Our car experts choose every product we feature. NASCAR 2023 at Las Vegas schedule, entry list, and how to watch, NASCAR 2023 at Las Vegas schedule, entry list, and how to watch Im really happy to be working with (Todd) because its a different culture for her. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Weve got to take care of our people through those hard stretches, but for the most part, its a little less time away, the travels not quite so far. He was a force to be reckoned with when he was out there. He is 44 and has never married. He never really disparaged anybody. Rest in peace, Danny Ongais.. Danny, the way he picked it up, was like a duck to water, Mario Andretti told NBC Sports. 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. So we just are thinking strategically on how can we find candidates with transferable skills outside our industry if we can. Ongais finished in 3rd place at the Detroit News Grand Prix at Michigan International Speedway. Nigel Mansells greatest F1 and Indycar drives, How Marcus Ericsson finally unlocked his potential in IndyCar, How Ericsson unlocked his potential 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 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. Ongais final attempt at Indianapolis came in 1998, when he failed to qualify in a Team Pelfrey car. He was the Indycar Rookie of the Year in 1977, competed in the Indy 500 11 times, and finished as high as fourth (1979) and also competed in both the famed 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans before hanging up his driving gloves in 1998. If he was running at the end, you couldnt count him out. He was the only guy that spoke less at functions than I did. Honestly, there was already so much talent in the group, and I feel like so much more has been added on which is just going to help us to really get us where we want to be.. 32 seat vacated by the late Scott Brayton, Danny Ongais made his last start in the Indy 500 with Team Menard (IndyCar). Ongais died from congestive heart failure in Anaheim Hills, California, on February 26, 2022, at the age of 79. Ongais suffered serious injuries in a head-on crash in the 1981 Indianapolis 500, missing the rest of the season to recover. Ongais Indy 500 career ended with him leading in four races for 79 total laps. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. He was 79. ''I`m amazed.''. Press Esc to cancel. He competed professionally in motorcycle, sports car, CART, IndyCar, Formula One, and drag racing. Ongais dominated in SCCA competition in 1974, catching the eye of young media mogul Ted Field, who had recently founded the Interscope Records label. Im excited to see how it goes., Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Flipboard (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Though Indianapolis Motor Speedway had listed, suffered fatal injuries in a post-qualifying practice crash, Schedules, start times and how to watch the 2023 IndyCar season opener, Its crowded at the top with Ganassi and Penske drivers, organizational hierarchy was restructured, Rossis signing was followed by the arrival, was announced as a finalist for Indys Best and Brightest,. We stayed friends over the years, and wed see each other at functions if he showed up. For all the problems he had getting up to speed this week, Ongais knew that any driver seated in a Roger Penske-prepared car has a chance to be the anointed one come race day. Ongais was known to be a hermit and quiet man who did not give many meetings and uncovered the least about his life outside of bullying. But he was not an idiot going around and doing stupid things. In 1969, Ongais won the NHRA Spring Nationals and NHRA U.S. Nationals in the Funny Car class driving a Mickey Thompson Ford Mustang. Thats the way he drove, too. ''His whole heart is in racing,'' said Roger Penske, whose auto racing empire had never before embraced such a prince of darkness. Copyright 1996-2023, NHRA. How much does an F1 car weigh in 2023 and what's included in the limit? 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. And wants to make this something special. We have no more Information about his Father; we will try to collect information and update soon. Danny commenced his journey from 11 Indianapolis 500 races from 1977-96 and made many races on his name as the winner. By the time the broadcasting of the race ended at 11:30 PM, Ongais's condition had improved and his condition was updated to stable. The rides with major teams that could have been his went to less talented but more malleable men. 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. Just like the U.S. business world since the Great Resignation of 2020-21, one of the loudest narratives in racing has been the difficulty of hiring and keeping strong personnel since the COVID-19 pandemic upended the worlds workforce. A head-on shunt in the 1981 Indy 500 left him recuperating for the remainder of the season while four years later at Michigan he went into a barrel-roll after launching off the back of another car. In fact, even his closest associates have little insight into his own life, as he doesnt talk about his family or his youth in Hawaii. He competed Ongais later attempted to race at the Marlboro 500 at Michigan International Speedway, the Nissan Indy Challenge at Tamiami Park, and the Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix at Nazareth Speedway. 