Don Garlits’s Net Worth
Don Garlits’s Net Worth
Published on November 05, 2022 17:52 PM by Andrew Koschiev
Net Worth: $15 Million
Born: January 14, 1932
Age: 90 Years
Gender: Male
Profession: Race car driver
Nationality: United States of America
About
Donald Glenn Garlits, also known as "Big Daddy", was born on January 14, 1932, in Tampa, Florida, USA. He is the winner of 17 world championship-winning drag races. His career has been active since the mid-1950s. He is also active in politics.
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Early Life
Don Garlits has a net worth of $15 million. This is largely accumulated through his successful career as a professional drag-car racer. Don Garlits comes from a low-income family. He spent his childhood in his hometown of Tampa and attended Hillsboro High School.
After his enrollment, Don became interested in racing and used parts from a 1927 Ford, his Model "T" Roadster, a 1948 Mercury, a 1939 Ford, and a 1948 Ford to build his first made car; with that car, Don won his first race in Lake City, Florida.
Just three years later, Don became a professional drag racer and has been an integral part of his racing scene for over 60 years. He is also known as the father of drag racing; he has won the American Hot Rod Association Championship 10 times, the International Hot Rod Association Championship 4 times, and the National Hot Rod Association Championship 3 times.
In 1970, he had a terrible accident when his car exploded, and part of his engine ripped off part of his right leg. This incident led to the invention and development of the rear-engine drag racing car.
He has been semi-retired since 1987 and races occasionally. Still, he recently set another record, a battery-powered automobile; he set a speed record of 184 miles per hour in an EV dragster.
Career
In 1989 he was inducted into the American Motorsports Hall of Fame. In 1997 he was expelled from the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. In 2004 he was expelled from the Automotive Hall of Fame. ESPN named him the 23rd greatest driver of all time.
Garlits now runs the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing on the property of his family's home in Ocala, Florida. He also stays connected to racing by commenting on his vision for ESPN and Speed at his events and performance shows.
In addition to his illustrious career as a Racing driver, Don is also recognized as a politician. In 1994, he was the Republican nominee for Florida's 5th congressional district.
However, his campaign failed as he lost to Democratic Party Karen Thurman. Don made many controversial statements about homosexuality, racism, and other sensitive issues during his campaign.
In 2008, he was one of the supporters of presidential candidate Ron Paul.
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Personal Life
Regarding his personal life, Don Garlits has been wedded to his high school sweetheart Patricia Bieger since 1954. The couple has two children.
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Social Media Handle
Wikipedia - Don Garlits
FAQ's
Q: What is Don Garlits doing currently?
A: Garlits runs the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing on the grounds of his house in Ocala, Florida.
Q: Why did Don Garlits retire?
A: Garlits was unwilling to face the retiring phase from racing in 1992 at 60 due to a detached retina in his eye.
Q: How Fast Is Don Garlits' Electric dragster?
A: Don Garlits made the best pass of 6.393 seconds at 182 miles per hour.
Q: How many kids does Don Garlits have?
A: He has two kids; Donna Garlits and Gay Lyn Capitano.
Q: Which rank The National Hot Rod Association gave to Don Garlits?
A: The National Hot Rod Association ranked him first on the Top 50 Drivers list from 1951 to 2000.