Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Fast times, Garlits appearance expected at Indy

Thursday, Aug. 16, 2001 | 10:32 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at bh@lasvegassun.com or 259-4089.

The National Hot Rod Association has a national event this weekend in Brainerd, Minn., but the eyes of the drag racing world already are focused on Indianapolis and the upcoming 47th annual U.S. Nationals.

Not only do some observers expect to see record times put up on the newly repaved drag strip at venerable Indianapolis Raceway Park, longtime drag racing fans are anticipating a healthy dose of nostalgia, as well.

"Big Daddy" Don Garlits, one of drag racing's legendary drivers who retired from active competition in 1992 after suffering a partially detached retina, plans to compete in the U.S. Nationals on Labor Day Weekend in an attempt to add the one thing missing from his impressive resume: "Big Daddy" wants to go 300 mph.

Garlits, who became the first driver to break the 190, 200, 240, 250, and 270 mph barriers in a Top Fuel dragster, never made a 300-mph run during his illustrious career.

"I'm tired of telling people that I've only been 5.07 at 287 mph," Garlits, 69, said. "I meet thousands of people every year and one of the universal questions is 'How fast have you been?' I have to tell them I've never run a four or been over 300."

Garlits is working with Top Fuel team owner Don Schumacher to get the team's second dragster for the U.S. Nationals.

Adding to the nostalgia for the Aug. 29-Sept.3 event will be an appearance by three-time Top Fuel champion Shirley Muldowney, a longtime rival of Garlits' who will return to NHRA Top Fuel ranks for the U.S. Nationals.

During the past 14 years, he has compiled a 46-5 record (a .902 winning percentage), losing only once in the finals to Kenny Bernstein in 1987. In the NHRA's 50-year history, only 48 pro drivers have won as many as nine events in an entire career, let alone nine at one track.

Koretsky returns to action with a new sponsor, The New Auto Toy Store, for the remainder of the 2001 season.

On Friday, Sept.7, The Strip will present NHRA "Wally" trophies (named in honor of NHRA founder Wally Parks) to winners in Import Eliminator and Street Muscle categories. High School Eliminator and Gamblers also will compete that night.

On Saturday, Sept.8, the 50th-anniversary celebration continues with the special trophies going to winners in Pro, Sportsman, Street, Super Quick, Motorcycle and High School Eliminator categories. The Sept. 8 meet also marks the final race of The Strip's National Performance Center E.T. Bracket Racing Series.

Brown competed at the first Nationals in the Open Dragster and competed the last few years in the Super Comp class. His best result was a semifinal finish in the AA/GD (Gas Dragster) class in the late 1960s. Brown is survived by his wife, Phyllis.