Owner
Post by Franko10 ™ on Feb 8, 2005 16:22:07 GMT -5
Arend and CMKX team ready to shine at season-opener in Pomona
(2-8-2005) - Jeff Arend used the “Last-chance” test session at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend to shake down the new CMKXtreme Machine Funny Car in preparation for the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season. Arend will begin his first full-season of competition behind the wheel of a brand new Murf McKinney Funny Car, using a Chevy Monte Carlo body.
Arend, a former NHRA Funny Car national event champion, made four runs in Las Vegas while testing in his new ride. During testing Arend used the same Pontiac Firebird body that he ran sparingly last season. The CMKX team will have a new Chevy Monte Carlo shell in time for the NHRA season-opener in Pomona.
“We could have come out here to Las Vegas and used last year’s combination and probably run in the 4.80’s,” said Arend, a native Canadian who is now a resident of San Dimas, Calif. “But we are working with a bunch of new parts and components this year in an effort to improve our performance from last season. It’s going to take a little time to get things sorted out but our goal is to run well enough to be competitive for all of the CMKX shareholders who have supported us.”
Paul Smith, the veteran crew chief who helped Arend assemble the CMKXtreme team in record time last season and made the tuning calls, has returned in the 2005. He will be joined by veteran wrench Rick Cassel to start off the year in Pomona.
“We have made a lot of changes in an effort to be competitive in 2005,” Arend added. “It may take a race or two to get up to speed but our goal is to be a Top Ten team in the hunt for the POWERade championship at the end of the year.”<br>
The CMKXtreme Machine Funny Car will feature a one-race paint-scheme for the Winternationals. Arend’s Funny Car will be adorned with graphics promoting “The Trader”, an upcoming reality television show based on the stock market.
Arend will begin the weekend in Pomona by visiting patients at City of Hope National Medical Center located in nearby Duarte, Calif. Arend will visit with children and their parents, signing autographs, posing for photos and handing out CMKX merchandise.
“Visiting hospitals as we tour the nation is just our way of bringing a little bit of NHRA Drag Racing to those who unfortunately cannot attend the races due to medical circumstances,” said Arend. “It is a very rewarding experience when your able to help those that are facing health issues to be able to smile for a little while.”
www.competitionplus.com/2005_02_03/news_dirt.html
(2-8-2005) - Jeff Arend used the “Last-chance” test session at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend to shake down the new CMKXtreme Machine Funny Car in preparation for the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season. Arend will begin his first full-season of competition behind the wheel of a brand new Murf McKinney Funny Car, using a Chevy Monte Carlo body.
Arend, a former NHRA Funny Car national event champion, made four runs in Las Vegas while testing in his new ride. During testing Arend used the same Pontiac Firebird body that he ran sparingly last season. The CMKX team will have a new Chevy Monte Carlo shell in time for the NHRA season-opener in Pomona.
“We could have come out here to Las Vegas and used last year’s combination and probably run in the 4.80’s,” said Arend, a native Canadian who is now a resident of San Dimas, Calif. “But we are working with a bunch of new parts and components this year in an effort to improve our performance from last season. It’s going to take a little time to get things sorted out but our goal is to run well enough to be competitive for all of the CMKX shareholders who have supported us.”
Paul Smith, the veteran crew chief who helped Arend assemble the CMKXtreme team in record time last season and made the tuning calls, has returned in the 2005. He will be joined by veteran wrench Rick Cassel to start off the year in Pomona.
“We have made a lot of changes in an effort to be competitive in 2005,” Arend added. “It may take a race or two to get up to speed but our goal is to be a Top Ten team in the hunt for the POWERade championship at the end of the year.”<br>
The CMKXtreme Machine Funny Car will feature a one-race paint-scheme for the Winternationals. Arend’s Funny Car will be adorned with graphics promoting “The Trader”, an upcoming reality television show based on the stock market.
Arend will begin the weekend in Pomona by visiting patients at City of Hope National Medical Center located in nearby Duarte, Calif. Arend will visit with children and their parents, signing autographs, posing for photos and handing out CMKX merchandise.
“Visiting hospitals as we tour the nation is just our way of bringing a little bit of NHRA Drag Racing to those who unfortunately cannot attend the races due to medical circumstances,” said Arend. “It is a very rewarding experience when your able to help those that are facing health issues to be able to smile for a little while.”
www.competitionplus.com/2005_02_03/news_dirt.html
