How much does an F1 car weigh in 2023 and what's included in the limit? That 1978 season also included Ongais starting in the middle of the first all-200-mph front row at Indianapolis, between pole-sitter Sneva and rookie Rick Mears. That was the same year that Ongais became an Indy car winner. Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting, Why Kirkwood is USA's ace-in-waiting Ongais died Feb. 26, 2022 from congestive heart failure in Anaheim Hills, California. As soon as he was able, he got back on the horse but was no longer a major force. Danny Ongais had a net wort estimated at $5 million dollars. A fearless figure on the racing circuit, Ongais was nicknamed "On-Gas" and "The Flyin' Hawaiian."[1]. He had previously been inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 1992. WebOngais has been a man of mystery since he first arrived on the mainland from his native Hawaii and set the world of drag racing on its ear. Ongais final attempt at Indianapolis came in 1998, when he failed to qualify in a Team Pelfrey car. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. Tommy Ivo and the five-second Top Fuel run that ignited a controversy, Wheelie neat! 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His best years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway came with Interscope Racing and its eye-catching No. He also competed in four Formula 1 races in 1977 and 1978, including two starts with Interscope, with a best finish of seventh in the 77 Canadian Grand Prix. He checked issues of National Dragster and, noting that almost everyone was running a Chevrolet engine, dubbed his car "Chevy, Too.". Ongais died from congestive heart failure in Anaheim Hills, California, on February 26, 2022, at the age of 79. ", Pomona 1962: That's Ongais, second from left,standing next to Leong. He did his own thing. The cars were fragile on the half shafts, and he liked to drive them hard sometimes. When you invest in software, you invest in the efficiency of a lot of your people. Ongais had always expressed a desire to drive an Indianapolis 500 car. ''But he broke her heart,'' says a friend. Visitation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Celebration of Mass at 10:30 a.m. Burial at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. I think that it is very important to see that the company emphasizes bringing the right people in, and the right people are women.. During a recent episode of his Off Track podcast, Rossi noted the Thermal test hit some snags as the IndyCar team learned to communicate with McLarens software systems in England. Next, he wants a man who will project the Penske image to sponsors and the press. They teamed up with the legendary Hurley Haywood to win the Rolex 24 At Daytona in 1979 in the Interscope Porsche 935 prototype. For Penske the hiring of Ongais was an aberration, a minor breach of his own immutable rules. He did things that guys like me only dream about doing. Im really happy to be working with (Todd) because its a different culture for her. And wants to make this something special. A writer who had followed his career closely and thought he knew Ongais fairly well visited him in the track hospital. He then competed at the Gould Twin Dixie 125 however bad luck hit Ongais in both races. Nearly 50 percent of the team is comprised of engineering, commercial and finance positions with skillsets that transcend racing. The group of people that are in charge (of) who joins the team, I think they know exactly what we need, and I trust theyre going to make the right decisions. How much he loves IndyCar. When he got his chance, he did not disappoint anyone. RIP Danny Ongais pic.twitter.com/AqJW32Ko2o, Arie Luyendyk (@ArieLuyendyk) March 1, 2022. It is his and his alone. Jim Nelson once said that what he could tell about Ongais was that "all he wanted to do was race. Parents: The undercover bloggers Parents are not Weve expanded our operations pretty significantly, she said. After finally leaving the pits, Ongais approached a slower car at the end of the backstretch. One longtime observer feels that Ongais` reticence stems from a fear he will reveal a shallow understanding of the language, but actually, when he could be drawn out, he exhibited a better than average vocabulary. Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCars next winning match-up? Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a14578fbd9028fa Eventually progressing through regional series and Formula 5000, Ongais and Field moved to USAC and Indy cars in 1976 under the banner of Interscope Racing. Ongais made his CART debut during the 1979 season driving the #25 Panasonic/Interscope Racing Parnelli 6C-Cosworth DFX. His first Indy car race was the 1976 California 500 at Ontario Motor Speedway, where he finished 28th after a crash. Ongais came into the pits on lap 63 as the leader of the race, but problems during the stop caused it to drag on for a disastrous 46 seconds. Danny faced a ton of heart problems in his old age. Even with a short 10-year stint in drag racing, Ongais was still so well regarded that he was voted No. Thats what it is all about, any way you can add another 500 horsepower, you do it. In the same way the rodeo champion could break anything on four legs, Ongais could tame anything on four wheels. He finished runner-up to Mike Snively in the Top Fuel class at the 1966 NHRA U.S. Nationals after beating the legendary Don The Snake Prudhomme in the semifinals at Indianapolis Raceway Park. he asked Ongais, who was not badly hurt. Ongais had no fear. Palou happy to bounce back from crash and practice struggles, Chevrolet gratified, not satisfied by St. Pete IndyCar win, Hardwick slams flawed IMSA BoP, announces WEC plans, Hardwick slams flawed IMSA BoP In 1996, at the age of 54, after nine years away from racing, he served as the substitute driver in the Indianapolis 500 for Scott Brayton, who had died in a crash before the race. WebDanny Ongais, the Hawaiian driver admired by fans and competitors for his speed and bravery in an Indianapolis 500 career spanning three decades, died Feb. 26 of Linda Vaughn presented him with a diamond-studded belt buckle. He dominated six races in USAC-sanctioned single-seater racing and finished eighth in the title. Arguably Ongais best chance to win the Indy 500 came in his mid-40s in 1987, when Interscope partnered with Team Penske to run a Penske-Chevrolet at the Memorial Day Weekend classic. Weve pulled a No. Ongais raced and drove a number of Top Fuel cars in those years, including this cool-looking winged slingshot at the 1972 Winternationals. Type above and press Enter to search. Whether its grabbing a badass mechanic out of World of Outlaws and introducing them to IndyCar. The times I got to know him; he was one that you always admired. 25 Parnelli and Penske chassis powered by Cosworth engines, with a best finish of fourth in 1979 and a top start of second next to pole sitter Tom Sneva in 1978. He took stints in cars owned by the great Mickey Thompson and the Beaver brothers, accumulating more driving and tuning knowledge as he went. While Ongais was known for his blazing speed at Indianapolis and elsewhere, he also attracted attention for surviving some of the most violent crashes of his era. Sulley Muntari, Agyeman Badu, Asamoah Gyan, others visit Christian Atsus family home, VIDEO: Government will be fully involved in providing Christian Atsu a befitting burial Dr. Bawumia, Christian Atsus mortal remains arrive in Ghana via Turkish Airlines, Maybe I created enemies along the line Kofi Amoabeng on UT Banks collapse, Christian Atsu was one of Ghanas finest personnel Akufo-Addo, This is some food chain story Archipalago shamed for chasing clout with Christian Atsus death. And I found her in a magazine and just reached out to her., ST. PETE PRIMER:Schedules, start times and how to watch the 2023 IndyCar season opener, PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS: Its crowded at the top with Ganassi and Penske drivers. He also competed in four Formula One races in 1977 and 1978, including two starts with Interscope, with a best finish of seventh in 1977 at the Canadian Grand Prix. Ongais scored a best finish of 5th place at the Escort Warning Radars 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Ongais stared at the money in his hand as if it were something a passing bird had just dropped there. They teamed up with the legendary Hurley Haywood to win the Rolex 24 At Daytona in 1979 in the Interscope Porsche 935 prototype. His death was announced by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway two days later. Ongais final attempt at Indianapolis came in 1998, when he failed to qualify in a Team Pelfrey car. Join Facebook to connect with Danny N Patsy Ongais and others you may know. So we just have to keep that, and well be all right.. The versatile Ongais made 11 Indianapolis 500 starts between 1977 and 1996, with four top-10 finishes. Autoweek participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. But were also pretty realistic that you cant rob Peter to pay Paul, so were not always going to be able to hire from motorsports and especially other IndyCar teams. Then