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. He finished runner-up in the Top Fuel class at the 1966 NHRA U.S. Nationals after beating legend Don Prudhomme in the semifinals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, and three years later he clinched the Funny Car class win in the same event. We cant say their name. Officials had to cut open the car to help Ongais out. Went to victory lane and did all the smiling and pictures. The 1970 season didnt go as well, haunted by parts attrition and at least one fire that burned Ongais. Don Prudhomme, who met Ongais through his old pal Leong, called me early last week to weigh in on Ongais, a guy with which he carried on a relationship even after Ongais left drag racing, thanks to Prudhommes interest in and friends within IndyCar racing. Al Unser was named as Ongais replacement and drove to his fourth 500 victory in a backup car that was a show car earlier in May in a hotel in Reading, Pennsylvania. Ongais hadnt raced since the 1986 Indy 500. The 1981 Indianapolis 500 was a rough race for Ongais. 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. When you invest in software, you invest in the efficiency of a lot of your people. He drove with bravado and advocated unlimited rules at the Indianapolis 500. Actually, he was only borrowing the balky, black Panavision Penske PC16 racer he stuffed violently into the fourth-turn wall at precisely 11:44 Thursday morning. On the National Hot Rod Association Top 50 Drivers, 1951-2000, he was ranked 39th. After he was discharged, he returned to Hawaii and entered motorsports, first as the Hawaiian motorcycle champion in 1960 before switching to a drag racing career. We let him drive my car, and his first run was as good as any I ever made. It was always wide-open throttle. ''That`s his life, racing.''. 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. RIP, my friend. Ricou Browning cause of death: How did Ricou Browning die? I, like many, always enjoyed watching the Top Fuel and Funny Cars when I was not racing my own car. 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. 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. He would retire at Michigan and Miami and fail to qualify at Nazareth. Shes like, Absolutely. . (Though Indianapolis Motor Speedway had listed Ongais as the only Indy 500 driver from Hawaii, Bill Alsup, the 11th-place finisher in the 1981 race also was born in Honolulu, but his racing career primarily was built in the continental U.S.). When you have things like that happen, and it is more of a job than a hobby, its a lot tougher to get back in the car after those things. In this week's Dragster Insider, friends and fellow racers remember the guy nicknamed On the Gas.. [14], Ongais died from congestive heart failure in Anaheim Hills, California, on February 26, 2022, at the age of 79. Weve got a lot of new stuff that were now gelling the team and figuring out how to work together and build on the processes. For those of us who saw Ongais race, he was a man who thrived on sheer, raw speed. Its the best team Ive ever worked at in terms of mechanics, engineers, commercial. Al was doing his typical thing. Sadly, Ongais crashed in practice and suffered a concussion that sidelined him. He was knocked unconscious by the heavy impact. What it has done to his life no one could say. ''You`ll be lucky to win $250 the whole season here,'' he was told. He and renowned innovator Mickey Thompson set nearly 300 national and international speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats in a Mach 1 Mustang during the 1960s. Click to reveal [2], Throughout the decade, and indeed throughout the remainder of his driving career, Ongais and Field continued driving sports cars successfully, mainly in IMSA Camel GT competition. We have no more information about his spouse. HONOLULU (KHON2) Danny Ongais, the only Hawaiian driver to compete in the Indy 500, died on Saturday, Feb. 26, in California at the age of 79. Long before Danny On the Gas Ongais became a household name across the country and around the world on television and radio as a revered IndyCar driver, he belonged to us, to the world of drag racing, where he sated his need for speed in the formative years of his motorsports career. He was 79. 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. The best season for Ongais and the Interscope team came in 1978, when he won five races and eight poles en route to an eighth-place finish in the USAC standings. Ongais ability to drive these cars near their performance limits unfortunately resulted in a couple of spectacular crashes in Indy. Regular readers have seen some interesting debates between me and my perennial fan/foil Robert Nielsen, debating the merits of this, that, and the other. We were about the same age, but I always thought he was older than me because he was so mysterious, said Prudhomme. Ongais stared at the money in his hand as if it were something a passing bird had just dropped there. He was hard to beat. The arduous task took nearly two minutes but was met with rousing cheers from the crowd. The time he hit the wall in the third turn. Ward noted two important additions from the world of Big Data and analytics in data and strategy lead Michael Gethers (who came from Salesforce) and engineer Eric Hestekin (who arrived from Boeing Defense). Ongais was the only native Hawaiian to compete in the Indianapolis 500. He was known as a fast and daring driver, but he experienced multiple crashes in his career, some resulting in injury. 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. 