my prayers go out to you, your family and your wife mr. garlits. it is true that doctors are not always correct as they dont take into account the miracles the lord does. my mother had an aneurism in 1998 and wasnt supposed to make it through the surgery let alone the recovery. the doctor said if she did she would never be able to drive again, walk, or even talk correctly. turns out she made it through everything and drives everywhere on her own and talks. there are times when she gets tired and messes up her words but i would rather have that over the other options. the first time i heard about big daddy me and my pops was driving down the road (dont remember why) and i saw his semi and said who the heck is big daddy don garlits? and whats that all about pop. he looked at me and said you dont know who he is? knowing i didnt and he then proceeded to tell me about him and his racing career and i thought cool can we follow them and see where they are going? i didnt ask cause im pretty sure we were actually heading somewhere. i was also only about 10 years old. stuck in my head since then.
A true legend also highly regarded here in Australia. Don and Pat while I don't personally know you, I have known of you most of my life. Our thought are with you and your family.
our most positive thoughts go out to Don and his wonderful wife, Pat. they have been such an inspiration to so many of us.
on one of his 1st trips to the west coast i was walking around the pits at bakersfield & came upon garlits running the valves...... not another person was any where nearby...i knew who he was but i guess at that stage of his career not too many others did...as i walked up to him & stood watching him he then showed me how he had the pulley marked & could do the valves by lining up the marks/in just 2 turns of the crank.... he asked me if i knew how to open the oilcans&had me fill up the engine... pretty neat thing to do for a teen age kid.......no one came up only his truck with the shell on the back was nearby.........thanks mr.Garlits.......he still has that truck...evertime i see it i recall this ............
Our prayers are with you, I remember seeing his first rear engine at Bakersfield, was taking pictures of our 340 Duster, but got one of his. Sent it to him back in the 90's and confirmed the run. Nicest guy I ever met. God speed
Hang in there "Big " praying things will be better tomorrow. Saw you at Twin City drag way in the twin cities , back in the day. Bill
Growing up in S. Fla in the 60's Big Daddy has always been a hero of mine, here's wishing you and your wife the best. Prayers already said.
I've met Don Garlits in several different events in FT Worth, TX; Bristol, TN, Tulsa, OK, and Morrison, CO. Every time I've talked to him, he always has time for what you want to say...always! The man is class, all the way! Prayers are out to Don and Pat. Strokes are a terrible, terrible thing.
prayers for Big and Pat - met big many years ago on a rainy day at Cayuga - right before he blew the side out of an early Hemi in his restored digger. Was still smiling afterward.
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