Post-race report for Canadian funny car drivers Spencer Hyde and Jeff Arend…

Spencer Hyde, the Canadian driver of the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car, continued to build consistency this weekend at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK. The reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year made his best pass of the season during qualifying, earning him a solid No. 5 qualifying position in a stacked Funny Car field. 

“Three out of our four qualifying runs were handedly in the 3.9-second range, and when you can consistently make those quick A-to-B runs, that gives both the driver and team a lot of confidence,” said Hyde. “Now that we’re seeing more consistency, I’m hoping more personal bests will also be around the corner.”

Spencer Hyde and the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car team leave Chicago with good data and some momentum.

Hyde’s best pass of the weekend came during the third round of qualifying, a 3.930 second, 329.26 mph pass that was the quickest of the session, earning him three valuable bonus points. This run was also both the quickest and fastest of his 2026 season thus far.  The Chicago area race is the sixth of the season and is the beginning of summer racing.

In the first round, Hyde was up against No. 12 qualifier Alexis DeJoria, a driver he had a 2-1 record against in previous eliminations. “Unfortunately we overpowered the track with the tune up, and Alexis was able to get the best of me — even though I left on her,” Spencer added.

Hyde and the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car will be back in competition in two weeks at the NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS on May 29-31 at Maryland International Raceway.

@Chicago Jeff Arend had his 4th start of 2026 driving the Jim Dunn Racing (Moon Equipped-sponsored) Funny Car.

Arend’s team ran well in qualifying – recording a best of time of 4.045 secs which landed him #14 for the starting grid on Sunday. Arend faced defending NHRA World Champion Austin Prock in round one – but was eliminated when tire spin set in.

“Chicago was another good weekend for Jim Dunn Racing and the Moon Equipped sponsored Funny Car,” Jeff said. “We had an overwhelming response from the fans looking for our Moon Gear — apparel which is recognised worldwide. The car is continuing with consistent performance and we are confident that we will be turning on win lights soon.”

Reaffirmation came at the event too that Jeff Arend will retain the driver’s position for the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car — for the remainder of the 2026 season.

“The next race for us will be in New Hampshire,” he added. “We’re putting two new bodies in the trailer that will both be representing America’s 250th Anniversary along with their primary sponsors.”

Posted with files by Elon Werner – Ashley Wilson – Bruce Biegler
Photos by Dave Ostaszewski