, dirty and oily but I don't mean that in a bad way. There were nicer looking rigs in the pits but Don and his team of 3-4 guys had that racer look others lacked. It's hard to explain but Don and his small crew looked like a bunch of gunslingers who came to town on a mission. They were 100% the real deal and the crowds were always on their feet to watch the showdown when he came to the line. There was a restaurant on the south side of town called Don Pedro's that I would always hit after the last cars had run, and I remember several times over the years when I would walk in around midnight and see Don and his small crew up to their elbows in Mexican food. He must have liked the place because he was almost always there after the race. DP's is still there but it was much smaller back then which meant I was often seated 2-3 tables from Don. His elbows were usually still dirty and he always wore a dirty Swamp Rat shirt and an oily baseball cap. More than once I was tempted to go over and ask for an autograph or tell him I was a big fan, but out of respect I never did. I figured he had had a long day like everyone else and probably wanted to enjoy his meal just like any other guy. But damn I wanted to! No, I would have to be satisfied with the memory of seeing him be himself for a while. Everything I've heard or seen Don say or do over the years speaks volumes about how genuine he really is.

One of my favorite drag racers of all time - second to my dad.

His greatest accomplishment in my humble opinion was the rear engine dragster. Many lives were saved by being out of the fireball of a blown engine.

Garlits and Petty~ the reason I drive Dodges to this very day~ Great racers and Legends~Thank you for the post~

Absolute 1000% respect for this man

As a "drag addict" being welded to the sport as I am, at the age I am, I remember growing up doing things like going to the public library and getting reference books related to nothing other than drag racing. Big Daddy, to me was what wings are to an airplane. Know his accomplishments from record setting performances to pioneering engineering staples to the sport. ...Then I finally got to meet this legend at a Super Chevy Show at the rock.... never forget the day. I met him and his wife and what he might love more than our sport...his Yorkshire Terriers 😆. Big Daddy I don't blame you they were kinda cute 😁😁 With all due respect to Big Daddy Don Garlits,.. Thanks for the autograph and your revolutionary contributions to the sport of drag racing!

Absolutely such a great guy! I was there back in the day to watch Big Daddy Don Garlits burn up the strip at Bristol. I would always get a pit pass and go stand behind the rope and watch Don and his crew do those incredible engine tear downs. He was focused but always friendly with his fans. I can't go to a drag race and not think of Don! To me he will always be the best!

The first legend of Drag Racing.....a simple, humble, honest man.....a man deserves every accolade that could ever be bestowed upon anyone. His contributions to the safety and wellbeing of the sport will never be surpassed."Big Daddy" Don Garlits.

He was always caring about racers safety and the rear engine was a game Changing and save lots of drivers life’s. He was a god fearing man and glad to meet him

My parents would take me to see Don race in Englishtown in the 80s as a kid. Those were some good times . Big DaddyG. Legendary.

The only time I stood in line to get an autograph was for Big Daddy. The greatest drag racer ever.

I just met him this year at the Gators and he truly is a humble man

Great interview of the legendary, one and only, Don Garlits. Thanks Don, for all you have done. Best wishes on the 200 MPH electric dragster, and everything else you work towards in the future.

Big Daddy was my favorite as a kid ....what a man to look up to!!! Long Live the Memories of Big Daddy and the( SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY SMOKING US 30 DRAG STRIP )

We love and respect you and your precious family, Big Daddy. You will be remembered forever….

A real hero of mine. I've been to his museum several times and have been privileged to have met him a couple of times. Always made time to chat with fans or those who've paid to look around his museum. Top fella and his museum should be visited at least once by anyone who's into Drag Racing.

I got to personally meet Don Garlits back in the 80s at Milan Michigan... Being a Mopar man it was fun talking to him. The years have went by so quickly. I'm glad I grew up in the 60s and 70s and met a lot of these old school drag racers. We spent a lot of time at the tracks and I loved every minute of it. Met a lot of his competition also. Some of them are gone now. Enjoy your life while you can. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us

what a living legend in the sport of drag racing I knew him via the videos I had of him I knew the early days of drag racing was the era of the pioneers just like him I knew the sport get better cause of him with the rear engine dragster that's saved a lot of lives that's due to that clutch explosion at lions in 1970 that's how he was a hero to me

What a great man! Drag racing wouldn’t be what it is today without him! A true legend as a drag racer a husband and a father! I grew up watching him race. Thanks for the memories Big Daddy!

the best of all time....a legend....

