Canadian native drag racing talent Jeff Arend scores his biggest career win within North America’s exciting nitro nostalgia Funny Car racing spectrum.

Arend (originally from Toronto) and who now lives in La Verne CA., was behind the wheel of the Matt Bynum-tuned and Randy Lucchetti-owned Pontiac Firebird for the 2024 edition California Hot Rod Reunion event at Bakersfield – which was competed on Oct. 28th.

After Jeff qualified this rather unique “pedal clutch/old school” machine 5th — he proceeded then to collect four round win lights, including the final over the series’ overall Champion – Bobby Cottrell.

Jeff, who is also a skilled instructor for reputed Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School qualified 5th for the 16-car field at the event – which was the 2024 series finale.

Prior to defeating Cottrell, he topped opponents Todd Miller, Tony Jurado and Geoff Monise.

With that placing Jeff finished 3rd in the final Hot Rod Heritage Series points chase.

“That was my first time winning at Bakersfield,” he beamed. “I started driving this car this year – I drove it 3 races for them including the March Meet – where I lost in the final.”

“It’s a pedal clutch and has no burnout stop/tach or shift light. It’s rather old school for that but makes driving it a lot more fun!”

Jeff’s season in the car also included a R/UP placing at the Hot Rod Heritage event in Woodburn Oregon – last August – and in retrospect that final lost was consequential at season’s end.

“We lost that final to Bucky Austin’s car because the top of the CO2 bottle came loose,” he revealed. “We were 3 car lengths ahead at 1/2 track — but as racing fate would have it. Had we won that last round — we would have won the championship!”

Jeff’s win at the Hot Rod Reunion also included a personal best ET for him within this division of Funny Car racing – that being a very gratifying 5.582 secs at 262.00 mph which flashed up during his round two victory.

Jeff Arend’s 2024 season as a hired gun status driver also did include two events within the Legends Nitro Funny Car (Presented by Modern Warriors) series, which is featured within a few NHRA national event dates. Jeff drove Eddie Knox’s “Problem Child” car at Pomona and Phoenix – placing in the final and semifinal rounds respectively.

In the final count for 2024 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series – Nitro FC Class points – two of three top spots were claimed by Canadian native drivers. Just behind overall winner Bobby Cottrell (361) is Alberta’s Nathan Sitko (353) and Jeff Arend (351).

Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos by Phil Hutchison – Marc Gewertz – Les Puchala