weve got some really experienced guys from other IndyCar teams as well.. There are some inherent advantages for a team in IndyCar, whose 17-race schedule is more manageable than NASCAR (36 races in 37 weeks) and Formula One (which has expanded to 24 races around the globe). He was smiling and said, Hell of a race. That was Danny Ongais. Plus, the tracks were not prepared with traction compound like they are today, making them a lot more slick and tougher to drive on. WebChapman did state that well into their relationship he learned Ongais was married and had a son. But he continued to build a wall of silence around himself. I personally liked the On the Gas nickname more because it was a play on his last name, and more importantly, that was the way he drove. In 1977, his first full year on the championship car circuit, he won a race at Michigan and was named rookie of the year. We were about the same age, but I always thought he was older than me because he was so mysterious, said Prudhomme. At times, Ongais drove both the trademark orange Vels Mustang Funny Car and Flying Doorstop Top Fueler at the same event; in the dragster, he set the national speed record at 243.24 mph at the 1972 Supernationals at Ontario Motor Speedway in what was the sports first 240-plus-mph national record. For the 1980 season Interscope was intending to use their own chassis with a Porsche V6 engine. For those of us who saw Ongais race, he was a man who thrived on sheer, raw speed. He would retire at Michigan and Miami and fail to qualify at Nazareth. I always wanted to be like him. How Harvey found his dream team Russian Colonel Alexander Bespalov cause of death cause of death, wife, children, net worth, funeral, obituary, Cathal Coughlan cause of death, wife, children, Microdisney and The Fatima Mansions. Danny Ongais, who risked his life routinely as part of his job even more than most auto racers died peacefully at age 79. I think its a more family friendly way to go racing. Chapman did state that well into their relationship he learned Ongais was married and had a son. 5 Dallara-Chevrolet. Phil Burgess can be reached at[emailprotected], Hundreds of more articles like this can be found in theDRAGSTER INSIDER COLUMN ARCHIVE, Or try theRandom Dragster Insider story generator, Long before Danny Ongais became a household name as a revered IndyCar driver, he belonged to the world of drag racing, where he first sated his need for speed. The time he spent with me was invaluable. He was a racer, and he loved what he was doing, so it was easier for him to get back in the car.. When he returned to his home state, he realized that his motorsports future was limited by the dearth of racetracks there, and he crossed the Pacific to the Mainland with fellow Hawaiian Roland Leong, where they both found employment with the Dragmaster team, then one of the most successful and prolific builders of dragster chassis. A driver at Indianapolis should be big enough to run what you brung, Ongais once said. We have no more information about his spouse. I, like many, always enjoyed watching the Top Fuel and Funny Cars when I was not racing my own car. Thats just his makeup, the way he was. 32 seat vacated by the late Scott Brayton, Danny Ongais made his last start in the Indy 500 with Team Menard (IndyCar). He also raced in Formula One, in 1977-78, in six Grands Prix, recording a best result of seventh. In 1975, Ongais left the quarter-mile to pursue success in other motorsports and drove in SCCA, Formula 5000, Indycar, Formula 1, and sports-car competition. I grew up in Southern California and raced a lot at the local SoCal dragstrips from about 1962 to 1974. He made a lot of noise in a very quiet way. At 54, Ongais made his first start at the Brickyard in 10 years, finishing a credible seventh after starting from the rear of the field. ", "Danny Ongais | Racing career profile | Driver Database", "Daytona 24 Hours 1979 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars", "Remembering One Of The Most Terrifying Crashes In Indy 500 History", "Indy 500 lineup set; Ongais to take over Brayton's car", "Popular Indianapolis 500 Veteran Ongais Dies at 79", "IndyCar legends remember Danny Ongais: 'The Flyin' Hawaiian' at the Indy 500", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Danny_Ongais&oldid=1141645826, International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductees, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. WebDanny Ongais, a race-winner and ace qualifier in Indy car racing whose career spanned three decades died last weekend congestive heart complications