I stumbled across this youtube video. The first story is just so unbelievable. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnX-XWK6K1E&ab_channel=TomSchuster ;

Thanks for posting this link. I had the pleasure of meeting Don at a Super Chevy Show at Gainesville several years ago. He had a display and wasn’t busy so we had a long conversation. I told him that I first saw his car at York US 30 dragway in Pa. in 1961. And that he wasn’t driving the car and that Connie Swigle was. He told me the whole story as to wh6 he wasn’t driving that night. His memory is unbelievable. I’ve been to his museum twice. If you are going by it i highly recommend going to it. If you do and are lucky he will be there. He rates right beside Richard Petty when it comes to being fan friendly. 

This video is wel” earth the watch.

WOW that was a truly amazing video! I never had the pleasure of meeting Don, but I do recall seeing him race at Raceway Park in Englishtown. I wasn't there to witness his flip. He's an Ambassador for the sport hands down and the ultimate innovator when it comes to Top Fuel Dragsters!

A funny thing happened to me back in the 70's. They had one of Don's Swamp Rats at the Flemington GM/Buick dealership. Don wasn't there but the representative was and asked me, do you want to get in the car and get a picture? I said, HELL YEAH!  I climbed in, but Don was much shorter than my 6' frame. I squeezed in but got stuck and couldn't get out. How the hell they raced in those bullets still baffles me. Finally two guys from the parts department came out and pried me out of it. I have no idea what ever became of that picture, but would love to have it today. 

HEY !! IN MY SOPHMORE YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL-1968-

SAW MY FIRST DRAG RACE AT E'TOWN--THE FEATURE WAS DON GARLITS VS."TV"TOMMY IVO !!!!

STILL REMEMBER GARLITS WON !!

BLESSINGS !!

BILL