Post by daj on Apr 11, 2005 18:55:58 GMT -5
4/11/2005 : Arend happy with the performance of the CMKXtreme Machine team at the Spring Nationals
Courtesy of Bill Walters
CMKXtreme Racing
HOUSTON, post-race: Even though the day ended a little earlier than expected CMKXtreme Machine Funny Car driver Jeff Arend was pleased with the team’s effort at the 18th annual NHRA O’Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park. Arend’s early exit followed a solid set of consistent runs during qualifying as crew chief Paul Smith continues to refine their set up.
Arend entered the first round of eliminations qualified 9th in the CMKXtreme Machine Firebird with a 4.864 at 313.66 mph. His opponent was Tommy Johnson Jr., who qualified just ahead of Arend in the No. 8 spot. Arend beat Johnson on a holeshot at the previous NHRA event in Gainesville and the pair also met in back to back races last season with Johnson winning both races, so Arend was gunning to even the score.
The weather at the Spring Nationals changed dramatically for Sunday’s eliminations, with windy conditions and a thick cloud cover over the track as racing began. Arend was in the right lane as both cars left together at the flash of green. Arend dropped a cylinder several hundred feet into the run and Johnson drove by to take the victory with a 4.906 at 313.88 mph to Arend’s 4.983 at 306.95 mph.
“The CMKXtreme Machine ran consistent all weekend,” said Arend after round one. “The weather changed on us today and we were looking to step up and run about a mid-4.80, but the car dropped a cylinder about two seconds into the run. The weather changed so much from what we were tuned up for and it fooled us a little bit.”<br>
The Canadian native continued, “We’ll be ready for Las Vegas, we want to make an excellent showing for Urban Casavant and all the CMKX shareholders. I’m looking for the CMKXtreme Machine to be running in the 4.70’s in Vegas.”
Courtesy of Bill Walters
CMKXtreme Racing
HOUSTON, post-race: Even though the day ended a little earlier than expected CMKXtreme Machine Funny Car driver Jeff Arend was pleased with the team’s effort at the 18th annual NHRA O’Reilly Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park. Arend’s early exit followed a solid set of consistent runs during qualifying as crew chief Paul Smith continues to refine their set up.
Arend entered the first round of eliminations qualified 9th in the CMKXtreme Machine Firebird with a 4.864 at 313.66 mph. His opponent was Tommy Johnson Jr., who qualified just ahead of Arend in the No. 8 spot. Arend beat Johnson on a holeshot at the previous NHRA event in Gainesville and the pair also met in back to back races last season with Johnson winning both races, so Arend was gunning to even the score.
The weather at the Spring Nationals changed dramatically for Sunday’s eliminations, with windy conditions and a thick cloud cover over the track as racing began. Arend was in the right lane as both cars left together at the flash of green. Arend dropped a cylinder several hundred feet into the run and Johnson drove by to take the victory with a 4.906 at 313.88 mph to Arend’s 4.983 at 306.95 mph.
“The CMKXtreme Machine ran consistent all weekend,” said Arend after round one. “The weather changed on us today and we were looking to step up and run about a mid-4.80, but the car dropped a cylinder about two seconds into the run. The weather changed so much from what we were tuned up for and it fooled us a little bit.”<br>
The Canadian native continued, “We’ll be ready for Las Vegas, we want to make an excellent showing for Urban Casavant and all the CMKX shareholders. I’m looking for the CMKXtreme Machine to be running in the 4.70’s in Vegas.”