Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals to Feature Special Swap Rat Alley with 5 Historic Don Garlits Cars

GAINESVILLE, FL – Feb. 3, 2023 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Along with the incredible on-track action to kick off the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, the hallowed grounds of famed Gainesville Raceway will feature five of the most historic cars from legendary driver “Big Daddy” Don Garlits in a special “Swamp Rat Alley” section at the 54th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.

NHRA and Garlits, one of the most iconic drivers in drag racing history, have teamed up for the “Swamp Rat Alley” inside the Hot Rod Junction featuring six famous Garlits cars. The cars will be on display throughout the weekend at Gainesville Raceway, giving fans the unique chance to check out some of the most historic cars driven by one of the legends in the sport. Garlits will also be on hand throughout the weekend at Gainesville Raceway to meet with and sign autographs for fans.

Included in the Swamp Rat Alley will be the following:

• Garlits’ Flathead Dragster: This dragster was the car Garlits drove en route to victory at the Southeastern Championship, an event held in Lake City, Fla.
• Swamp Rat 1: The famed Swamp Rat 1 is in its original form and will be on display at Gainesville Raceway during the weekend.
• Swamp Rat 6B: This dragster was one of Garlits most successful entries, making plenty of history. It made the first 200-mph pass in 1964, won the ’64 NHRA Nationals and then set the sweep record the next year.
• Swamp Rat 13: The infamous Swamp Rat dragster that exploded on the starting line in 1970, leading Garlits to make the revolutionary change of designing a rear-engine Top Fuel dragster.
• Swamp Rat 14: Considered the first successful rear-engine dragster ever built, this Swamp Rat had a huge impact in Top Fuel. Garlits won the Winternationals in 1971 in the car and later the championship.
• Swamp Rat 22: This Swamp Rat went into the record books in a major way, as Garlits ran a monstrous 5.63 at the World Finals in 1975, making the first official 250-mph run in the sport.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Don, who was voted No. 1 in NHRA’s 50 greatest drivers list, as part of our 2023 kick-off event in Gainesville. He’s one of the greatest innovators the sport has ever seen and to have his masterpieces on display will be a huge moment for everyone,” said Evan Jonat, NHRA Vice President of Live Events. “It’s a great opportunity for our fans to get a taste of history in this way and presented in a unique…