Amazing guy! What a champion he is.

Don Garlits is the king of Drag Racing he was my favorite when I was young and still is today the sad part is everyone is getting old and it just sucks knowing they are all going away

Absolute gentleman and legend I take my hat off to you Sir.

That's a good man right there thanks for the interview

What a great interview!! What a legend!!

I was at Pomona in '71 when Don won with his first rear-engine car. I was only 11 years old but he took a couple of minutes to say hi to me and my Dad and shake our hands.

I used to get to see Don Garlits in the Spring National events in Rockingham Dragway along with Shirley Muldowny and many other sensational drivers. Great memories and huge respect for Don Garlits.

I could set and listen to this man for ever he reminds me of my uncle Johnny just a great person

Back in my elementary school during the mid 60's my teacher asked us to do our very first book report. I went to the library. And lo, and behold, there was the book, "King Of The Dragsters" by Don Garlits. My first book report was on the early life of Don and his brother Alex and how they began repairing bicycles. Ever since then, Don has held my admiration. And knowing how GOD through Christ has spared him numerous times: even through tough times, his life has blessed my faith in Christ as well, to see me through my tough times.

What a nice guy!

What a humble man and one of the best behind the wheel of a top fuel dragster!!

This is why I’m a huge fan of mr garlits he his a family oriented man that made a living drag racing I’m met him and Shirley muldowny in Byron drag strip in 73 or 74 as a young kid god Bless big daddy thank you for the memories

Back in the day when I was running stock in several classes I knew the name but didn't know the man. Thanks to this video I finally got to meet the man and I immediately developed great respect and admiration. I'm young 81and my dragging days go back almost 60 years.

Love that guy...What a story.!

One of my heroes growing up in the sixties. If you listen to him you will understand why he is the king. Still out in front of the pack with his electric dragster. All the records will eventually fall to the technology. It will take another ten years so enjoy the noise while you can. Pike’s Peak unrestricted class record will probably never be held by internal combustion again.

The greatest Drag Racer that was ever to put a car on the track...... thank you Don for your time and effort you have provided to the Sport!

Living not far from his Museum of Drag Racing, I've been to it several times, he was there a couple of those times i went, I never got to Meet him but did exchange Hello's as he was busy in his office and said Hello to me and I said Hello to him as I stood at the check out counter, Would Love to Meet him tho and just to hear any one of his Life Long Stories would be Such an Honor, a True Legend of Drag Racing, and a Hero of Mine since the early to mid 70's,

I read books about don garlits when i was in grade school on up, and used to dream of being on the drag strip, wore out hot rod magazines and dreamed of buying parts....don garlits is a true man and gentleman and tho ive never broke any records i appreciate this documentary and it did me good to hear him talk of the old days, many thanks

Great man & great racer. Hats off to you Mr Garlits.

The man hasn't forgot where he came from, gotta respect that.

I love his museum and this is a great interview!! He truly is " the man " in drag racing. God bless you Don !! I would love to meet you someday.

Too bad his way of thinking doesn't exist today. Everything is disposable. Everything is backed by big money, instead of ingenuity and hard work.

Mr. Garlits was the thinking man's racer. He was always careful with his machines and in fact introduced a fair number of innovations. His dragsters were always the star of show and frankly were superior to other machines at the track. I'm glad he's still around to share his wisdom.

I had a nice chat with Don Garlits at H.A. Busbee Company in Ocala. He actually initiated the conversation so I was impressed that such a well known person was so down to earth.

My all time FAVORITE T/F driver. I was at Englishtown for the Summers Nat's when Don pulled that wheelie off the line . Just so happens my buddy and I decided to walk over to the Spectator Side just before for that race and I watched it unfold in front of me . AWESOME !

What a cool video, that guy is the real deal. I didn't know much about Don Garlits before watching this, too cool. I hope he hits the 200mph mark in the electric car!

