THE CHAMPIONS ISSUE
AsphAlt WArs open BoDy
Dennis Dimitrov
It was announced during 2016- 2017 offseason that the Asphalt Wars Open Body class would adopt a new 3.99-second index for the 2017 season and beyond . This news was met with controversy , being that the series had always run with heads-up-type interests . However , Asphalt Wars veterans Dennis Dimitrov and Lou Novotny opted to go into the 2017 with open minds .
“ I was really concerned that we would have a tougher time being competitive with a clutch car and a 3-speed that I have to manually shift , compared to the rest of my competitors who leave of a transbrake button and run auto-shifters ,” Dimitrov admits .
The dynamic duo that is Dimitrov and Novotny campaign a unique ride that was built entirely by Novotny in 2000 , just a few short years after he suffered a nearly career-ending accident at Cordova . Several years later , Dimitrov , a longtime crew hand , was given the opportunity to acquire his Top Alcohol Dragster license in the car referred to as “ The Rogue ”, and took over driving duties in 2009 . The car features a rare 527 ci Chet Herbert Hemi topped by a SSI Supercharger , and utilizes a Hays clutch with a B & J Transmission .
The Ohio based team lead by Novotny , 81 , adapted to the newly established rules and had a season that will go down in the record books .
“ Reliability was the biggest factor in our championship season ,” Dimitrov believes . “ It ’ s all thanks to Lou . It ’ s amazing for a dude his age that he still does almost all of the maintenance on the car at his house . He makes sure the car is right before every race . I ’ m just too busy running my business these days to help him , and he handles it , no problem .”
After competing in the series for six years since its inception in 2009 , Dimitrov remained winless – until the 2017 season , that is .
PHOTOS : COLE ROKOSKY
“ It was an amazing year ,” Dimitrov says . “ We qualified No . 1 for our first time ever . Then we went on to collect our first-ever win . We even went on to win the remaining two races as well . We ’ ve been doing this for a long time , and it meant so much to us to finally get that first win . Lou is truly a legend of this sport , and I really appreciate the opportunity he has given me to drive this car .
“ We couldn ’ t do it without our crew , Nick , Cal , and John . We all make a great team , and we have a great time doing it . I ’ d also like to thank Jim and Greg Curtis , Roberta Benedict , Denny Kochever , Carlos Pedro , and the rest of the crew at Thompson Raceway Park for providing a great track and facility for us to race at , and for always treating us like family . Oh , and Tom Lang for his coverage and all the other stuff he does . Thank you to zippityprint . com and Ken at Motorsports Unlimited for their unwavering support as well . We couldn ’ t have won every contested round of the 2017 season without all of those people .”
– COLE ROKOSKY DI
NHRA TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER JOEY SEVERANCE
January / February 2018 DragIllustrated . com | Drag Illustrated | 81