"Big Daddy's" living legacy and racecar design innovations are so significant that his record breaking Swamp Rat XXX is enshrined in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.   Don Garlits began racing in 1950 and scored his first major victory in 1955. His first NHRA National event win came in 1963 at the Winternationals in Pomona, CA. Don has won the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals a record 8 times.  His four decades of Drag Racing have filled the pages of seven books. Although this list is not exhaustive, the facts below provide a good overview of "Big Daddy" Don Garlits' colorful racing career.

1972 Popular Hot Rod Magazine declared Swamp Rat "The Dragster of the Decade," 1960 - 1970.
Voted into Auto Racing All-American Team by the AARWBA - 1970,' 71', 72,' 73,' 74,' 75,' 79,' 84,' 85,' 87
Car Craft Magazines All-Star Team, "Top Fuel Driver of the Year" - 1969,' 70,' 72,' 73,' 75,' 76,' 77,' 78,' 86
Car Craft Magazines All-Star Team, as "Chassis Builder of the Year," (Top Fuel) 1970 and 1971
Car Craft Magazines "Man of the Year" - 1969,' 71,' 72,' and 1973
Drag News Magazine voted Don as "Man of the Year" - 1971, 1973, and 1975
American Hot Rod Association (AHRA), "Fuel Driver of the Year" -1971,' 72,' 73, and 1974
1971- Presidentual Guest at the White House - Also received the Chris Schenkel Award Founder and President of the Professional Racers Organization (PRO) - 1972, 73, 74, 75, and 1976
1973- Inducted into the Florida Pro Sports Hall of Fame - Race Drivers Hall of Fame, Ontario, CA
1974- Honorary President of the Cragar 5 - second club - MotorSports Hall of Fame, Ontario, CA
1975 - Elected to the Goodyear Motorsports Advisory Board - Key to the City of Tampa
1985 - Inducted into Motorsports Hall of Fame, Talladega, AL - Received the Sid Collins Award
1967 - Received the Keys to the City of Daytona Beach - Keys to the City of Las Vegas in 1984
1985 - Chosen by Racers for Christ and NHRA Division 2 as "Person of the Year"

For more info on The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing go to www.garlits.com