Don Garlits
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Donald Glenn "Don" Garlits (born January 14, 1932, Tampa, Florida) is considered the father of drag racing. He is known as "Big Daddy" to drag racing fans around the world. Always a pioneer in the field of drag-racing, he, with the help of T.C. Lemons, relating at least in part to the loss of a portion of his foot in a drag racing accident, perfected the rear-engine "top fuel dragster design". This design is notably safer as it puts most of the fuel processing and rotating or reciprocating parts of the dragster behind the driver. The driver is placed in "clear air" in front of nearly all mechanical components, thus remaining capable of activating a variety of safety equipment in the event of catastrophic mechanical failures or fire. Garlits was an early promoter of a full-body, fire-resistant suit - complete with socks and gloves, often branded as Nomex.
Garlits was the first drag racer to officially surpass the 170, 180, 200, 240, 250, and 270 miles per hour marks in the quarter mile; he was also the first to top 200 in the 1/8 mile. Note that all official NHRA records require a "back-up" (speed and elapsed time within 1% of the record) run during the course of the particular event where the record was set to verify the newer, higher level of performance. He has been inducted in numerous halls of fame and has won numerous awards during his career.

I remember watching his classic races against Don "The Snake" Prudhomme in the 60's and 70's and Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney in the 70's

That was always fun to watch!!

Beats the fuq out of NASTCAR


Ron

One ballsey dude.

Had a museum in Orlando Florida area. I helped move a friend out there, and we went to the museum to pull a car off of its trailer. We were there right before closing. An older gentleman came out and helped us take the car off the trailer, and then asked If we would help him pus a car out of the garage. It was a top fueler, he climbed in, thanked us, and then blasted down the driveway between the museum garage, and his house. It was the "Daddy" himself. What a man!

Can't argue with that Ron.....

I loved to watch him as a kid, he was the man.

You watched him when he was a kid??

I am not that old when I was a kid, I ment

Did you eat ivy?

My first experience watching a nitro car go down the track was 1972 at US 131 Martin Dragway (track is still hosting races). I was instantly hooked. Over the years at many events I had the pleasure of watching and speaking with "Large Father". Always very nice to me and had lots of time to talk at the end of the day.

I still attend a couple of NHRA national events a year. Good family entertainment. I watch the ESPN3 live feed of each event much as possible. I like NASCAR. I love drag racing.