Jeff Arend
KGC Construction Funny Car Driver for Jim Dunn Racing
MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge
Oct. 30-Nov. 1 | Las Vegas
Event Overview
Friday, Oct. 30 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
Nitro qualifying session (Q1): 2 p.m. PDT/5 p.m. EDT
Nitro qualifying session (Q2): 4:30 p.m. PDT/7:30 p.m. EDT
Saturday, Oct. 31 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
Nitro qualifying session (Q3): 12 p.m. PDT/3 p.m. EDT
Nitro qualifying session (Q4): 2:30 p.m. PDT/5:30 p.m. EDT
Sunday, Nov. 1 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
Round 1: 11 a.m. PDT/2 p.m. EDT
Round 2: 1:20 p.m. PDT/4:20 p.m. EDT
Semifinals: 3:15 p.m. PDT/6:15 p.m. EDT
Finals: 4:40 p.m. PDT/7:40 p.m. EDT
TV coverage on FS1
Sunday, Nov. 1: Qualifying show recapping the action from Friday and Saturday (3 p.m. EDT)
Sunday, Nov. 1: Finals show (5 p.m. EDT)
Notes of Interest
The MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas is the 19th race on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ 20-race schedule and it is the fifth round in the six-race Countdown to the Championship. Jim Dunn Racing brings its one full-time entry in Funny Car for Jeff Arend. A native of Canada, Arend moved to Southern California in 1997.
As the NHRA celebrates its landmark 75th season in 2026, Jim Dunn Racing is celebrating 76 years of success in drag racing. Jim started drag racing when he was 15 years old and at 92 years old, he plans to keep going as long as he can. In 2024, Jim received the NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award. He has won some of the sport’s most significant races and has provided driving opportunities for some of the biggest names in the sport.
Coming into Las Vegas, Arend is 15th in the Funny Car standings, 2195 points behind leader Matt Hagan.
KGC (Kindness General Contractors) Construction is the primary partner of Arend this weekend in Las Vegas. KGC, is a full service general contracting firm designed to manage and facilitate a complete range of construction projects. They are responsible for a diversified portfolio of projects with a wide range of construction value and provide customers with what is most important to them: short schedules, unmatched quality and superior flexibility. At KGC, they understand that every project, regardless of size, requires a commitment to quality, attention to detail, and the ability to act and react with speed, efficiency and intelligence. They strive to provide a hassle-free experience to all their clients and look to form lasting partnerships built on mutual respect and trust.
Gateway Classic Cars and Crow Safety Gear will adorn Arend’s Funny Car as associate partners in Las Vegas. Gateway Classic Cars works every day to give classic car enthusiasts around the world the opportunity to get behind the wheel of their dream cars. Embracing the spectrum of all types of classic cars, their inventory has thousands of classic cars and trucks to fit any passion. Gateway is the World’s Largest Classic/Exotic Car Dealership since 1999. They have 14 locations around the United States. Crow Safety Gear makes racing harness and driver restraint systems with both safety and durability in mind. Whether you need a 5-point harness for your Jr. Dragster, or a neck collar for your helmet, Crow Safety Gear has you covered. It also makes full racing suits, gloves, window nets, and more to keep you safe and in-spec within your racing class. You can select from harnesses with a standard latch, duck bill latch, or an innovative Kam Lock system.
The NHRA Las Vegas Nationals will mark Arend’s 263rd career Funny Car appearance, and his 30th overall appearance at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Arend has made more appearances at Las Vegas than any other track except In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. He has raced 29 times at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, four times in his previous association with Jim Dunn Racing. With Jim Dunn Racing, Arend qualified for both Vegas events in 2013 and 2014, posting a 1-3 record. He last raced at The Strip in 2023, failing to qualify for the now defunct spring race.
This will be the 41st Las Vegas appearance for Jim Dunn Racing. The team’s best result came in the spring race in 2005 in which driver Tony Bartone reached the final round before losing to Whit Bazemore.
Jim Dunn Racing is still seeking its first win in a Countdown race although Arend independently won a playoff event in 2009 when, after qualifying only 15th, he beat Jack Beckman, John Force, Ashley Force Hood and Tony Pedregon to win at Memphis, Tenn.
Jeff Arend, Driver of the Jim Dunn Racing KGC Construction Funny Car
The weather for Las Vegas looks ideal and it’s known for being a great racing surface. What are your goals for the weekend as the NHRA looks to wrap up the season with two races to go?
“With the weather looking great and Las Vegas known for having an excellent racing surface, we’re looking forward to a strong weekend. Our goal is to make consistent, competitive runs, keep improving with every pass, and give our sponsors and fans something to be proud of. With only two races left in the NHRA season, every run counts, and we want to finish the season strong. The Jim Dunn Racing team is bringing two special-edition cars to close out the season, and we’re excited to get out there, put on a good show, and make the most of both weekends!”
