American racing great Danny Ongais dead at 79

Danny Ongais, the one native Hawaiian who has competed within the Indiy 500, died of congestive coronary heart issues at age 79.
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Versatile American racing driver Danny Ongais died on February 26 of congestive coronary heart issues at age 79, it was introduced Monday.

Ongais was born in Kahului and stays the one native Hawaiian who has ever competed within the Indy 500. He made 11 begins from 1977 and 1996, incomes 4 prime 10 finishes and a fourth-place lead to 1979.

Ongais turned generally known as “The Flyin’ Hawaiian” as he competed throughout a lot of racing disciplines, together with Method One, sports activities vehicles and the NHRA.

Throughout the 1981 Indy 500, Ongais survived one of the vital dramatic crashes within the race’s historical past when his automobile disintegrated after hitting the wall, leaving his legs and arms uncovered because it burst into flames and skidded to a cease. He suffered a number of season-ending accidents, however returned to drive within the race the next yr.

Ongais’ closing Indy 500 got here in 1996 when he completed seventh at age 54. He tried, however did not qualify once more in 1996.

Ongais was inducted into the American Motorsports Corridor of Fame in 2000 for his success in drag racing, the place he received a number of class championships and the 1969 U.S. Nationals in Humorous Automobile.

Danny Ongais was generally known as “The Flyin’ Hawaiian”, as he can be inducted into the American Motorsports Corridor of Fame in 2000 for his success in drag racing.

AP

Danny Ongais survived a crash when his automobile hit the wall of flip three within the sixty fourth lap of the Indianapolis 500-mile race on Sunday, Might 24, 1981.

AP