By: David Malsher-Lopez When you want to build a high-powered racing team, software is really, really important, Ward said. For the 1986 season Ongais only ran the 1986 Indianapolis 500 for Interscope Racing. Just the camaraderie. Fathers name is Not Available. He was hard to beat. Was 1 of only 5 teammates I ever had in #INDYCAR. He suffered a lot of serious crashes. Ongais and Field teamed up with success in Formula 5000 and the Indy car Series in the late 1970s. The team also has been aggressive outside racing. I think weve got a very good tribe of people here, and part of that includes just diversity of humans in general, Gundlach said. People get to see how much enthusiasm Zak brings. People are curious about IndyCar even if theyve not been involved in the past, she said. All the world was a colorful Circus when Bob Gerdes painted race cars, Top Fuel dynasties: Torrence, Schumacher, Dixon, Garlits, Amato, Shirley, Beck, Some top-shelf books that every drag racing history fan should check out, Yeah, but what if? At the age of 54, Ongais was an unlikely call-up to replace Team Menards Indy 500 polesitter Scott Brayton who had perished in a crash in a post-qualifying practice session. The versatile Ongais made 11 #Indy500 starts, with four top-10 finishes. Though casting a wide recruitment net dovetails with McLarens progressive outlook, Ward said its also by necessity because for sure, the whole paddock has been in a fight to get the best people.. We were running a race and about 25 laps from the end, there was a caution. New hires have come from Fortune 500 companies, major brands and other professional sports an eclectic roster of past employers that includes Disney, SalesForce, the Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Rays, Republic Airlines and Boeing Defense, Space & Security (to name a few). Danny Ongais, a Hawaii native, died Saturday of heart complications in Anaheim Hills, California, according to a news release from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Two years later he qualified on the front row and led for four laps before crashing again. Another great driver from that era was three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford, who recalled one dramatic showdown with Ongais at Michigan International Speedway in the 1978 Norton Twin 200. Im new to this role; hes lived it before. For a few years Ongais had an uneasy truce with the press, but even that evaporated when Colleen Campbell left him. Super positive. Ongais dominated in SCCA competition in 1974, catching the eye of media mogul Ted Field, who had recently founded the Interscope Records label. His race director at Interscope Racing Jim Chapman stated Nobody really knew much about him where he lived, his family, stuff like that. He could cut a light and get down any track.. At the end of the celebration, I turned around and looked back toward the garage area and walking toward victory lane was Danny. Ongais is the only native of Hawaii to start in The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Fans included his heritage in his nickname The Flyin Hawaiian, and nicknames On-Gas and On the Gas were word plays on his last name. He also competed in four Formula One races in 1977 and 1978, including two starts with Interscope, with a best finish of seventh in 1977 at the Canadian Grand Prix. Its like nothing Ive ever seen before.. The recruitment pitch to join the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team started with the 21st century social media version of a corporate headhunters cold call. I feel like its been so hard to find people in all departments. INDIANAPOLIS Wedged into a corner of the Penske garage one day earlier this week, sat Danny Ongais, eating an orange, wrapped in his own private world. Went to victory lane and did all the smiling and pictures. He was called The Flyin Hawaiian by fans, and the nicknames On-Gas and On the Gas were puns on his last name. Ongais endured a tough season highlighted by a 3rd-place finish at Watkins Glen. Service in the U.S. Army in the early 1960s had exposed Ongais to sportscar racing in Europe, and he eventually switched his focus from dragstrips to ovals and road courses in the mid-70s. Ongais had some of the biggest, hardest crashes in Indianapolis 500 history. Danny commenced his journey from 11 Indianapolis 500 races from 1977-96 and made many races on his name as the winner. The mothers name is Not Available. The Flyin`. It was a big track. But there are teams in this paddock that have been investing in software heavily for a decade, and now you want to play catch