![]() If you like drag racing, engines and antique cars, you should take the time to visit this museum. It was Shirley Muldowney! He had been standing in front of her exhibit, waiting for her call, so he could show her how he had arranged some of her helmets. He graciously let me get a photo with him. He shared some cool stories with me about visiting the troops in Viet Nam, meeting the President at the White House, how racing has changed, and his 30 years as a Volunteer Navy recruiter. I said, "I read that you are at least 85 years old.you are in such great shape, I couldn't believe it would really be YOU." He smiled. I am not one to get "star struck, " yet for some reason he touched my heart and I got a little misty eyed. It was like walking through a NHRA time warp of history from. I said, "YOU are Daddy Don Garlits?" He said, "yep." I said."Really, or are you just teasing me?" He took his wallet out of his back pocket and showed me his driver's license. Don Garlits has put together a museum that will fire up anyone who loves speed and and drag racing. If I could have driven a stick shift, I would have loved to drive a dragster." The man quietly said "I have driven every car in this place." I looked at him. Next to me was a good looking guy in a well worn Daddy Don tee shirt, a pair of jeans and a baseball cap. I was standing in front of Shirley Muldowney's exhibit. ![]() Lots of restaurants nearby.Īfter years of passing the Don Garlits museum on I75, we finally planned a trip. Make sure you plan to stay for at least two hours. No race fan should miss this place, an easy 90-minute drive from Daytona International Speedway. Inductees will be honored during the 32nd annual International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Banquet on Thursday, March 10, at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Gainesville, Florida. Easy parking and a great gift shop with autographed memorabilia, too. The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing has announced its class of 2022 for the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Even if you are nor a drag racing fan, you will be in jaw-dropping awe when you pass through the door. And now in his 90s, he is frequently around this wonderful monument. Garlits is not just the greatest drag racing legend, he is also a great story teller. But don't miss the short movies, especially the one with the benches in a corner. ![]() Every display has a detailed story and history. Shirley, the Snake, the Mongoose and Force are all here along with Don's garage and Smokey Yunick's replica shop. All the great drivers and their cars are showcased, from the very beginning with the primitive Bug and very first Swamp Rat. What an amazing museum.Here is the entire history of drag racing in one gigantic building, hundreds of cars, rails and funny cars, engines and even the trophies. ![]()
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