Danny Ongais

Danny Ongais (21 May 1942 - 26 February 2022) was an American racing driver who achieved success across multiple motorsport disciplines including drag racing, IndyCar, sports car racing, and Formula One. Born and raised in Hawaii, Ongais was the only Hawaiian-born driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500, earning the nicknames "On-the-Gas" and "The Flyin' Hawaiian" for his fearless, aggressive driving style. Ongais became the Hawaiian motorcycle champion in 1960 and ranked in the top three of the expert class from 1960 to 1962. He then transitioned to drag racing in the 1960s, where he won multiple NHRA championships and was later named one of the National Hot Rod Association's Top 50 Drivers for 1951-2000, a remarkable honor.

Remarkably, Ongais is the only driver to have won both the NHRA U.S. Nationals and the 24 Hours of Daytona, showcasing his extraordinary versatility. Moving to sports cars and Indy cars in the 1970s, Ongais achieved major victories in both disciplines. He won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1979, one of endurance racing's most prestigious events. His most successful year in IndyCar came in 1978, when he won five races (Ontario, Texas World, Mosport, Milwaukee, and Michigan) and captured eight pole positions.

At the 1978 Indianapolis 500, Ongais started in the middle of the front row and dominated the early stages, leading 71 laps before suffering a blown engine while running second on lap 145. He made 11 Indianapolis 500 starts between 1977 and 1996, achieving four top-ten finishes with a best result of fourth in 1979. In 1996, at age 54 and after nine years away from racing, Ongais served as substitute driver for Scott Brayton, who had died in a practice crash. Starting last in the 33-car field, Ongais drove a remarkable race to finish seventh, demonstrating his undiminished skill and bravery.

Ongais also competed in Formula One, racing in six Grands Prix during 1977-1978 with Ensign, Penske, and Interscope teams. His best Formula One result was seventh at the 1977 Canadian Grand Prix. While his Formula One career was brief, it demonstrated his willingness to compete in any form of motorsport. Ongais was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2000 and the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, recognizing his achievements across multiple disciplines.

Known for his quiet, unassuming personality off-track contrasting with his aggressive style on-track, Ongais was respected throughout the racing community. He passed away on 26 February 2022 at age 79, remembered as one of America's most versatile and fearless racing drivers.