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Asphalt Elephant 529
Summary Always a fan favorite whenever it comes out of the trailer, the Asphalt Elephant 1962 Dodge Dart combines the unique styling of early 60’s Chrysler Corporation vehicles with very high performance to make it half of the most attention-grabbing NSS duos currently running, along with its companion car, the Asphalt Angel.
Owner and Sponsors Owned by John Grinwald of Watertown, Wis. and sponsored by Almost NOS, LLC, and Jim’s Car Shop of Fond du Lac, Wis. Driver John Grinwald is married to Denise, and has two children, Chelsea and Nic. Grinwald, a former Dodge dealer, now owns several businesses, including Grinwald Ford Mercury, Watertown Body Shop and is a co-owner in Almost NOS, LLC. Also an expert in classic muscle car restoration, Grinwald, along with partner Rich Berlisk, won Best of Show three times with three different cars over a six-year period at the Mopar Nationals. Grinwald, whose nickname is the ‘Grin Reaper,’ or 'Sky Pilot', drove the Asphalt Angel five years in ET bracket racing before taking over the Asphalt Elephant.
History With an East Coast origin, there is evidence the Asphalt Elephant was first painted blue and owned by legendary racer Bill ‘Grumpy’ Jenkins. “It’s more than a rumor,” Grinwald said. Owned by Denny Guest in the early 80’s, the machine acquired red paint and a reputation on the Chicago street scene as being able to ‘hook up’ and win anywhere before being bought by Tom Ponder, who authored the name Asphalt Elephant. First replacing a mild 440 with an 11-second combo, Ponder then changed to an Indy 572 ci motor and floater rear suspension, eventually posting a 9.48, 142 mph best in NSS. After watching the car run at the Monster Mopar NSS Nationals at St. Louis in 2002, Grinwald acquired ownership and has continued the improvement process. Grinwald said, “We’ve done a lot of experimenting and now are working on consistency.” Technical Indy Maxx aluminum high deck block / Indy aluminum heads / Indy 2x4 NSS intake manifold with dual 800 CFM Edelbrock carbs / 580 cubic inches +, 950 horsepower, 820+ ft.lb. torque / ATI 9-inch alcohol torque converter / Pro Trans aluminum with 904 internals / Dana 9 ¾ rear member / 4.10 ratio. The car weighs 3050 lbs. with driver and runs on Phoenix 31 x 10.5W tires. Performance For ¼-mile, runs on 8.75 AAA/FX index / for 1/8-mile, 5.55 at 124 mph / all-time bests, 8.75 (club record) and 153 mph / for 60-feet, 1.25 all-time best / 1.35 on the rear wheels
Results/Achievements Quick qualifier, Mopars At The Strip 2007/Class champion AAA/FX, Chrysler Classic Bowling Green, Ky. 2007/Top class mph, NHRA Hot Rod Reunion 2006/Two-time Monster Mopar NSS Nationals A/FX class champion 2004-05. 2009 NSS National ET record holder 8.755 in 1/4 mile and 5.55 @ 124 mph 1/8th mile. |