'Donald Glenn Garlits (born January 14, 1932, Tampa, Florida) is an American race car driver and automotive engineer. Considered the father of drag racing, he is known as "Big Daddy" to drag racing fans around the world. A pioneer in the field of drag racing, he perfected the rear-engine Top Fuel dragster, an innovation motivated by the loss of part of his foot in a dragster accident. This design was notably safer since it put most of the fuel processing and rotating parts of the dragster behind the driver. The driver was placed in front of nearly all the mechanical components, thus protecting him and allowing him to activate a variety of safety equipment in the event of catastrophic mechanical failure or a fire. Garlits was an early promoter of the full-body, fire-resistant Nomex driving suit, complete with socks, gloves, and balaclava.

Garlits was the first drag racer to officially surpass the 170, 180, 200,[citation needed] 240, 250, and 270 mile-per-hour marks in the quarter mile; he was also the first to top 200 mph in the 1⁄8 mi. He has been inducted into several Halls of Fame and has won many awards during his career.'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Garlits#Career

He's the man

many happy returns Big !
a man of no equal in my eyes !

I have spent significant one-on one time with "Big". He's a really good, unassuming guy. That said, he doesn't take any crap, either. I enjoyed the time I spent with him and think very highly of Don, Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Mr. Garlits! 🎉☝️🐀

He is one of my Mopar heroes. I met him 15 years ago at his museum. His mom said he might be available. When the kids and I were looking at cars Big walked up and introduced himself. I was blown away. I asked him about his 62 Dart as I love them. Big was awesome! Same as Dandy Dick Landy! My two Mopar heroes.

both Big and Dandy Dick are hero's to me, as well as "Maverick".
my brother and i were fortunate enough to have met Dandy Dick and Maverick, who were spectacular gentlemen, and although didn't know us from beans, greeted us like old friends.
it would be perfect if we could meet Big, but as age has caught up to us, travel looks to be an impediment in fulfilling that goal.