Jeff Arend drove his blue Checker, Schuck’s, Kragen Impala to a stout 4.781-second lap, at 324.90 mph (top speed in the Funny Car class) to end the first day of qualifying in the No. 1 position. It marked the fourth time this season that Arend has finished a particular day in the top spot. He led all three days in Indy (finishing on the pole there) and leads after one day here in Pomona.
“This is the last race for the blue Checker, Schuck’s, Kragen car, so it’s kind of melancholy around here, I guess, ” Arend said. “The guys are professional, and they all have a lot of pride, so they’re obviously doing the work and doing it very well, but it’s hard to jump up and down and get too excited when you know it’s over in a few days. Still, it’s always a thrill to go up to the Media Center and get interviewed at the end of the day. It’s an honor, and a whole bunch of other cars had the same shot at it as we did, but we finished the day at the top of the list.
“We’re pursuing things for next year, but you know we’re behind the 8-ball with the timing, trying to find a lot of money in a very short period of time, and the odds are pretty stacked that you’re not going to find a company with that kind of 2008 budget just sitting around doing nothing. If there was ever a good way to advertise our services, though, qualifying number one and winning the race would be it. All we can do is keep running hard, and maybe some good things will happen. If not, it’s still a heck of a way to go out. ”
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