I met him in the late 90's, This was at a Either a Super Chevy Show or a Car Craft show in in Commerce Ga. I didn't even know he was going to be there, never read that far. But during some downtime, we (my dad a family friend my brother and I) were walking around and stumbled on an old old dragster, I knew it was probably there for exhibition runs. I saw the Swamp Rat and Don Garlits on it and the only thing i could think to say was, "Is it real or a copy?", because who in their right mind expects to meet a living legend (remember i didn't know he'd be appearing). Imagine our surprise, when he walked out of the trailer and said "Oh it's real alright and it'll be running within the hour". I believe it was Swamp rat 3 unblown nitro and he had to drive it at the edge of the track (No prep), because the track prep would have ripped the rear end out of it. The thing I liked about Garlits is he wasn't arrogant, but he knew his worth, knew his ability, knew his impact and knew his place in History

Big Daddy such a CLASS ACT!!

Back in the late 70's my friends and I would hit Alamo Dragway every year during the Nat's and head to the pits for a close look at Garlits, Force, Bernstein, Shirley, and others. We knew Garlits was "The Man" back then but we had no idea he would become the legend that he is. What I also noticed, other than the cars of course, was the respect and trust among racers and fans. Teams would roll to the starting line and often leave various parts and tools out in the open and not once did I see anyone cross a rope or have grabby hands. No one dared cross the ribbon and if they would have I'm fairly certain the fans would have stomped a mud hole in their ass. Today the scene would play out much differently. Racers would return to an empty spot and see people standing around with their arms folded. It was very much a family thing that everyone respected, and in the pits Don worked fast and stayed focused on the car but was always friendly to everyone. I'm sure there were exceptions during his career but I didn't see anything like that. What I remember now as being especially cool was how all of us would end up at a local Mexican restaurant after the race. It was one of my favorite places and I guess Don liked it as well because we saw him there almost every year. . My friends and I would arrive around midnight and Don would show up with his crew minutes later - all wearing dirty jeans and oily hotrod t-shirts. Back then the place was small so we were usually seated just a few feet from each other. No one knew who he was and I didn't bug him for an autograph. He was just a good old boy and a hungry racer.

A role model everyone can be proud of , Don certainly was a good man .

Anyone who enjoys drag racing should visit his museum in Ocala, Florida. We just went, and it's almost unbelievable. I can't begin to describe everything we saw. If you don't see it, and you love drag racing, you've missed out on one of the greatest experiences you can ever have in life.

Sad to hear Pat has passed. Vaya Con DIos! My Garlets story: I believe it was 1988 Garlets had retired. I was living in Denver and my buddy and I and his 4 year old went to the Mile Highs, on the way to the track J. Max kept asking if Big Daddy was going to be there, We didn't know he was working with Shirley, so we kept telling him we'll see. For those who have never been to a big event the drivers spend as much time as they can between rounds visiting with fans. As we approached Shirley's pit you could see a bigger crowd than normal, both of them were standing at the rope signing autographs and talking to people. Max said it would be cool to get J. Max an autograph so with him carrying and me bulling my way through we got to the front, when we got to the front I yelled to Don "Hey Don see the little man behind me his only words all the way here is Big Daddy going to be there" Dan stepped over and took J. Max from his dad and started talking to him, Max took a picture Don shook J. Max hand, then handed him back to Max and moved on to the next person. That little boy was on cloud nine for the rest of the month! The picture I never got to see, but I was told there was a 8.5 X 11 framed photo hanging on the wall in his room, while dad's was a wallet size on the dresser. If you can make it go to his museum I got to go in 93 there is more than just drag cars and everyone of them has a story.

This man is so so wise, we need more wise men like this elder.

My hero in drag racing,I watched him many times at the winter Nationals at beeline international drag way in Mesa az,he is the king.

Always a class act. Truly a humble ambassador of drag racing. Just doing what he does and striving to be among the best at it.

