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Post by Franko10 ™ on Nov 13, 2004 12:42:35 GMT -5
9/28/2004 : Arend eager to return to Route 66 Raceway
CHICAGO, pre-race: Funny Car driver Jeff Arend and the CMKXtreme Machine Racing team will return to record-setting Route 66 Raceway this weekend to compete at the 4th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. The POWERade Drag Racing Series will be making its second stop of the season at Route 66, the track that many consider the best in the country.
Arend enters the second Chicago event riding a 12-race qualifying streak as he continues to work toward a Top 15 finish in the season ending POWERade point standings. The 41-year-old Canadian native qualified for his 14th race of the season in Dallas last weekend but lost to John Force in the opening round of eliminations.
The determined crew of the CMKXtreme Machine Corvette, led by veteran crew chief Paul Smith, has been working diligently since Arend's return to full-time NHRA competition this past April. The team enjoyed one of their best outings of the season when they visited Route 66 Raceway in May. Arend blasted to a career-best 4.844 at 318.77 mph during qualifying and Smith had the CMKXtreme Machine running in the 4.80's most of the weekend.
Now that the NHRA tour returns to Chicago, Arend is eager to compete at the state-of-the-art facility again. "It should be pretty awesome," said Arend with a hint of anticipation. "It's really a first-class operation there so we don't mind going back for a second time, that's for sure. The conditions will probably be a little cooler this time of year and that will make for some great racing. Route 66 is one best track's we've raced at this season. The fans are great and you've also got Al's Steak House around the corner, so I'm looking forward to that. It should be a lot of fun."
The team expects another large turnout of CMKX shareholders at the CARQUEST Nationals, along with some special guests. "Vinny Ferrone will be there representing one of our associate sponsors, V. F. Trucking," said Arend, "and you never know if the Casavant's will show up."
CHICAGO, pre-race: Funny Car driver Jeff Arend and the CMKXtreme Machine Racing team will return to record-setting Route 66 Raceway this weekend to compete at the 4th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. The POWERade Drag Racing Series will be making its second stop of the season at Route 66, the track that many consider the best in the country.
Arend enters the second Chicago event riding a 12-race qualifying streak as he continues to work toward a Top 15 finish in the season ending POWERade point standings. The 41-year-old Canadian native qualified for his 14th race of the season in Dallas last weekend but lost to John Force in the opening round of eliminations.
The determined crew of the CMKXtreme Machine Corvette, led by veteran crew chief Paul Smith, has been working diligently since Arend's return to full-time NHRA competition this past April. The team enjoyed one of their best outings of the season when they visited Route 66 Raceway in May. Arend blasted to a career-best 4.844 at 318.77 mph during qualifying and Smith had the CMKXtreme Machine running in the 4.80's most of the weekend.
Now that the NHRA tour returns to Chicago, Arend is eager to compete at the state-of-the-art facility again. "It should be pretty awesome," said Arend with a hint of anticipation. "It's really a first-class operation there so we don't mind going back for a second time, that's for sure. The conditions will probably be a little cooler this time of year and that will make for some great racing. Route 66 is one best track's we've raced at this season. The fans are great and you've also got Al's Steak House around the corner, so I'm looking forward to that. It should be a lot of fun."
The team expects another large turnout of CMKX shareholders at the CARQUEST Nationals, along with some special guests. "Vinny Ferrone will be there representing one of our associate sponsors, V. F. Trucking," said Arend, "and you never know if the Casavant's will show up."