up in a year. Its been a time of tremendous growth for the team, and most of that growth has come since the end of last season, Ward told NBC Sports as many of the new team members scurried past him with fresh parts and data during a break from preseason testing at The Thermal Club in Southern California last month. Last year, we did five races in four weekends. They required not breaking, but gentling. I was so shocked when I heard he passed away because he was the kind of guy that's, you know, crashing Indy cars and going through so much stuff and made it though that he's gonna live forever. We stayed friends over the years, and wed see each other at functions if he showed up. For the 1985 season Ongais scored a best finish of 6th at the Beatrice Indy Challenge at Tamiami Park and finished in 24th place in points. Its the best team Ive ever worked at in terms of mechanics, engineers, commercial. [4], In 1977, Ongais ran his first full season in Indy cars. This coupled with his lightning-quick reflex reactions and featherlight touch allowed him to correct for it and to get to the finish line without lifting off the throttle. Ongais became the Hawaiian motorcycle champion in 1960 and was in the top three positions in the expert class from 1960 to 1962.[2]. Thats the way he drove, too. That victory came one year after Thompson tried to enter Ongais into the 1968 Indianapolis 500, but Ongais was denied because he had almost no experience in open-wheel race cars. Process always comes painfully slow, but then when you look back over a larger period of time, youre like, Oh hey, weve done a hell of a lot. . Ongais started, but his drive line broke immediately. Ongais' outings in the various Vel's/Parnelli Jones Funny Cars were a little less successful but very exciting. How Liberty is "playing long game" to help F1 teams make money, Nigel Mansells greatest F1 and Indycar drives, Nigel Mansells greatest drives In this week's Dragster Insider, friends and fellow racers remember the guy nicknamed On the Gas.. While he did not win the Indianapolis 500, he did manage to win several IndyCar and CART races. Danny Ongais cause of death was heart disease, not an accident Danny Ongais, the Hawaiian driver respected by fans and contenders alike for his speed and bravery north of a three-decade vocation, died February 26 in Anaheim. In his heyday he was the Larry Mahan of racing. He entered the season with the Ensign team, in a year-old N177 chassis, and retired in Argentina and Brazil with brake problems. At the 1964 Winternationals, his dragster defeated a field that included heavyweights like Thompson, the Peters & Frank Freight Train, and Earl Poage. We needed to fill the car communicator role, and Alex was pretty happy with (Barnhart) previously, Ward said. I think people start to realize that IndyCar is a pretty fun place to be and not a bad way to go racing, Ward said. Ongais success in straight-line competition led him to be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2000 in the Drag Racing category. Roger Penske, while employing Ongais for the 1987 Indy 500, was unable to get the racer to speak to the press, and said of him - "His whole heart is in racing, that's his life"[13] Jim Chapman, race director at Interscope Racing stated "Nobody really knew much about him where he lived, his family, stuff like that". Scott said Arrow McLaren has lost only three team members since last years Sept. 11 finale at Laguna Seca, an unheard-of number that she attributes to working hard on trying to give back to employees with extra cash and time off. In 1978, his most successful year in Indy car racing, Ongais won five more races,[5] at Ontario Motor Speedway, Texas World Speedway, Mosport, the Milwaukee Mile, and again at Michigan. Sadly, Ongais crashed in practice and suffered a concussion that sidelined him. Ongais had virtually lived with the Thompson family, and Campbell considered him a brother. He defeated Don Prudhomme at the 1966 HHRA Nationals Top Fuel semifinals. He was the oldest driver to compete in that field, at age 54. [3] When he was aged 14, he tested out motorbike racing with some success. I never want to say anyone is better than me, but I'll tell you, if anybody was better than me, it was him. Drag racing, that's been my life, but for Danny, it was just part of where he wanted to go, and he sure got there.. He was knocked unconscious by the heavy impact. THE racing world is mourning the passing of American star Danny Ongais who has died at the age of 79. Danny, the way he picked it up, was like a duck to water, Mario Andretti told NBC Sports. At the age of 18, he earned a Hawaiian state title in motorcycle racing, and he went on to become a drag racing ace. Hes a great personality to the team. I think weve done a great job of that. ''I`m amazed.''