Garlits Is Winner in U.S. Nationals for Seventh Time

INDIANAPOLIS — Don (Big Daddy) Garlits, a 53-year-old veteran from Ocala, Fla., won his seventh U.S. Nationals drag racing title Monday by beating 23-year-old Darrell Gwynn of Miami, Fla., for a top fuel championship worth $40,000.

Garlits set an Indianapolis Raceway Park speed record of 263.00 miles per hour and set a single-season record for victories in the unlimited class by winning for the fifth time in the 1985 National Hot Rod Assn. season.

Garlits, who padded his lead in the Winston World Championship standings by beating Joe Amato of Old Forge, Pa., in the semifinals, shared the spotlight with John Lombardo of Saugus, Calif., and Bob Glidden of Whiteland, Ind., who prevailed in the funny car and pro stock categories.