As another legend of Indianapolis flames Out…
By now, Y’all have heard of Danny Ongais Death
at Age 79. As Ongais passed away in Anaheim Hills, CA on February 26th.
I had the privilege of interacting with whom I
called Mr. Interscope briefly nearly 14 years ago when making my trek to Mecca’,
aka Mother Speedway to ride aboard the Indy Racing Experience’s 2X Seater.
Following my ride that Hot July summer day,
totally on Cloud Nine after this fantastic experience, which Y’all can read
another typically long winded No Fenders tome titled Brickyard Flyer below.
http://www.nofenders.net/2007/09/brickyard-flyer.html
Naturally we entered the IMS flagroom in search
of some refreshments, and I believe I also ordered lunch. Sitting there, my IMS
Sherpa Daniel Baines Cooper noticed Mr.
Interscope who’d he’d seen the night before and tried striking up a conversation
with Him at an opposite table. As Danny Ongais was sitting alone trying to eat
lunch and really didn’t want to be bothered.
As I scribbled All those years ago, when Danny told
Mr. Interscope I’d just ridden the two seater and He could have been my
Chauffeur, Ongais curtly replied No Thanks! I’ll stick to Single Seaters!
Thus I came away thinking what a Gruff, Grumpy ‘Ol
Man this legendous’ IndyCar Driver was. Which now makes me think of a recent
post by another IndyCar blogger over how Aloof the Dude! Ryan Hunter-Reay
treated her recently…
All of which makes me marvel over the book I’m
re-reading about Paul Newman’s life, and how Newman said I Didn’t sign up to be
people’s Friends! As there’s the Private Paul Newman and the public Mr. Newman.
Newman further noted how Distressing it was to Him
to have countless people come up and continuously stare at His eyes! And when
He resorted to wearing Dark Sunglasses, countless Fans would say Take them Off!
To which Paul described felt to Him like
somebody coming up to a woman and saying Take off your Blouse, I wanna See your
Tits!
To Mr. Ongais credit, He did answer All of my
friend’s questions and was Never rude to us, simply wished to be left alone.
Which I’d surmise is Anybody’s prerogative…
And instead of trying to recount All of Mr.
Interscope’s accomplishments again, with winning the 1979 24 Hours of Daytona
arguably his Biggest. Instead I’ll direct Y’all to my previous No Fenders yarn
below.