Post by daj on Apr 4, 2005 12:58:36 GMT -5
4/4/2005 : Arend headed in the right direction as the CMKXtreme Machine team travels to Houston
Courtesy of Bill Walters
CMKXtreme Racing
HOUSTON, pre-race: Jeff Arend will be looking to build on his recent quarterfinal finish as he travels to Texas to compete at the 18th annual NHRA O’Reilly Spring Nationals. The driver of the CMKXtreme Machine Funny Car returns to Houston Raceway Park for the first time since he stunned everyone in his return to the class with a No. 3 qualifying effort one year ago. The record-setting facility in Houston is also the same quarter-mile that CMKXtreme Machine crew chief, veteran Paul Smith, tuned Bob Gilbertson to victory in Funny Car in 2000.
Arend began the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season on a high note by qualifying in Pomona with a career-best 4.797 at the Winternationals. The 42-year-old Canadian native missed the cut at the next event in Phoenix, but rebounded in dramatic fashion at the Gatornationals in Gainesville. Arend qualified 11th and won his first round since 1996 with a first round holeshot victory over Tommy Johnson, Jr. With his quarterfinal finish at the Gators, Arend and the CMKXtreme Machine team now hope to build on their momentum with another solid effort in Houston.
“It was a great feeling to finally earn a win light in Gainesville,” said Arend, a former NHRA Funny Car national event champion. “We made a load of changes during the off-season and crew chief Paul Smith has been making steady progress with our new set up. He has experienced a lot of good luck in Houston and we’re looking forward to going mores rounds and making things uncomfortable for the rest of the class in Texas.”<br>
Arend will be competing in his 45th career national event in Funny Car at the O’Reilly Spring Nationals and is currently 13th in the national point standings. Prior to qualifying, Arend will join CMKX Racing teammates, Tony Bartone and Connie Cohen, on a visit with patients at the San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown, Texas.
Courtesy of Bill Walters
CMKXtreme Racing
HOUSTON, pre-race: Jeff Arend will be looking to build on his recent quarterfinal finish as he travels to Texas to compete at the 18th annual NHRA O’Reilly Spring Nationals. The driver of the CMKXtreme Machine Funny Car returns to Houston Raceway Park for the first time since he stunned everyone in his return to the class with a No. 3 qualifying effort one year ago. The record-setting facility in Houston is also the same quarter-mile that CMKXtreme Machine crew chief, veteran Paul Smith, tuned Bob Gilbertson to victory in Funny Car in 2000.
Arend began the 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season on a high note by qualifying in Pomona with a career-best 4.797 at the Winternationals. The 42-year-old Canadian native missed the cut at the next event in Phoenix, but rebounded in dramatic fashion at the Gatornationals in Gainesville. Arend qualified 11th and won his first round since 1996 with a first round holeshot victory over Tommy Johnson, Jr. With his quarterfinal finish at the Gators, Arend and the CMKXtreme Machine team now hope to build on their momentum with another solid effort in Houston.
“It was a great feeling to finally earn a win light in Gainesville,” said Arend, a former NHRA Funny Car national event champion. “We made a load of changes during the off-season and crew chief Paul Smith has been making steady progress with our new set up. He has experienced a lot of good luck in Houston and we’re looking forward to going mores rounds and making things uncomfortable for the rest of the class in Texas.”<br>
Arend will be competing in his 45th career national event in Funny Car at the O’Reilly Spring Nationals and is currently 13th in the national point standings. Prior to qualifying, Arend will join CMKX Racing teammates, Tony Bartone and Connie Cohen, on a visit with patients at the San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown, Texas.