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Jim Dunn Racing Event Preview; Texas NHRA FallNationals

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Jeff Arend
Solid Start/True Brand Funny Car Driver for Jim Dunn Racing
Texas NHRA FallNationals
Oct. 16-18 | Ennis, Texas

Event Overview

Friday, Oct. 16 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

  • Nitro qualifying session (Q1): 5:15 p.m. CDT/6:15 p.m. EDT
  • Nitro qualifying session (Q2): 8 p.m. CDT/9 p.m. EDT

Saturday, Oct. 17 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

  • Nitro qualifying session (Q3): 12 p.m. CDT/1 p.m. EDT
  • Nitro qualifying session (Q4): 2:30 p.m. CDT/3:30 p.m. EDT

Sunday, Oct. 18 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

  • Round 1: 12 p.m. CDT/1 p.m. EDT
  • Round 2: 2:30 p.m. CDT/3:30 p.m. EDT
  • Semifinals: 4 p.m. CDT/5 p.m. EDT
  • Finals: 5:15 p.m. CDT/6:15 p.m. EDT

TV coverage on FS1

  • Sunday, Oct. 18: Qualifying show recapping the action from Friday and Saturday (2 p.m. EDT)
  • Sunday, Oct. 18: Finals show (4 p.m. EDT) 

Notes of Interest

  • The Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex near Dallas is the 18th race on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ 20-race schedule and it is the fourth 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.
  • Arend returns to the seat in Dallas after the team sat out the last three NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events.
  • Since last competing at the NHRA’s Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Jim Dunn was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame’s 2026 Pioneers of Speed on October 1 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • Coming into Dallas, Arend is 14th in the Funny Car standings, 2104 points behind leader Matt Hagan.  
  • Solid Start/True Brand the primary partner of Arend this weekend in Dallas. They are a women-owned, family-operated automotive additives manufacturer based in Lakeland, Florida. Founded in 2010 and built upon an automotive additives legacy dating back to 1976, the company produces a full line of performance-driven products designed to enhance engine performance and extend equipment life. Known for innovation, quality, and purpose-driven partnerships, Solid Start/True Brand proudly supports initiatives that strengthen families and communities nationwide.
  • True Brand is honored to partner with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) to raise awareness and drive impact in the fight against breast cancer. NBCF is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women now through early detection, education, and support services. Founded in 1991 by breast cancer survivor Janelle Hail, NBCF provides free, life-saving breast cancer screenings and educational resources to women in need, empowering individuals and families with hope, knowledge, and access to care year-round.
  • Joining Solid Start/True Brand and the NBCF on Arend’s Funny Car at the Texas FallNationals is Fuel Juels. Fuel Juels fuel treatment is the only time-released fuel treatment in the world. Their patent-pending formula utilizes 3-Phase Brownian Motion Technology to activate minute, micro, and nano particles to create a time-released effect which allows Fuel Juels to restore fuel mileage and increase compression for up to 6,000 miles (approximately 12 tankfuls of fuel).
  • The Texas NHRA FallNationals will mark Arend’s 262nd career Funny Car appearance, and his 14th overall appearance in the Texas NHRA FallNationals. It marks his third Funny Car appearance on behalf of Jim Dunn Racing at Dallas. His previous appearances for the team came in 2013 and 2014.
  • Jim Dunn Racing won the 1986 FallNationals in their first outing at the track with Mike Dunn driving. The team has three other semifinal finishes in the Texas NHRA FallNationals – 1993 with Kenji Okazaki driving, 2005 with Tony Bartone in the harnesses and 2009 with Jerry Toliver at the wheel. 
  • Jim Dunn Racing is seeking its first win in a Countdown race although Arend independently won a playoff event in 2009 when, after qualifying 15th, he beat Jack Beckman, John Force, Ashley Force Hood and Tony Pedregon to win at Memphis, Tenn.
  •  In addition to the Motorplex, which opened in 1986, Jim Dunn twice raced in the NHRA Spring Nationals at the old Dallas International Motor Speedway in Lewisville (north of Dallas), losing in the first round in Top Fuel in 1970 and the same round in Funny Car a year later. 
  • October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.

  • Fans can join the stars of the NHRA on Thursday night for Fan Fest from 6:00-9:00 p.m. CDT. Drivers will be available for autographs from 7:00-8:30 p.m. CDT. The event will take place at Railyard Park (455 S. College St. Waxahachie, TX 75165).
  • Texas Motorplex is bringing back “Friday Night Live” at this year’s FallNationals, which offers more than $40,000 in bonus money to the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The low qualifier on Friday night in both Top Fuel and Funny Car will be awarded $15,000 each.

Jeff Arend, Driver of the Jim Dunn Racing Solid Start/True Brand Funny Car

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month. How special will it be getting to represent True Brand and the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) at the Texas NHRA FallNationals?
“I am looking forward to representing True Brand, Fuel Juels and the NBCF at the Dallas race in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This has a special meaning to my family and I, as both my mother and sister-in-law are breast cancer survivors. My wife does the annual 60-mile walk for breast cancer for the last 12 years. I can’t wait to hop back in the Jim Dunn Racing Dodge at the Texas FallNationals Stampede of Speed. It’s the fastest 10 days in Texas!”

– Jim Dunn Racing –