ONGAIS TO RUN GRAND AMERICAN FINALE

[ 10/30/2002 ]

Daytona Beach, Fla. — Veteran race car driver Danny Ongais will race in the Grand American Finale at Daytona International Speedway, Nov. 8-10. Ongais will partner with drivers Dale Pelfrey and Patrice Roussel in the Sezio Florida Race Team No. 87 Ford-powered Norma in the three-hour race that will conclude the 2002 Rolex Sports Car Series season.

Born in Hawaii, Ongais earned the nickname the "Flyin' Hawaiian" for his amazing speed behind the wheel of nearly any kind of race car. He first found fame as a drag racer before moving into sports car and Indy car racing. He earned six IMSA victories during his career, including the overall victory at the 1979 Rolex 24 At Daytona with Hurley Haywood and Ted Field.

In the world of open-wheel racing, Ongais won at Michigan International Speedway in 1977 and competed in 11 Indy 500s (1977-'86, '96), earning four Top-10 finishes and a Top-5 finish ('79).