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Jim Dunn Racing Event Preview; Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals

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Jeff Arend
Blaze Exhaust Probes Funny Car Driver for Jim Dunn Racing
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals
June 25-28 | Norwalk, Ohio

Event Overview

Friday, June 26 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

  • Nitro qualifying session (Q1): 6 p.m. EDT
  • Nitro qualifying session (Q2): 8:30 p.m. EDT

Saturday, June 27 (Nitro Qualifying & Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

  • Nitro qualifying session (Q3) / Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge – Semifinals: 12 p.m. EDT
  • Nitro qualifying session (Q4) / Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge – Finals: 2:30 p.m. EDT

Sunday, June 28 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

  • Round 1: 11 a.m. EDT
  • Round 2: 2 p.m. EDT
  • Semifinals: 4 p.m. EDT
  • Finals: 5:25 p.m. EDT

TV coverage

  • Sunday, June 28: Qualifying show, recapping all of Friday and Saturday’s action (11 a.m. EDT on FS1)
  • Sunday, June 28: Finals show (5:30 p.m. EDT on FOX)

Notes of Interest

  • The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals is the 10th event on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ 20-race calendar in 2026. 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 Norwalk, Arend is 15th in the Funny Car standings, 534 points behind leader Ron Capps.  
  • Blaze Exhaust Probes is the primary partner of Arend this weekend in Norwalk. Blaze Technical Services was founded in 1996 by Ralph and Candy Hickman in Northeast Ohio. They are a leading full-service temperature sensor manufacturer that offers solutions for even the most demanding applications. Their reputation for creating the most rugged industrial temperature sensors and high temperature thermocouple assemblies has made them a top choice in the industry. Being ISO 9001 certified since 2003 reflects their commitment to producing only the highest quality products, including their popular exhaust gas temperature probes and other industrial temperature sensors. They also specialize in high temperature thermocouple designs that perform reliably in extreme conditions, including High-temperature aerospace sensors and Soil temperature monitoring setups. They are dedicated to delivering quality products on time and at a fair price. Additionally, they document all products with CAD drawings to make future changes or reordering easy, and can provide certification on request. Their Blaze Technical Services temperature solutions are trusted by professionals across a wide range of industries.
  • In celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, Jim Dunn Racing will be running a special patriotic scheme at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.
  • The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals will mark Arend’s 258th career Funny Car appearance, and his seventh overall appearance in the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. It marks his third Funny Car appearance on behalf of Jim Dunn Racing at Summit Motorsports Park. His two previous appearances for the team came in 2013 and 2014. 
  • Jim Dunn Racing is pleased to welcome Crocodile Cloth as an associate partner for the remainder of the 2026 season. Crocodile Cloth was created for homeowners. For workers. For DIYers and crafters. For anyone who needs a better way to clean. Like many of you, they were fed up with wimpy wipes that didn’t get the job done. Most cleaning wipes on the market are too small and too delicate for tough cleaning jobs – so you end up using a lot of them. They wanted a disposable cleaning cloth that could tackle big, greasy, grimy messes without falling apart or leaving remnants and residues behind. A cloth that was gentle enough to use on skin, but tough enough to handle our dirtiest tasks. And so, Crocodile Cloth was born. Big enough for large spills, tough enough for caked-on grease, Crocodile Cloth makes cleaning any type of mess faster and easier.
  • Jim Dunn Racing will hosts guests from both Blaze Exhaust Probes and Crocodile Cloth at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. It will mark a home event for both Ohio-based companies.
  • Following the second qualifying session on Friday night, fans can catch a spectacular fireworks show at Summit Motorsports Park.  

Jeff Arend, Driver of the Jim Dunn Racing Blaze Exhaust Probes Funny Car

You’re representing Blaze Exhaust Probes for their first primary race of the season. Jim Dunn Racing has also welcomed Crocodile Cloth as an associate partner for the remainder of the 2026 season. The Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals will mark a home race for both Ohio-based companies, so how special will it be having their guests at the track?
“The Jim Dunn Racing team is looking forward to this weekend‘s race in Norwalk, Ohio. It has always been one of my favorite tracks. There’s great racing and fireworks! What an awesome way to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday. Also, a special thank you to the Bader family. They always put on one of the best events of the year. Representing Blaze Exhaust Probes in this special-edition themed car, and new associate sponsor with Crocodile Cloth at their home race is an amazing opportunity. The entire Jim Dunn Racing team is looking forward to meeting their guests as we host hospitality at AB Motorsports. We plan to put our best foot forward and make them proud!”

Photo credit: Auto Imagery

– Jim Dunn Racing –