NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The Garlits surname is one of the most famous and revered names in drag racing history, but, outside of his electric-powered exhibition dragster, fans of “Big Daddy” Don Garlits haven’t had a lot to cheer about since his retirement from Top Fuel competition in 2003.

That may change soon as Garlits’ great-nephew, 29-year-old Chris Garlits, prepares to begin his own drag racing journey later this season.

Chris Garlits, right, father Ed Garlits Jr., left, and "Big Daddy."

The younger Garlits is the son of Ed Garlits Jr. and grandson of Ed Sr., who partnered with and even drove some of “Big Daddy’s” earliest dragsters. Chris Garlits and his father both worked with Don on his Drag Pak Dodge Challenger in 2011 and 2012, but Chris is ready to follow the family footsteps into the dragster world.

It won’t be in Top Fuel — at least not yet — as the youngest Garlits will enter the fray in Super Comp and bracket racing with a Super Cop-style dragster. He’ll attend the Frank Hawley School of drag racing soon to get some hands-on experience from the former Funny Car world champ.

“I've always dreamed of doing this,” said Garlits. “I wake up every day thinking [of] drag racing, and there’s never a day it hasn't crossed my mind. After talking to [school instructor and Funny Car racer] Jeff Arend, I decided that wanted to start in Super Comp and work my way up, kind of doing it conventionally."

Based in Tampa, Fla., the younger Garlits has access to a slew of tracks in the Sunshine State and, of course, access to Ocala-based “Big Daddy” for career advice.

“Back when we were on the road with Don helping him run the Challenger, he gave me advice, and it stuck with me for a long time,” said Chris. “When we were sitting in Beech Bend during the Hot Rod Reunion, and I told him how much I wanted to go racing, and he looked at me and said, ‘You know, back in the ‘60s, you'd be a champion because of your drive, but it's a whole different environment today.’ That told me he believes in me, and I would be mad at myself if I never tried to pursue it. He's not interested in going racing right now, but I know I have his support.”

Growing up a Garlits was an interesting and informative time for Chris as he quickly grew to understand the legend of “Big Daddy.”

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked if I know him. You go to a restaurant, they see your [credit] card with the Garlits name on it, and they ask, ‘Hey, are you related?’ Yep, I'm related.

“My dad toured with Don back in the late '70s and early ‘80s. And I heard all the great stories over the years from him and from my grandfather.

“I know I'll never be able to pass him, but I want to add my contribution to our family legacy,” he said. “I can only hope to be a quarter of what he was but, you know, I'm going to try my best, but, ultimately, it's going to be my own path. I'm working to make my own mark; I'm not trying to intrude on his legacy. I'm trying to do my own thing and respect that. That's his career.”

Chris will get his feet wet doing some bracket racing before tackling any divisional competition.

“Right now, racing depends somewhat on sponsorship, and I won’t lie, I don’t have anything yet. I've got Bradenton Motorsports Park really close to me that does a lot of big bracket events, and I’ve got Gainesville Raceway just down the road, only a couple hours out. 

“I was hoping to be able to test at the end of the year, maybe a couple of the bracket events this year, assuming the car is running up to par. It's a learning curve and, if everything works out, maybe I can run in Gainesville next year.”

You can follow Chris Garlits’ journey on his Facebook page.