Don will always be the King of drag racing .... I had the pleasure of meeting Big Daddy at the 2017 Night of Fire 🔥 at Eddyville Raceway Park in Eddyville Iowa 👍👍🇺🇸

Before i was born my dad drove a delivery truck for Jackson Bearing in Winter Haven,Fl. Mr. Jackson was the distributer of Champion spark plugs for atleast central and south Florida if not all of Florida. Well that was the plug of choice back then so Big needed plugs for his fuel car and his inventory to sell out of his speed shop. At this time T.C (Tom Lemons) was crew chief on bigs car. So my pop would do Garlits delivery last and hangout at the shop. My dad got his nickname because of Garlits. Marvin Swartz who drove for Big to complete his already scheduled match races after the lions dragway scenario showed up one time my dad was there at Garlits shop in Tampa and mentioned he was going to a race in Lakeland, and was looking for some help. It was only Marvin and his brother in law. So big told him that my dad was from Winter Haven and he asked my pops if he could come out and give him a hand. So my pop showed up and some of his friends/co workers came along. Well marvins brother in law had two plug wires crossed. Marvin did his burnout and my pop noticed two dead cylinders. So he proceeded to swap the wires while it was idleing which my dad said the magnito was lighting him up. The Announcer said over the PA, " look at that Pit Crew go to work" so my dads friends/coworkers called him "pit crew". The last time my pops went with me to Gatornationals 2015 or 2016, big is always there. My pop walked up to his trailer and big was like "Hey Don" i was little shocked. They sat there shooting the breeze for 10 minutes. Big had to go back to autographing books.

What a class act. Sure miss seeing him.

"Big Daddy" will always be the man. Went to school with his two daughters. They both had Indy Pace car edition Vettes.

THE legend of drag racing.

great story

Dear Big Daddy Don Garlits I've been watching you all my life actually I used to cut your Dragsters out of the book and drive them on the floor as paper cars love you man always will keep up the great work Carl and Sandra waving a hand

Don Garlitz is not only my hero because of his legacy and racing it’s the man of good character that I really respect he’s a straight shooter and he also loved one woman until departed That says a lot

What a great interview of a real class act.

Mr Garlits and Mr Petty both of those guys are heroes to me. They started with nothing and made it by being true gentlemen in the sport. Still lots of other racers that could be mentioned but they both are like royalty when it comes to being at the top of their respected sport.

Don you gave me the best memories Thank You.

it’s so good to see the old clips of the races including Shirley all these years later and Don has one of her cars in his Museumn

Shucks, I'm nothing special, I'm just me. Baloney, Don you are the best drag racer ever. Your contributions toward the sport's safety contributed to saving the lives of more racers than anyone else including the organization itself. Thanks for the memories.

what a class act.... thanks

He has a great book about his life , it's well worth the money to purchase it ! after reading it I have alot more respect for him and his accomplishments, Great Man

Here for sure and number one individual congratulations on your career

NY National Speedway in the 60s was a second home. My friends & I went nearly every weekend. You could buy a pit pass & walk around , talk to the crews & drivers. Learned a lot. Those guys were always willing to help , share ideas & even solve problems you might have with your car. Great days.

Awesome guy!

I finally made it to the museum then the gatornationals last year. I wasnt a big daddy fan as a kid however i am now and i have so much respect for what he did. Im so grateful that i finally toured the museum!! Big daddy you truly are the king!!

Thanks that was very good

Thank you Don.

I sure do like your videos!!

Bless you sir!

Dear NHRA: Please return to your roots. Sincerely, A Fan.

What a legend !

The first 50 seconds of this video is priceless !!!!!!!

Got to meet him during a book signing at Darlington Dragway back in the 80s I think. He had one of his early Swamp Rats there doing exhibition passes. Super guy.

Love the opening

Very good video that is the way he is in life 👍👍🇨🇦🛠️🛠️

I was Big DaddyDon Garlits in Union Grove, Wis. several times and it was always a great show. I sent him some pictures of his time at the strip.

Big was always a man I looked up to! He was a true man and a wonderful family man! Any new how to run pop!!

He has one of the coolest nicknames in all of sports.

Big Daddy !! coming for you straight out of the swamps of Florida !

If any of you out there in YT land are driving on I-75 past Ocala, Florida, do yourselves a great big favor and take a few hours to go through the Garlits Museum. It is well worth the time.

I remember him the way he wants . And always have !

got to see him at Fremont drag strip!