Danny Ongais
In 1957, at the tender age of 14, Danny was already racing dirt motorcycles in his native Hawaii. By 17, the expert-rated bike racer was winning with sports cars, as well. In 1962, Danny came to the mainland with another unknown Islander, Roland Leong, who flew his blown gas dragst over for the Winternationals. After the Pomona event, veteran racers predicted that the Best Appearing Car and Long-Distance awards collected by these newcomers would be the last drag racing trophy they’d ever win. Ongais prove them wrong the following season by winning an NHRA Top Gas title. In 1964, driving for Mickey Thompson, he prevailed at NHRA, AHRA, and UDRA events, plus the memorable Hot Rod Magazine Championships-in which he hand-pushed his dragster to a record ET of one minute thirty-five seconds. Next came a series of fast nitro burners. Danny is still remembered for his near-perfect US Nationals winning 1969 season at the wheel of Mickey Thompson’s blue Mustang. Moving to the Vel’s Parnelli Jones camp, he drove the team’s top fueler and funny car often at the same event in the early 70s. In 1975 “Ongais left drag racing to start his successful IndyCar career.