Thu, 17 Sep 2009, 08:40 PM Arend Looks to Keep Momentum Rolling Over 300 MPH in Charlotte

Courtesy of Todd Myers

CONCORD, N.C. -- Jeff Arend, driver of the bright yellow, nitro-fueled DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car, is optimistic that he and his DHL team will take the next step in their winning ways with a strong performance this weekend, Sept. 18-20, at the annual running of the NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C., just a few miles from the Charlotte city limits.

At the previous two NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events, Arend and the DHL team have seen their 8,000-horsepower race car's performances on the 1,000-ft. race track get quicker and more consistent. These factors have helped the team capture its first round-wins of the season and given them the confidence that they can continue to climb to event-winning contention.

"It's amazing what a couple of round-wins can do for a team's attitude," Arend, a 46-year old resident of San Dimas, Calif., said. "We have a great team on our DHL Funny Car, and to see the crew guys get a little bit more of a jump in their steps in the past couple of races has given everyone in our Kalitta Motorsports operation a big boost going into Charlotte.

"We're really looking forward to racing this weekend in Charlotte. The facility that Bruton Smith (track owner) has built is just incredible in every aspect from the grandstands to the track surface. It's really in a class by itself."

Arend, a native Canadian, has 26 round-wins in his career. He is married to Windy, and they have a daughter, Jenna, 9.

Event Schedule
The NHRA Carolinas Nationals begin Friday for the nitro-fueled classes with two qualifying sessions at 3:30 p.m. (ET) and 7:00 p.m. and again on Saturday at noon and 3:30 p.m. The top 16 qualified cars in each pro class will race Sunday in final eliminations beginning at noon.

Times and dates subject to change.

The NHRA Carolinas Nationals is the 19th of 24 national events in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

ESPN2 TV Schedule
9/19 - Qualifying: 11:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. (ET) 9/20 - Eliminations: 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
9/24 - Repeat Eliminations: 1:30 a.m. - 3:30 a.m.

Times and dates subject to change.

About Kalitta Motorsports
Based in Ypsilanti, Mich., Kalitta Motorsports is a Top Fuel and Funny Car drag racing team in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. In 2009, Kalitta Motorsports is celebrating 50 years of drag racing by team owner and drag racing legend Connie "the Bounty Hunter" Kalitta. Over the past 50 years, Connie, who has been involved in the sport as a driver, tuner, and as an owner, has dedicated unequalled amounts of time and resources to building one of the most successful teams in the history of auto racing. Kalitta Motorsports has won five world championships and over 50 national event titles in five different drag racing sanctioning bodies since it was established by Connie in 1959.

Jeff Arend drives the DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car for the team while Connie's nephew, Doug Kalitta, drives the No. 50 Top Fuel dragster entry. Connie serves as head tuner for both Team Kalitta entries. He is assisted by crew chief Jim Oberhofer and assistant crew chief Troy Fasching on Doug's Top Fueler and by co-crew chiefs Jon Oberhofer and Nick Boninfante on the DHL Funny Car.

Associate sponsors on Kalitta Motorsports' race cars include Red Line Oil, Summit Racing Equipment, Technicoat Companies, Rocky Boots, Toyota, and Mac Tools.

For more info about Kalitta Motorsports, please visit http://www.teamkalitta.com

Follow Team Kalitta on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TeamKalitta

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kalitta

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