<P> In September 2009, Garlits returned to the quarter mile, racing a specially prepared 2009 Dodge Challenger in the stock eliminator class at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana . </P> <P> In 1994, Garlits was the Republican Party nominee for Florida's 5th Congressional District . He was defeated by incumbent Democrat Karen Thurman . Garlits made several controversial statements during his campaign . On the subject of patriotism, he said, "We need to teach that America is great . The people that don't like it, we should have the FBI investigate them . Bring them before grand juries and charge them with subversive, traitorous activities . Have the FBI turn the heat up on them ." On homosexuality, Garlits commented, "The practice of a homosexual and what they do, to me, is just obnoxious . It's sickening to me ." On race relations in America he said, "Black people have more power than white people in this country now because they have been so run over through the years that now the pendulum has swung ." </P> <P> He supported the Republican candidacy of Ron Paul for President in 2008 . </P> <Ul> <Li> In 2004 he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame . </Li> <Li> In 1997, he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame . </Li> <Li> He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1989 as the sole representative of drag racing . </Li> <Li> On the National Hot Rod Association Top 50 Drivers, 1951--2000, Don Garlits was ranked No. 1 . </Li> <Li> In 1987, Garlits' record - breaking 270 m.p.h. car, "Swamp Rat XXX" was inducted into, and enshrined at The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. </Li> <Li> In 2008, he was inducted into the inaugural hall of fame class at Gateway International Raceway . </Li> <Li> In 2008, ESPN ranked him 23rd on their top drivers of all - time . </Li> </Ul>

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