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LAS VEGAS (April 9, 2007) -- So far, through four hands of hotly contested NHRA POWERade "poker," Jeff Arend has seen the highs of drawing to a straight, and has seen the lows of losing to a bluff. Now, heading to Las Vegas for this weekend's NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, Arend is readying his steely-eyed gaze, and is prepared to steal the pot in his blue Checker, Schuck's, Kragen Funny Car.
Arend advanced to the semi-final at the season opening race, playing his No. 11 qualifying position about as well as he could before bowing out to Robert Hight. He then squeaked into the Phoenix field in the 16th, and final, spot before bowing out quickly in the first round. Since then, his hand has been stronger, with a No. 4 qualifying spot in Gainesville and a No. 8 position in Houston, but he's been unable to capitalize in the form of round wins. The popular Team CSK blue team driver aims to reverse that bit of ill-fortune this weekend, in what will most likely be his final race with a Monte Carlo body on his car.
"It looked like it was going to come right down to the last minute, as to whether we have the new Impala on the car or not, but it's just a little behind at the paint shop and we'd have to pull some all-nighters to get it ready," Arend said. "We've been running well lately, in the Monte Carlo, so I'm confident we're in for a very good weekend. It just didn't make sense for us to stall our departure, get to the track late, and work all night to have the Impala on there by Friday, so we'll go with the hand we have. All things considered, that's okay, and we have some momentum to build on.
"We've been in the top half of the field at two straight races, and these days that's pretty hard to do. We ran well in the first round at the last race, in Houston, and easily could have won that round and won that race, but drag racing is a tough business and we got edged out by inches. We didn't let that get us down, and there's not much we need to change right now, so we're coming into Vegas with plenty of confidence. We just need to keep doing what we're doing, and good things will happen."
Despite the disappointing loss in Houston, plenty of good things have been happening to Arend and his team, all year. They've made the race field at all four events (no easy task in today's Funny Car world,) and have reset the driver's career bests in both E.T. and speed. Inside the car, Arend has quickly proven his worth as a driver, consistently nailing the tree at the starting line while he also keeps the car in contention and out of trouble throughout the quarter-mile. The pieces are in place, with some good cards in his hand, and all Arend wants to do is keep playing.
"Good things are going to happen, I know that," he said. "We have a great team, they're good guys and they know what they're doing. The car is running well, and we're going about it the right way. You know, if we would've been a few inches quicker in Houston, we could easily be talking about the race we just won, or how we're right up near the top of the points. It's that tight out here, and we're right in the middle of it.
"As it is, we're still coming in to Vegas in the top eight, and that's everyone's goal this year. We've been above the cut line since we started in Pomona, and the main focus for everyone on this team is to stay there. If we keep running well, and I keep doing my job, we should be able to qualify high and win some rounds. Winning the first round is the toughest, and probably the most critical, so that's the first order of business this weekend, and every weekend."
Though it appears he won't be joining teammate Del Worsham in an Impala Worsham plans on bringing his first Impala to the line for qualifying this weekend,) and instead will be sticking with the Monte Carlo that got him here, Arend knows he'll be behind the wheel of a fast car.
"I've been racing for the Worshams and Checker, Schuck's, Kragen for four races, and I've already demolished my career bests both ways, so there's nothing wrong with the Monte Carlo. The Impala looks to be a big step up, though, so we'll be excited to get it on the track as soon as we can. As for this weekend, well we're staying at the Monte Carlo hotel, so maybe it's time to give the old Monte one more shot at a trophy. I just want to go fast, leave first, and win."
He may not have pocket aces, but Arend's hand is clearly good enough to go all in.
AS ALWAYS, AREND AIMS FOR ACES
LAS VEGAS (April 9, 2007) -- So far, through four hands of hotly contested NHRA POWERade "poker," Jeff Arend has seen the highs of drawing to a straight, and has seen the lows of losing to a bluff. Now, heading to Las Vegas for this weekend's NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, Arend is readying his steely-eyed gaze, and is prepared to steal the pot in his blue Checker, Schuck's, Kragen Funny Car.
Arend advanced to the semi-final at the season opening race, playing his No. 11 qualifying position about as well as he could before bowing out to Robert Hight. He then squeaked into the Phoenix field in the 16th, and final, spot before bowing out quickly in the first round. Since then, his hand has been stronger, with a No. 4 qualifying spot in Gainesville and a No. 8 position in Houston, but he's been unable to capitalize in the form of round wins. The popular Team CSK blue team driver aims to reverse that bit of ill-fortune this weekend, in what will most likely be his final race with a Monte Carlo body on his car.
"It looked like it was going to come right down to the last minute, as to whether we have the new Impala on the car or not, but it's just a little behind at the paint shop and we'd have to pull some all-nighters to get it ready," Arend said. "We've been running well lately, in the Monte Carlo, so I'm confident we're in for a very good weekend. It just didn't make sense for us to stall our departure, get to the track late, and work all night to have the Impala on there by Friday, so we'll go with the hand we have. All things considered, that's okay, and we have some momentum to build on.
"We've been in the top half of the field at two straight races, and these days that's pretty hard to do. We ran well in the first round at the last race, in Houston, and easily could have won that round and won that race, but drag racing is a tough business and we got edged out by inches. We didn't let that get us down, and there's not much we need to change right now, so we're coming into Vegas with plenty of confidence. We just need to keep doing what we're doing, and good things will happen."
Despite the disappointing loss in Houston, plenty of good things have been happening to Arend and his team, all year. They've made the race field at all four events (no easy task in today's Funny Car world,) and have reset the driver's career bests in both E.T. and speed. Inside the car, Arend has quickly proven his worth as a driver, consistently nailing the tree at the starting line while he also keeps the car in contention and out of trouble throughout the quarter-mile. The pieces are in place, with some good cards in his hand, and all Arend wants to do is keep playing.
"Good things are going to happen, I know that," he said. "We have a great team, they're good guys and they know what they're doing. The car is running well, and we're going about it the right way. You know, if we would've been a few inches quicker in Houston, we could easily be talking about the race we just won, or how we're right up near the top of the points. It's that tight out here, and we're right in the middle of it.
"As it is, we're still coming in to Vegas in the top eight, and that's everyone's goal this year. We've been above the cut line since we started in Pomona, and the main focus for everyone on this team is to stay there. If we keep running well, and I keep doing my job, we should be able to qualify high and win some rounds. Winning the first round is the toughest, and probably the most critical, so that's the first order of business this weekend, and every weekend."
Though it appears he won't be joining teammate Del Worsham in an Impala Worsham plans on bringing his first Impala to the line for qualifying this weekend,) and instead will be sticking with the Monte Carlo that got him here, Arend knows he'll be behind the wheel of a fast car.
"I've been racing for the Worshams and Checker, Schuck's, Kragen for four races, and I've already demolished my career bests both ways, so there's nothing wrong with the Monte Carlo. The Impala looks to be a big step up, though, so we'll be excited to get it on the track as soon as we can. As for this weekend, well we're staying at the Monte Carlo hotel, so maybe it's time to give the old Monte one more shot at a trophy. I just want to go fast, leave first, and win."
He may not have pocket aces, but Arend's hand is clearly good enough to go all in.
