Post by daj on Apr 11, 2005 18:54:49 GMT -5
4/11/2005 : Arend qualifies the CMKXtreme Machine for the third time this season in Texas
Courtesy of Bill Walters
CMKXtreme Racing
HOUSTON, qualifying: CMKXtreme Machine Funny Car driver Jeff Arend qualified for his third race of the season on Saturday at the 18th annual NHRA O’Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park. Arend made three consistent qualifying efforts to secure the No. 9 position and will face Tommy Johnson Jr. in the opening round of eliminations on Sunday.
Arend began his weekend in the Lone Star state by visiting the San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Friday morning in nearby Baytown, along with CMKX teammates Tony Bartone and Connie Cohen, signing autographs and entertaining patients and the staff.
Once qualifying began Friday afternoon at the Spring Nationals, Arend and the team of the CMKXtreme Machine Firebird turned their full attention to making Sunday’s 16-car eliminations field. Arend blasted to a solid 4.901 at 310.41 mph on his opening run to qualify in the No. 3 position following the first session. The 42-year-old Canadian native improved on his opening run during Friday’s evening session with a consistent 4.864 at 313.66 mph to finish the first day of qualifying in the No. 9 spot.
The final day of qualifying at the Spring Nationals was warm and dry as the Funny Cars rolled to the starting line for their third session early in the afternoon, during the heat of the day. Arend guided the CMKXtreme Machine Firebird to a 4.941 at 309.06 mph and held on to the No. 9 qualifying position with one session remaining to set the field. After overpowering the track on his final run, Arend finished qualifying solidly in the No. 9 position.
“This is probably the most consistent weekend of qualifying we’ve enjoyed so far this season,” said a smiling Arend. “We’re finally getting a handle on our new tune up and after struggling with the handling the first few races we seem to have that problem sorted out too. Now the car drives like dream, like it’s supposed to. It’s going to make it a lot easier for the CMKXtreme Machine to be more consistent. This year we’re qualifying in the middle of the pack and I really feel like we have as good a chance as anyone at winning the first round. I’m looking forward to going a few rounds tomorrow.”<br>
Courtesy of Bill Walters
CMKXtreme Racing
HOUSTON, qualifying: CMKXtreme Machine Funny Car driver Jeff Arend qualified for his third race of the season on Saturday at the 18th annual NHRA O’Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park. Arend made three consistent qualifying efforts to secure the No. 9 position and will face Tommy Johnson Jr. in the opening round of eliminations on Sunday.
Arend began his weekend in the Lone Star state by visiting the San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Friday morning in nearby Baytown, along with CMKX teammates Tony Bartone and Connie Cohen, signing autographs and entertaining patients and the staff.
Once qualifying began Friday afternoon at the Spring Nationals, Arend and the team of the CMKXtreme Machine Firebird turned their full attention to making Sunday’s 16-car eliminations field. Arend blasted to a solid 4.901 at 310.41 mph on his opening run to qualify in the No. 3 position following the first session. The 42-year-old Canadian native improved on his opening run during Friday’s evening session with a consistent 4.864 at 313.66 mph to finish the first day of qualifying in the No. 9 spot.
The final day of qualifying at the Spring Nationals was warm and dry as the Funny Cars rolled to the starting line for their third session early in the afternoon, during the heat of the day. Arend guided the CMKXtreme Machine Firebird to a 4.941 at 309.06 mph and held on to the No. 9 qualifying position with one session remaining to set the field. After overpowering the track on his final run, Arend finished qualifying solidly in the No. 9 position.
“This is probably the most consistent weekend of qualifying we’ve enjoyed so far this season,” said a smiling Arend. “We’re finally getting a handle on our new tune up and after struggling with the handling the first few races we seem to have that problem sorted out too. Now the car drives like dream, like it’s supposed to. It’s going to make it a lot easier for the CMKXtreme Machine to be more consistent. This year we’re qualifying in the middle of the pack and I really feel like we have as good a chance as anyone at winning the first round. I’m looking forward to going a few rounds tomorrow.”<br>