In the minds of some, Garlits’ best years were behind him when, backed by good friend Art Malone, he showed up at the U.S. Nationals in an outdated Swamp Rat 26 with a crew of volunteers, but “Big Daddy” upset them all for his sixth Indy win. Garlits defeated Connie Kalitta in the final, resurrecting his career and leading to world championships in 1985 and ’86.
