American racing great Danny Ongais dead at 79 | FerrariChat

American racing great Danny Ongais dead at 79

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by NYC Fred, Mar 2, 2022.

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  1. NYC Fred

    NYC Fred F1 Veteran
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    #1 NYC Fred, Mar 2, 2022
    Versatile American racing driver Danny Ongais died on February 26 of congestive heart complications at age 79, it was announced Monday.

    Ongais was born in Kahului and remains the only native Hawaiian who has ever competed in the Indy 500. He made 11 starts from 1977 and 1996, earning four top 10 finishes and a fourth-place result in 1979.

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  2. 375+

    375+ F1 World Champ
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    #2 375+, Mar 2, 2022
    He was a spectacular driver, always on the limit or a bit beyond. RIP Danny On-The-Gas.
     
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  3. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #3 Rifledriver, Mar 2, 2022
    AKA the Flyin Hawaiian.

    When race car drivers were not one trick ponies.

    RIP On The Gas.
     
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  4. of2worlds

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    #4 of2worlds, Mar 2, 2022
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  5. 375+

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    #5 375+, Mar 2, 2022
    He was a relentless competitor and apparently fearless. Danny had stones like nobody else.
     
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  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #6 Rifledriver, Mar 2, 2022
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  7. 375+

    375+ F1 World Champ
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    #7 375+, Mar 2, 2022
    Is that a blown Boss 429? Truly bad*ss!
    [​IMG]
     
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  8. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #8 Rifledriver, Mar 2, 2022
    Yes it is. They were designed for NASCAR but Bill France would not allow it so Ford sponsored Ongais to take it drag racing. If smog laws didn't kill it not being approved for NASCAR would have.
     
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  9. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 GuyIncognito, Mar 2, 2022
    I still think him finishing 7th at the 500 in 1996, filling in for Scott Brayton is one of the most impressive drives in Indy history.

    At the time he was 54 years old, hadn't started Indy in a decade, had almost no practice time, started 33rd. wild.

    he also won the 24 hours of Daytona with Hurley Haywood and Ted Field in the infamous black Porsche 935.

    RIP Danny.
     
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  10. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #10 Rifledriver, Mar 2, 2022
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2022

    I think he ran 427 OHC's a few years earlier for the same reason. Mickey T never passed up a financial opportunity. They say Thomas Edison invented the business of inventing. If thats true. Mickey T invented the business of racing. As soon as Bill France said no I'm sure Mickey was at Fords door with a hand out for a check and a truck to carry a few motors back to the shop. OPM.
     
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  11. lorenzobandini

    lorenzobandini F1 Rookie

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    #11 lorenzobandini, Mar 3, 2022
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  12. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    #12 Gatorrari, Mar 13, 2022
    "On-The-Gas" was perhaps the most appropriate nickname ever given to a racing driver. His comeback from that fiery 1981 Indy crash took a lot of guts. RIP, Danny.
     
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  13. Whisky

    Whisky Two Time F1 World Champ
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    The original Fernando
    #13 Whisky, Apr 8, 2022
    Coffee table pic please?
     

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