"Our family, in particular my daughter Jenna, 9, has been closely affected by brain cancer," Arend, a 46-year old resident of San Dimas, Calif., said. "Jenna's friend, Julia Lujan, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in January, 2008. On November 4, 2008, Julia lost her battle with her brain cancer. So this weekend in Bristol and at the next event in Topeka [Kansas], our DHL Funny Car is going to wear a grey ribbon for Julia and try to bring NHRA drag racing fans' attention to Brain Tumor Awareness Month.

"We had grey ribbon decals produced to help us remember Julia, and to show our support to her family and everyone that has to cope with brain cancer."

Arend's wife, Windy, added, "Julia's mom, Leann, and her entire family have remained close to us and all the children in Jenna's class. We can't bring Julia back, but hopefully we can make people more aware and get more help to those who are suffering and to their families."

Arend joined Kalitta Motorsports in August of last year to assume the driving duties of the DHL entry after the tragic death of Scott Kalitta as the result of injuries he suffered in a high-speed racing accident in June in New Jersey. Arend is a 14-year Funny Car veteran with one NHRA Funny Car national event win to his credit - Reading, Pa., 1996.

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.

The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals begins Friday for the nitro-fueled classes with two qualifying sessions at 5:30 p.m. (ET) and 8:00 p.m. Two more qualifying opportunities take place Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The top sixteen qualified cars in each pro class will race Sunday in final eliminations beginning at noon.

All times and dates subject to change.

The NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals is the 8th of 24 national events in the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.

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. The racing operation was started in 1959 by legendary drag racer and team owner Connie "the Bounty Hunter" Kalitta. Jeff Arend drives the DHL Toyota Solara Funny Car for the team while Connie's nephew, Doug Kalitta, drives the 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

Courtesy of Todd Myers