Some details and thoughts from Canadian-born Funny Car class racers – from NHRA 4-Wide Nationals event…

JEFF AREND — The 4-Wide Nationals marked a return to the drivers cockpit for Jeff Arend into the Jim Dunn Racing (Mooneyes) race car.

Together, the initial event results produced encouraging progression – including Jim Dunn Racing’s highest qualifying position of the 2026 season – 13th (4.080 secs).

Jeff was eliminated following Quad Round 1 on Sunday. His competitive 4.100 ET at 309.06 mph, lost to J.R. Todd in first (3.896 ET at 335.32 mph), Alexis DeJoria in second (3.962 ET at 324.36 mph), and Hunter Green in third (4.005 ET at 320.89 mph).

The NHRA will be racing back-to-back weekends with a thrilling debut next weekend at South Georgia Motorsports Park for the 41st annual NHRA Southern Nationals. The historic Southern Nationals returns to a new location during the NHRA’s milestone 75th anniversary campaign. It marks the first of four visits to new facilities for the NHRA in 2026.

Arend will be back behind the wheel of the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car in Georgia and also in Chicago May 14-17 for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK.

“I’m proud of the effort and progress this Jim Dunn Racing Mooneyes team showed this weekend,” Jeff said. “We were able to run consistent without hurting any race car parts. Thank you to all the fans that came out to support us in Charlotte. It was great being back behind the wheel. I think we kept J.R. (Todd), Alexis (DeJoria), and Hunter (Green) honest during eliminations too — we will step up our game in Georgia and Chicago.”

SPENCER HYDE — Spencer Hyde, Funny Car driver of the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car, continued to build a rhythm in his sophomore season at the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, qualifying ninth in a stacked 16-car field and gaining valuable data despite an early loss on race day. 

Hyde delivered a strong 3.981 second pass at 319.67 mph during Friday qualifying to secure his position. He also picked up two bonus points with that pass, since it was the second-quickest run of the qualifying session. 

The weekend carried added meaning, as Jim and Janet Russell of The Caine Group stepped in as primary sponsors with a special livery to honour their late son, Caine, whose passion for racing continues to inspire. Hyde, the only full-time Canadian professional racer on the NHRA tour, emphasized his appreciation for the weekend’s meaningful partnership. 

“Having The Caine Group on board as our main sponsor this weekend meant a lot to all of us,” said Hyde. “Jim and Janet Russell’s son was a very special guy, and we were proud to carry his name on our car. We wish we could’ve gone more rounds for them, but we’ll keep pushing to make them proud the rest of the season.” 

On race day, Hyde faced a formidable opening-round quad that included No. 1 qualifier and three-time world champion Ron Capps, No. 8 qualifier and recent Gainesville winner Chad Green, and two-time reigning world champion Austin Prock.

Hyde’s run was cut short by traction issues, preventing advancement to the next round. Capps went on to win the race.  Hyde and the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car will be back in competition next weekend at the NHRA Southern Nationals on May 1-3 at South Georgia Motorsports Park.

Posted with files by Elon Werner and Ashley Wilson
Photos courtesy of Auto Imagery & Creative Experts