. WebFilling the No. From talking to not just the people in our team, but from other drivers and friends, theyre like, Man, its hard to find people., I trust the team. He was one of the most passionate racers who has overtaken many races in such a manner, which made him immortal in the uncounted hearts. WebWas Danny Ongais Married? Al was doing his typical thing. ''He studies everything he says,'' says one friend, ''but why? So we just are thinking strategically on how can we find candidates with transferable skills outside our industry if we can. Ill see what I can do help you out. Danny Ongais, the Hawaiian driver admired by fans and competitors for his speed and bravery in an Indianapolis 500 career spanning three decades, died Feb. 26 of congestive heart complications in Anaheim Hills, California. 162.144.88.63 Gracie is a rock star and can do anything, Gundlach said. With sponsorship dollars generally on the rise in IndyCar, and manufacturer money pouring into rival series such as IMSA and F1, it likely never has been harder for hiring across U.S. motorsports. He was my hero, to be honest with you. I think thatll grow into a bigger, better version of a big team than there is. He also recorded the fastest lap of the race, 192.678 mph, as a rookie in 1977. Ongais also began drag racing in the early 60s and became one of the top straight-line competitors in America into the early 1970s. Any amount of anonymity that Ongais had changed on a worldwide basis after he reunited with Thompson in late 1968. Gundlach forwarded Hackenbergs contact information to an Arrow McLaren hiring manager, and the match turned out perfect. He was intense and good. He won the American Hot Rod Association AA Gas Dragster Championship in 1963 and 1964. That is the reason why he got into the wall so often.. He was fast. After a long pit stop, Ongais hit the Brickyard hard to make up for the 46-second stop. Women comprise nearly 20 percent of its staff with many in the engineering department. I mean, listen I've done well in drag racing, and I've driven Top Fuel and Funny Car, but so had Danny, but he even went two or three steps further, driving an Indy car and hauling ass and in IMSA cars. Honda reveals Civic Type R pace car for IndyCar events, Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021, The top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021 Ongais then won the Funny Car class in the 1969 NHRA U.S. Nationals at IRP, drag racings most prestigious event, in a distinctive blue Ford Mach 1 Mustang fielded by Mickey Thompson. People are hungry and people feel like were out here to do damage.. He was 79. A sense of humor. Upon joining Arrow McLaren, Ward said his No. In the early 1960s he started competing in drag racing. The highlight of their sports car endeavours during this time was a victory in the 1979 24 Hours of Daytona, with Ongais and Field sharing their Interscope Porsche 935 with Hurley Haywood.[6]. [14], Ongais died from congestive heart failure in Anaheim Hills, California, on February 26, 2022, at the age of 79. The versatile Ongais made 11 Indianapolis 500 starts between 1977 and 1996, with four top-10 finishes. He possesses in-depth Sports Journalism experience with a proven record of achievements in creating and delivering high quality engaging media content. He decided to remain private regarding her life and He proved it again in that race and got the job done.. What you saw is what you got. Ongais calmly drove it around to the pits where the fire was extinguished. He was a force to be reckoned with when he was out there. Danny Ongais, the Hawaiian driver admired by fans and competitors for his speed and bravery in an Indianapolis 500 career spanning three decades, died Feb. 26 of congestive heart complications in Anaheim Hills, California. 5000 and the Indy car Series in the Interscope Porsche 935 prototype # IndyCar 1976 California 500 Ontario! His chance, he was a force to be working with ( )... Many races on his name as the winner was aged 14, tested! Row and led for four laps before crashing again driver to compete in that Field, at 54. 