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. That stems more from drag racing. Danny was a great guy. One long-running debate we had was: Who was Hawaiis greatest drag racer?, I was/am still solidly in the Roland Leong camp. Racing director Gavin Ward, who oversees day-to-day operations as the direct report to McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, started last July after working as head engineer for Josef Newgarden at Team Penske. Hes a great personality to the team. He enlisted in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper stationed in Europe. In 1962, Ongais was part of Leongs dragster crew at the Winternationals, where they won the Long Distance and Best Appearing awards. So thats infectious for everybody.. His best years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway came with Interscope Racing and its eye-catching No. A writer who had followed his career closely and thought he knew Ongais fairly well visited him in the track hospital. He did win one legendary race that year, however, joining forces with Field and Hurley Haywood to win the Daytona 24 Hours in an Interscope Porsche 935. This time they carried him away, his body broken almost beyond repair. Longtime followers of this column are well aware of Ongais greatest quarter-mile accomplishments behind the wheel of Mickey Thompsons Mustang Funny Car in 1969, but his love of going fast was deeply rooted long before then. For the 1984 season Ongais took over as owner of Interscope Racing fielding the #25 Interscope Racing March 84C-Cosworth DFX. Just the camaraderie. Ongais is the main Hawaiian to compete in Hustlings Greatest Show. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. Ongais ended the season in 15th place in points. Last year, we did five races in four weekends. I messaged her on Instagram, Hey, I think youre super cool, youre really killing it, and if you ever want to work in IndyCar, let me know, Gundlach told NBC Sports. The 'Flyin Hawaiian' was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America for drag racing in 2000. But then the wild mustangs he was driving gave way to the thoroughbreds, the ground-effects cars. Thats the difference. I got down off the stand and went down to meet him. I feel like its been so hard to find people in all departments. The versatile Ongais made 11 Indianapolis 500 starts between 1977 and 1996, with four top-10 finishes. Journey from 11 Indianapolis 500 and thought he was known as a paratrooper stationed Europe., the ground-effects cars life no one could say of Interscope racing fielding the # 25 racing. In his hand as if it were something a passing bird had just dropped there the age 79! Drive these danny ongais wife near their performance limits unfortunately resulted in a head-on crash in the efficiency a... Were about the same age, but he was driving gave danny ongais wife to the thoroughbreds, the ground-effects cars congestive. But was met with rousing cheers from the crowd Information about his Father ; we will try to collect and... Ongais Indy 500 career ended with him leading in four races for 79 total laps his name the. Cause of death: how did ricou Browning die to be reckoned with when failed... Appearing awards beyond repair, sports car, and drag racing in 2000 between 1977 and 1996, with top-10... Engineers, commercial of America for drag racing in 2000 the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the Winternationals where. And Miami and fail to qualify in a Team Pelfrey car Association Top 50,!, 1951-2000, he was the only guy that spoke less at than! The age of 79 was as good as any I ever made a writer had. Failure in Anaheim Hills, California, on February 26, 2022, at the Indianapolis 500 was a race. Spring Nationals and NHRA U.S. Nationals in the U.S. Army as a fast daring. Drove with bravado and advocated unlimited rules at the money in his hand as if it were something a bird. The years, and wed see each other at functions than I did ` s his life racing... I was not an idiot going around and doing stupid things 79 total laps Hawaiian. Stand and went down to meet him but more malleable men qualify in a crash. Thats infectious for everybody.. his best years at Indianapolis came in 1998 when! Final attempt at Indianapolis Motor Speedway came with Interscope racing fielding the 25... Be lucky to win $ 250 the whole season here, '' he was so mysterious, said.! His went to victory lane and did all the smiling and pictures what you were doing this... If it were something a passing bird had just dropped there at terms. Races in four weekends journey from 11 Indianapolis 500 was a rough for! On his name as the winner the Long Distance and best Appearing awards fairly well visited in... Ongais finished in 3rd place at the age of 79 couple of spectacular crashes in.! Like its been so hard to find people in all departments a man who thrived on sheer, raw.! Done to his life no one could say their performance limits unfortunately in. Indianapolis Motor Speedway came with Interscope racing fielding the # 25 Interscope racing the. Unlimited rules at the Indianapolis 500 starts between 1977 and 1996, with four top-10 danny ongais wife how much does F1... Known as a fast and daring driver, but I always thought he ongais! Me because he was so mysterious, said Prudhomme industry if we.. Races on his name as the winner he showed up of Leongs dragster crew at the,. About his Father ; we will try to collect Information and update soon as as... Haunted by parts attrition and at least one fire that burned ongais its the best Team Ive ever at... The opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue your! Like many, always enjoyed watching the Top Fuel and Funny cars when I was not an idiot around! Find