| Danny Ongais |
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Born in Kahului , Maui Island , Hawaii , he is the only native Hawaiian to compete at the Indianapolis 500 . A Motorcycle , Sports Car , Formula One , and Drag Racing competitor, in 1963 and 1964 Ongais won the American Hot Rod Association AA Gas Dragster Championship and in 1965 he added the National Hot Rod Association AA Dragster championship title. A flamboyant figure on the racing circuit, Danny's nickname was "On-Gas" for his balls to the wall driving style. He was a Formula One driver who participated in six grands prix, debuting on October 2 , 1977 . He scored zero championship points. In 1996 at the age of 54, Ongais agreed to be the substitute driver for Scott Brayton in the Indy 500 who had died in a practice crash shortly before the race. Starting last, Danny finished 7th in what was his final 500. Unfortunately, he never won an Indianapolis 500 race, but history will remember him fondly for his stylish driving outfits and workmanlike driving, and he remains the pride of Hawaiian motorsports to this day. Not only is he a motorsports legend, but much like Joey Meyer , a larger than life Hawaiian sports hero. AWARD He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall Of Fame Of America in 2000 in the drag racing category. Complete Formula One results |
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