Post by daj on Jul 21, 2005 6:36:01 GMT -5
Arend and CMKX part ways after Denver
LAS VEGAS, NV: Funny Car driver Jeff Arend and car owner Paul Smith no longer have a major sponsorship following a mutual agreement to end their association with CMKX Diamonds following the race in Denver. Arend and Smith have a complete and competitive turn key Funny Car operation ready to go racing as soon as new funding can be acquired.
"I met with Urban Casavant in Las Vegas on Monday," said Arend, "and we decided that due to the ever escalating cost of running a race team at the level required to be competitive against today's multi-car teams, it would be in everyone's best interest to go our separate ways at this time."
Arend has enjoyed a successful 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season. The 42-year-old Canadian native advanced to the final round in Bristol and made it to the semifinals in Chicago. Arend also qualified in the No. 2 spot in Englishtown with a career-best 4.792 at 322.19 mph. The former NHRA Funny Car national event champion also established himself as the best driver in the class at the starting line. Going into Denver, Arend had left first on his opponent 75-percent of the time during eliminations. He is currently 13th in the POWERade point standings, just 100 points out of the Top 10.
"I want to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Urban Casavant for being instrumental in my return to racing a Funny Car," Arend said. "CMKX came on board with us early last year and with their help we've been able to build a solid, cohesive team that is capable of fielding a competitive and consistent running Funny Car. I also want to thank Vincent Ferrone from VF Trucking for all of his support this season. Paul Smith and I are still ready and willing to go racing at the drop of a hat, we just need to find the support to maintain and run our race car at the level needed to be competitive on the NHRA tour."
Urban Casavant commented from his Las Vegas home, "Jeff Arend, Paul Smith and the entire CMKXtreme Machine team have done a great job in representing us. It is an unfortunate situation but I feel at this time that it's in the best interest of everyone involved."
LAS VEGAS, NV: Funny Car driver Jeff Arend and car owner Paul Smith no longer have a major sponsorship following a mutual agreement to end their association with CMKX Diamonds following the race in Denver. Arend and Smith have a complete and competitive turn key Funny Car operation ready to go racing as soon as new funding can be acquired.
"I met with Urban Casavant in Las Vegas on Monday," said Arend, "and we decided that due to the ever escalating cost of running a race team at the level required to be competitive against today's multi-car teams, it would be in everyone's best interest to go our separate ways at this time."
Arend has enjoyed a successful 2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing season. The 42-year-old Canadian native advanced to the final round in Bristol and made it to the semifinals in Chicago. Arend also qualified in the No. 2 spot in Englishtown with a career-best 4.792 at 322.19 mph. The former NHRA Funny Car national event champion also established himself as the best driver in the class at the starting line. Going into Denver, Arend had left first on his opponent 75-percent of the time during eliminations. He is currently 13th in the POWERade point standings, just 100 points out of the Top 10.
"I want to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Urban Casavant for being instrumental in my return to racing a Funny Car," Arend said. "CMKX came on board with us early last year and with their help we've been able to build a solid, cohesive team that is capable of fielding a competitive and consistent running Funny Car. I also want to thank Vincent Ferrone from VF Trucking for all of his support this season. Paul Smith and I are still ready and willing to go racing at the drop of a hat, we just need to find the support to maintain and run our race car at the level needed to be competitive on the NHRA tour."
Urban Casavant commented from his Las Vegas home, "Jeff Arend, Paul Smith and the entire CMKXtreme Machine team have done a great job in representing us. It is an unfortunate situation but I feel at this time that it's in the best interest of everyone involved."