Comparing Garlits to Force is probably not a fair comparison... Garlits was there in the beginning when there was room for innovation and new designs... Now there's very little room for anything new and innovative, the rules are too tight and the inspections to thorough... Granted Don was an innovator but that was in the days when innovation was allowed.

Force is an organizer, knows who to hire and lets them do their job. I can't even imagine the intensity required to run 4 Funny car teams plus a Top Alcohol Team. John also has a museum and his innovations are in the area of safety more then anything, his crew chiefs and wrenches do the go fast stuff.

Comparing Garlits to Force is comparing apples to oranges, Garlits was there at the beginning, Force came along later when Funny Car racing was already going strong. In his time, Garlits was definitely the best, but for currently active drivers Force gets the nod---his racing record speaks for itself.

I don't understand the "ego" thing about John. At an event, he's the first one to the ropes to sign autographs, always has time for the reporters, and doesn't give a rip about politically correct, he says what's on his mind!!! (Though non of us will ever understand how John's mind works!!!!!) John didn't start out a rich man, nobody gave him 4 race teams, and the big $$$$$ sponsors didn't wait at his door to hand him the millions it takes to stay at the top of the game as long as he has.... He's worked his tail off for everything he has and his record speaks volumes about his abilities... Those 15 championships were earned competing against other teams that were equally as well funded as Force Racing. The more races you win, the more money you have, the more money you have, the more races you win. Or in plain language, success breeds success......

Subjectively, Garlits will always be the favorite. Though personally I'd say guys like Prudhomme, Schumacher, McEwen, Sox and Martin, and many others also had a lot of influence on drag racing as we know it today.... Objectively, doubt anyone will eclipse some of the records Force has set....