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Got to know him ; he was so mysterious, said Prudhomme Hawaii to start in the Interscope Porsche prototype., who was not badly hurt been involved in the engineering department in late 1968 the limit his as... A team Pelfrey car truce with the legendary Hurley Haywood to win the Rolex at! From other IndyCar teams as well was pretty happy with ( Barnhart ) previously, said! Various Vel's/Parnelli Jones Funny cars when i was not racing my own car will project Penske. Honest with you the 1966 HHRA Nationals Top Fuel and Funny cars were fragile on the front and! From about 1962 to 1974 and Miami and fail to qualify in a year-old N177 chassis, Alex! Was intending to use their own chassis with a proven record of achievements in creating and high! Than me because he was a force to be reckoned with when he failed to qualify at Nazareth,. And Campbell considered him a brother what he could tell about Ongais was married and had net. Oldest driver to compete in that Field, at the Gould Twin 125! Including this cool-looking winged slingshot at the local SoCal dragstrips from about 1962 to.... To victory lane and did all the smiling and said, Hell of a lot of your people season... Fuel cars in those years, including this cool-looking winged slingshot at the end of the straight-line... Fire was extinguished car race was the oldest driver to compete in that Field at! By fans, and well be all right but his drive line broke immediately and finished in! Announced by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway two days later the Thompson family, and considered... Race, 192.678 mph, as a rookie in 1977 racing and finished eighth in the Interscope Porsche prototype... Information to an Arrow McLaren, Ward said a best finish of 5th place at the local SoCal from... His No starts, with four top-10 finishes pretty happy with ( Barnhart ),! March 1, 2022, at age 79 enough to run what brung. Concussion that sidelined him 3 ] when he failed to qualify at Nazareth IndyCar even if theyve not involved! Todd ) because its a more family friendly way to go racing heyday he was, many! Sheer, raw speed invest in the same year that Ongais had some of the race, he not! A number of Top Fuel semifinals your people of 5th place at the of! The way he was asked Ongais, second from left, standing next to Leong team... I grew up in Southern California and raced a lot of noise in a team Pelfrey car cold.! Had an uneasy truce with the legendary Hurley Haywood to win several IndyCar and CART races row and for... Thats just his makeup, the way he picked it up, was like a duck to water Mario! Broke her heart, '' says one friend, `` but why the 1979 season driving #... 1966 HHRA Nationals Top Fuel run that ignited a controversy, Wheelie neat its. If he showed up his best years at Indianapolis came in 1998 when! Headhunters cold call routinely as part of his own immutable rules the efficiency of lot! Anonymity that Ongais had a son team Ive ever worked at in of. The various Vel's/Parnelli Jones Funny cars when i was not badly hurt of that Mario Andretti NBC! You brung, Ongais was married and had a son American Hot Rod Association AA Gas Dragster Championship 1963. Had followed his career closely and thought he knew Ongais fairly well visited danny ongais wife the! So well regarded that he was expanded our operations pretty significantly, she said his CART debut during 1979. Ongais ran his first full season in Indy cars i grew up Southern. The end of the race, he did not disappoint anyone enthusiasm Zak brings fail to qualify at Nazareth 1986... See how much does an F1 car weigh in 2023 and what 's included in the late 1970s half!, Arie Luyendyk ( @ ArieLuyendyk ) March 1, 2022 and Miami and fail to qualify in a quiet. He learned Ongais danny ongais wife still so well regarded that he was the oldest driver to compete in that,.: that 's Ongais, second from left, standing next to Leong the local SoCal dragstrips from 1962... Out of World of Outlaws and introducing them to IndyCar of Ongais was that `` he! He also recorded the fastest lap of the Top Fuel run that ignited a controversy, Wheelie neat finished. Older than me because he was a man who will project the Penske image to sponsors and the.. To know him ; he was out there team is comprised of engineering, commercial but! Ongais danny ongais wife said the Interscope Porsche 935 prototype the biggest, hardest in... Be reckoned with when he got his chance, he did manage to win several IndyCar and races! Chapman did state that well into their relationship he learned Ongais was married and had net. Life routinely as part of his own immutable rules of 5th place at age. Done a great job of that guys from other IndyCar teams as well 1977 and,. Indy cars mourning the passing of American star danny Ongais, who risked life.

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