INDIANAPOLIS, (Aug. 28, 2008) – Native Canadian Jeff Arend will take the reigns as driver of the Nitro-fueled DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car at this weekend’s, Aug. 27-Sept. 1, annual running of the world-renowned Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis.
Kalitta Motorsports team owner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta chose Arend to drive the DHL Toyota Solara mount in late July to help preserve the legacy of his legendary son, Scott Kalitta, who died as result of a high-speed Funny Car qualifying accident in Englishtown, N.J., June 21.
“It will always be Scott’s car,” Arend, a 46-year old resident of San Dimas, Calif., said. “I am just the newest member to be added to the DHL Funny Car team, and I will do my best to accomplish what Scott and Connie started out to do, and that is having a consistent, competitive, and safe racecar capable of going rounds and winning races.
“Scott was a racer that would race you hard, but one who always enjoyed life, too. He was a great husband and father to his children. For those that know me, I try to emulate those same, basic traits. I will do my best to carry on what Scott was best known for – family.”
Arend was the No. 1 qualifier in the Funny Car class at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in 2007. His most recent start in a Funny Car at an NHRA national event prior to this weekend was at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November of last year.
Arend continued, “We took the DHL car up to Martin (Michigan) to test this week, and we’re very pleased with what we saw. I was a little rusty on the first lap, but once I got the cobwebs shook loose, everything was fine. We’re all anxious to get on the track at Indy and carry on with what Scott started.”
Qualifying for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals begins Friday for the nitro-fueled classes with one session at 6:30 p.m. (ET). Two more qualifying sessions take place Saturday at 1:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., followed by two more opportunities to qualify on Sunday at 12:45 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. The top 16 qualified cars will race Monday, Labor Day, in final eliminations beginning at 11:00 a.m.
All times and dates subject to change.
Jeff Arend At A Glance
• Birth date: November 27, 1962
• Years in racing: 28
• Years in Funny Car: 13
• Place of residence: San Dimas, California
• Marital status: Married (Windy)
• Children: Daughter (Jenna) Feb. 23, 2000
• Career best points finish: 11th (2007)
• NHRA pro event wins: 1 (1996 - Reading, Pa.)
• Hobbies: Playing with daughter Jenna, golf, more golf, even more golf, billiards, and bowling
About Kalitta Motorsports
Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) POWERade Drag Racing Series. The racing operation was started in 1959 by now legendary drag racer and team owner Connie “the Bounty Hunter” Kalitta. Connie’s nephew, Doug Kalitta drives the flagship Top Fuel dragster for Mac Tools. Native Australian Dave Grubnic drives the DHL Top Fuel dragster, Jeff Arend drives the DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car, and Hillary Will drives the Ken Black-owned and Kalitta Motorsports-managed KB Racing, LLC Top Fuel dragster.
Connie serves as head tuner for all Team Kalitta entries. He is assisted by crew chiefs Jim Oberhofer (KB Racing, LLC dragster) and Glenn Mikres (DHL Funny Car). Connie serves as crew chief on the DHL dragster with assistance from co-crew chief James Riola. Jon Oberhofer and Nick Boninfante are co-crew chiefs on the Mac Tools dragster.
Associate sponsors on all Kalitta Motorsports’ race cars include Mac Tools, Red Line Oil, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, K2M, and Toyota.
For more info about Kalitta Motorsports, please visit www.teamkalitta.com.
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