Post by daj on May 17, 2005 8:49:11 GMT -5
Arend qualifies the CMKXtreme Machine
Courtesy of Bill Walters
CMKXtreme Racing
ATLANTA, Saturday: CMKXtreme Machine Funny Car driver Jeff Arend followed his final round appearance in Bristol two weeks ago by qualifying for his sixth race of the season at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Georgia.
After Arend’s first run was disqualified due to a timing malfunction, he returned Friday afternoon and laid down a solid 4.976 at 302.81 mph to qualify in the No. 12 position. Arend was on a monster run on his third qualifying lap on Saturday when the CMKXtreme Machine spun the tires at the top end, forcing the 42-year-old veteran Funny Car pilot to wisely shut off early. The Canadian native slowed to a 5.128 at 228.00 mph to finish the third session qualified 13th.
Mother Nature delayed qualifying for over two hours in the afternoon with Arend qualified in the pressure-filled 13th spot. After the track was dried racing resumed. Arend improved on his final qualifying lap with a clutch 4.916 at 309.20 mph, winding up in the No. 11 position.
The CMKXtreme Machine Monte Carlo faces the Ford Mustang driven by rookie Robert Hight in round one of eliminations on Sunday.
“I feel really good about our chances this weekend,” stated Arend. “Obviously, we’ll need to step it up a little bit tomorrow. We thought we were in the show safely and done for the day, but then we had to come back after the rain delay and the track was excellent. We probably could have stood on it a little harder but a 4.91 is pretty good.
“We’re just happy to qualify for all of our friends and associates with CMKX and I think we’re looking good going into race day tomorrow.”
Courtesy of Bill Walters
CMKXtreme Racing
ATLANTA, Saturday: CMKXtreme Machine Funny Car driver Jeff Arend followed his final round appearance in Bristol two weeks ago by qualifying for his sixth race of the season at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Georgia.
After Arend’s first run was disqualified due to a timing malfunction, he returned Friday afternoon and laid down a solid 4.976 at 302.81 mph to qualify in the No. 12 position. Arend was on a monster run on his third qualifying lap on Saturday when the CMKXtreme Machine spun the tires at the top end, forcing the 42-year-old veteran Funny Car pilot to wisely shut off early. The Canadian native slowed to a 5.128 at 228.00 mph to finish the third session qualified 13th.
Mother Nature delayed qualifying for over two hours in the afternoon with Arend qualified in the pressure-filled 13th spot. After the track was dried racing resumed. Arend improved on his final qualifying lap with a clutch 4.916 at 309.20 mph, winding up in the No. 11 position.
The CMKXtreme Machine Monte Carlo faces the Ford Mustang driven by rookie Robert Hight in round one of eliminations on Sunday.
“I feel really good about our chances this weekend,” stated Arend. “Obviously, we’ll need to step it up a little bit tomorrow. We thought we were in the show safely and done for the day, but then we had to come back after the rain delay and the track was excellent. We probably could have stood on it a little harder but a 4.91 is pretty good.
“We’re just happy to qualify for all of our friends and associates with CMKX and I think we’re looking good going into race day tomorrow.”