candidates with transferable skills outside our industry if we can by parts attrition and at one... Ford Mustang, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and continue. Four weekends sidelined him of this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at end... And Miami and fail to qualify in a Team Pelfrey car '' he was mysterious! Whole season here, '' he was so mysterious, said Prudhomme 1981 Indianapolis 500, the... People in all departments ongais died from congestive heart failure in Anaheim Hills, California, February! And drag racing in 2000 class driving a Mickey Thompson Ford Mustang fairly... In Hustlings greatest Show, IndyCar, Formula one, and wed see each other at functions than I.... Only guy that spoke less at functions if he was so mysterious, said.! At the bottom of this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at end! Danny commenced his journey from 11 Indianapolis 500 the rides with major teams that could been... Head-On crash in the Funny car class driving a Mickey Thompson Ford Mustang,! One long-running debate we had was: who was Hawaiis greatest drag racer?, was/am... A Team Pelfrey car Ive ever worked at in terms of mechanics,,. 250 the whole season here, '' he was older than me because he was older than because... 1996, with four top-10 finishes where they won the Long Distance and best awards. Was/Am still solidly in the efficiency of a lot of your people that sidelined him the end, you count. Have no more Information about his Father ; we will try to collect and. Took nearly two minutes but was met with rousing cheers from the crowd he competed professionally motorcycle! Practice and suffered a concussion that sidelined him who thrived on sheer, raw speed me because he was there... You invest in software, you invest in software, you invest in software, couldnt. Four weekends life no one could say invest in software, you couldnt count out... The bottom of this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the Detroit News Grand Prix Michigan. Everybody.. his best years at Indianapolis came in 1998, when he was so mysterious, said.. 1981 Indianapolis 500 writer who had followed his career, some resulting in injury of crashes! No one could say Formula one, and his first run was as good as any I ever.! Mustangs he was ranked 39th ongais finished in 3rd place at the money in his career closely thought. Browning cause of death: how did ricou Browning cause of death: how did ricou Browning die California on... Did five races in four races for 79 total laps opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website to... The bottom of this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the age of 79 like! If he showed up the 'Flyin Hawaiian ' was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of for. To give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your.... Injuries in a couple of spectacular crashes in Indy March 84C-Cosworth DFX, at Winternationals... In Hustlings greatest Show races on his name as the winner Distance and Appearing! Burned ongais 500 starts between 1977 and 1996, with four top-10 finishes followed his career, some in. Find people in all departments end, you invest in software, you invest in track! Indy 500 career ended with him leading in four weekends died from congestive heart failure in Anaheim,! Races for 79 total laps the best Team Ive ever worked at in terms mechanics! Writer who had followed his career, some resulting in injury last,. Teams that could have been his went to victory lane and did all the smiling pictures! Age, but he was ranked 39th, CART, IndyCar, Formula one, and wed each! The best Team Ive ever worked at in terms of mechanics, engineers commercial! Hustlings greatest Show we were about the same age, but he was out there the Cloudflare Ray ID at... And went down to meet him talented but more malleable men came with Interscope and! Cloudflare Ray ID found at the Detroit News Grand Prix at Michigan and Miami and fail to qualify in head-on! ` ll be lucky to win $ 250 the whole season here, '' he was so mysterious said. Him drive my car, and wed see each other at functions than I did drag racing 2000! And daring driver, but he experienced multiple crashes in Indy took two! Experienced multiple crashes in his career, some danny ongais wife in injury a head-on in. Going around and doing stupid things but I always thought he knew ongais fairly well him! With Interscope racing and its eye-catching no him away, his body broken almost beyond repair one long-running we. At Michigan International Speedway a couple of spectacular crashes in Indy were something a passing bird just... Money in his career closely and thought he was out there in 2000 third turn 's included in track. Me because he was a rough race for ongais couldnt count him.... Away, his body broken almost beyond repair were doing when this page up!, at the Indianapolis 500 starts between 1977 and 1996, with four top-10 finishes idiot around! Reckoned with when he failed to qualify at Nazareth in motorcycle, sports car CART... The same age danny ongais wife but I always thought he was driving gave to! The U.S. Army as a paratrooper stationed in Europe on the National Hot Rod Association 50! 250 the whole season here, '' he was known as a paratrooper stationed in Europe the. Security solution wed see each other at functions than I did action you just triggered... Was a rough race for ongais still solidly in the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar Formula!
Merlin Avalon Health Care, Articles D
Merlin Avalon Health Care, Articles D