When it comes to drag racing “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and Shirley Muldowney are legends of the sport.

Garlits and Muldowney were drag racing pioneers who paved the way for modern drivers.

Garlits’ numerous NHRA highlights include him recording the first 200-mph run in 1964 and competing in the first successful rear-engine dragster in 1971.

Muldowney meanwhile opened the door for all future female racers to follow as she accomplished countless first for her gender in NHRA.

Muldowney’s firsts for women included her being the first woman to win an NHRA national event title in a pro category in 1976 and the first woman to win a Top Fuel championship in 1977, something she also did in 1980. She also won an American Hot Rod Association title in 1981.

 

When it comes to drag racing “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and Shirley Muldowney are legends of the sport.

Garlits and Muldowney were drag racing pioneers who paved the way for modern drivers.

Garlits’ numerous NHRA highlights include him recording the first 200-mph run in 1964 and competing in the first successful rear-engine dragster in 1971.

Muldowney meanwhile opened the door for all future female racers to follow as she accomplished countless first for her gender in NHRA.

Muldowney’s firsts for women included her being the first woman to win an NHRA national event title in a pro category in 1976 and the first woman to win a Top Fuel championship in 1977, something she also did in 1980. She also won an American Hot Rod Association title in 1981.

Fast-forward to the present and Garlits and Muldowney both have a keen eye on the sport.

One driver who has caught Garlits’ eye is Antron Brown, who pilots the Matco Tools Top Fueler for Don Schumacher Racing.

“I was asked recently if I had a dragster in need of a driver who would I chose and it would be Antron,” Garlits said. “There are other drivers who I also like, but I really Antron’s attitude and just everything he brings to the sport. He is great for sponsors and he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He is such a good driver and he’s always dead on that light.”

Muldowney also was quick to share her thoughts on the NHRA’s new generation of drivers.

“I think some of them are great and some of them are awesome,” Muldowney said during the Mile-High Nationals in Morrison, Colo., last month. “Some of them do a really great job, and some of them should be doing something else.”

When asked if there was one driver more than another that she liked right now, Muldowney had a quick response.

“Matt Hagan,” Muldowney said. “He is the only one I like. That I root for. Everybody has to have a hero and he is my hero.”

Brown makes no secret about the fact Garlits is his hero, and when Big Daddy chose Antron as the driver he would want to be in his dragster, those are words Brown cherishes.

“That means a lot and it is something that is huge to me,” Brown said. “When you look back at history and all the stuff he has accomplished in drag racing, he has really made our sport of drag racing what is. He set the standards. He drove his car, he was his own crew chief and he built and innovated his own chassis. I have always looked up to him. I do not look at somebody how great they are, but I look at all the things that made them great. Big Daddy was a leader in what he did for the sport.”

Hagan, who drives the DieHard Funny Car for DSR, is well aware of Muldowney’s place in drag racing history.

“You take people like Shirley Muldowney who led the way for all the young women out there to be able to step into a race car nowadays,” Hagan said at the Mile-High Nationals. “She had to have some fire you know what I mean because she took a lot of abuse along the way, I’m sure. I have a lot of respect for her. When you see someone like Shirley running around out here and she comes to the races, you need to take the time and go over there and say thank you. Tell her how much you appreciate what she has done for the sport.”

Prior to the season-opening Winternationals, Muldowney provided words of encouragement for Hagan.

“I got a really cool letter from (former champion) Shirley Muldowney,” Hagan said on his matthaganracing.com website. “She wrote that she and her son were big fans and they expected me to be a champion someday. She didn’t have to write it, but she did and it means a lot to me. It was really cool to get this letter.”

In 2009 at the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, Garlits warmed up Brown’s dragster with the ESPN cameras rolling, which is something that is still etched in Brown’s mind.

“That was incredible to see him sit in there and you see his face light up,” Brown said. “You saw that stern look on his face like he was ready to go to war. I was just going to sit out for a day and let him race.”

Garlits said he will be back at the U.S. Nationals this year and looks forward to seeing Brown.

“I might ask again if he will let me warm-up his dragster and I might have him make a run in my (Stock Eliminator) car,” Garlits said.

Brown also admitted Garlits has given him racing advice.

“What I like about Big Daddy is that he is a gentleman and he is up front and when he put that helmet on he became a gladiator,” Brown said. “He said ‘Antron you cut their heads off at the starting line.’ That’s what he told me and I have got to share some good times with Big Daddy and got to talk with him on a 1-on-1 basis. He was my hero in this sport.”

Hagan respects what Muldowney thinks about him as a driver, but at the same time he is keeping his own career in perspective.

“I do not ever worry about being a legend, I just want to do the best job I can out here, and the rest will take care of itself,” said Hagan, who was second in the point standings a year ago to John Force. ”We all want to be great and it is just cool to be out here in one of these fuel Funny Cars.”