'Big Daddy' Don Garlits's Tales from the Drag Strip Launches with Book Tour


			Submit Press Release

<< Previous | Next >>

Thu, 24 Jun 2004, 10:21 AM

Courtesy of Allison Holt

OCALA, Fla. -- Tales from the Drag Strip with "Big Daddy" Don Garlits is a first-person account written by Bill Stephens of the many memorable experiences this drag racing icon has lived through in his half-century of nitromethane-fueled exploits. The many races, racers, race fans and race tracks which have touched his colorful career are recounted as only Big Daddy can, painting a vivid picture of his life at speed and the triumphs and tragedies that came along the way.

"When I first sat down with Big Daddy and his wife, Pat, to begin the book, I wasn't sure just what kinds of "tales" to expect,” said Bill Stephens. “Drag racers sometimes have a way of spinning yarns about their past experiences that, after a while, all begin to sound alike. Five minutes into Big Daddy's first story, I was completely hooked. Big Daddy not only had an endless parade of fascinating remembrances, but the great energy and delight he radiated with each one was as entertaining as the stories themselves. He really is a special man."

For the last 50 years, Big Daddy has been on the move, traveling from coast to coast with his series of "Swamp Rat" Top Fuel dragsters, electrifying fans and adding to his already immense legend as an innovator, a visionary, and a champion. At the 2001 U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, the sport's most prestigious event, Big Daddy achieved what may be his most cherished personal milestone, covering the quarter-mile in less than five seconds at more than 300 miles per hour for the first time in his storied career.

“I had a great time thinking back of all the great memories,” said Garlits, who in 2001 was named the No. 1 racer on the list of the 50 Greatest Drivers in NHRA History. “I am excited that the fans are now able to read all of the funny stories I had experienced.”

Tales from the Drag Strip with "Big Daddy" Don Garlits may be found at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, B. Dalton, Books-A-Million, and at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing.

Book Tour Schedule

Book Tour dates may also be found at www.sportspublishingllc.com.

Book Excerpt:

Everything just sort of smoothed out after that, and the NHRA contacted me to tell me they were
going to do some Top Fuel testing in 1963 at the Winternationals in Pomona. Believe it or not,
I actually led their campaign to get the drivers who had stuck with gasoline to come out and run
with nitro again. A lot of those drivers were really unhappy with the NHRA because it was
bringing back fuel.

I submitted an entry sheet and told the other drivers that we should all support this event. I
told them we needed the NHRA to support Top Fuel and we should all turn out.

Top Fuel wasn’t going to be the featured class at this event, but it got all of the publicity.
Of course, the fans were all standing up and cheering when the fuel cars ran, and it was quite a
deal. In the final I beat Art Malone in my car with the wing over the engine, and I have to
give Bruce Crower credit for it because it was his idea. He said, “We have got to have more
traction, because the cars are so light and we have so much power. This wing is free. We’ll
get some downforce without suffering a lot of drags.”

He designed the whole wing assembly and had a friend of his build it for us down in Chula Vista,
California. But after we got it on the car, I had a problem with the NHRA because of it.

When I got to Pomona, Jack Hart of NHRA tech crew took a look at that wing and asked, “What is
this? I don’t know if we can let you run with this.” I said, “Jack, when the smoke clears,
every dragster in competition everywhere will have a wing on it some day. Trust me.”

He said, “Garlits, you are so wrong. That’s the most obnoxious-looking thing I’ve ever seen.”
Well, I think they all have wings now.

Co - Author Information:

Bill Stephens is a life-long "motorhead" who became hooked on cars almost from birth. After a
25-year career as a morning disc jockey in Boston, Hartford, and Los Angeles, he moved to
automotive television in 1989, producing and hosting the award-winning series "Wild About
Wheels" for the Discovery Channel. Since then, he has been involved in the production and/or
hosting of numerous automotive programs seen on CBS, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Speedvision, Outdoor
Life, TNN, Fox, and the Family Channel. He is currently a member of the ESPN talent team that
covers NHRA POWERade Drag Racing, hosts "NHRA2day" on ESPN2, and covers the NHRA for ESPN Radio,
espn.com, ESPN Magazine, Autoweek, and Drag Racer Magazine.

Press Releases: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ]

Jul 29- Team Aruba Shines on Tickets in Madison

Jul 29- Mitch Smith and Jasper Engines Update

Jul 29- ATI Drivers Dominate at the Superbowl

Jul 28- DENVER - Katie Sullivan Wrap Up

Jul 28- DENVER - James Day Wrap Up

Jul 28- HOUSTON - Mick Snyder Wrap Up

Jul 28- Will Martin Sacramento Preview

Jul 27- Kris Krabill Cedar Falls Wrap Up

Jul 27- Troxel to Drive Europe's Quickest Pro Mod Car in Hockenheim

Jul 27- Full Throttle 'Hard Working Crew' Award Goes to GEICO Powersports Suzuki Team

Ready to take your order at 1-800-230-3030 | Customer Service 1-800-517-1035

Advertise on Drag Race Central