The one turbocharged car you'd want to race down the track?
Steph's '01 H-series turbo maniac Civic. It ran 8.12 @ 184 back in 2001 and fools still can't beat that record today.
The worse on-track accident you've been involved in?
Back in 2004, at Englishtown, N.J., at the top end of the track the passenger side control arm broke and spun me out in a 360. I ran a 10.20 and was going 130 when I hit the wall. I hit so hard I blacked out for a minute. The driver door was so banged up that I had to crawl out the passenger-side door.
Any major injuries?
I was more shook up than anything. I was more worried about how I was going to fix the car for Sunday. Come Monday, however, I felt like an 80-year-old man.
Can't believe you walked out of a 130mph crash. How was the car?
It ended up taking two months and $20 grand to rebuild. The crash was a real eye opener. You never think you'll crash and that it only happens in TV. During the rebuild process, we looked at safety more; before it was all about weight.
Money question: Is drag racing dead?
Drag racing is at a standstill for sure. It's only going to move as fast as we push it. Everybody in the industry needs to work together and stop being selfish.
What do you think of the NOPI/NHRA deal?
It's definitely a smart move, but executed wrong. NHRA should've kept its roots with the drag racing portion. NOPI is more lifestyle oriented. But with the two of them under one roof, it could be what the scene really needs. I'm hoping it'll bring it back to how it was in the '90s.
How can drag racing come back?
Everyone needs to support it. Either by coming as spectators or entering their car instead of sitting behind their computers talking shit and e-racing. We need everyone in the industry to pull.
Your thoughts on drag racers turning to drift and time attack?
It's something new and exciting, but them bitches will be back. It's a choice. They're doing it for their own reasons.
You ever think about drifting or trying time attack?
I'm down with time attack. It's all about making power and driving the car...not dancing around for points like in drift. To each his own I guess.
So is there a Drag Cartel time attack car ahead?
Thoughts have crossed my mind. I need to make some time to go out to one and check it out. Hopefully, I'll get Rado on a good day and go out for a hot lap in his Scion. But I'd build a Honda. Besides the two Honda drag cars, what else do you have?
My passion for lowriders never went away, I have an OG '67 all-original Impala, that's my weekend car. I built a badass chopper with famous builder Jesse Rooke that's painted to match my current drag car. I also have a show '07 Honda Fit, and I have a custom '08 xB as a daily.
Besides racing what else do you do?
I hang out with my daughter. I ride motorcross, snowboard, skate, and anything extreme to take my mind off of work.
Is there a racer that you respect?
Fuck no.
The one dude you'd love to spank at the track?
No one. I'm already number one.
Your fondest memory drag racing.
Locking up the '06 championship title in Pomona, Calif. It was at my backyard and all my friends and family were there. There are no words to describe how I felt. I would love to do it again.
The secret to your success?
It all starts with physical labor. Doing it all yourself with hard labor. Knowing every nut and bolt on the car and engine. By keeping it all in-house you're able to keep R&D gossip to a minimum. On a technical level, cylinder head and cam design. My crew, James and Shawn, they keep it real. They're down for the cause and they love winning as much as I do. And all sponsors, boss man BD the owner of DVS Shoes, American Honda, Rockstar, Sean at ERL Performance, JE Pistons, Torco Race oils, ACT, Mac tools, Supertech Valves, TWM Induction, Crane Cams, K&N Filters, Alpinestars, and Portflow Designs.
And finally, do you Mr. Lookofsky, live your life 9 seconds at a time?
[Laughs] I'm going home and renting Fast and Furious tonight. To answer your question, no.