Drag racing icon and present-day team owner Connie Kalitta will be bringing back his team's DHL Funny Car to the NHRA national circuit with former Toronto native Jeff Arend driving.

Kalitta, whose son Scott was killed earlier this summer in a tragic racing accident, chose Arend for his experience and compatibility with the team in replacing Scott to drive the car.

"We wanted to put someone in the car with experience and someone who would appreciate the opportunity and would fit in with our team personality-wise. We found that in Jeff," Kalitta said. "We had plenty of candidates for the position, but Jeff most possesses the qualities we are looking for."

Arend is a familiar name in local racing circles. After working with Barrie's Al Billes, Arend started driving Funny Cars and in 1994 obtained his fuel license. He drove for Paul Smith in 1995-96, and recorded his sole NHRA event victory at Reading in '96. He then worked in Pomona for another former Canadian, London's Frank Hawley, at Hawley's drag racing school. When Hawley pulled out of California, Arend stayed, and drove a bit until 2004 when he acquired big sponsorship from Urban Casavant and CMKM Diamonds. It was during this time he ran his career-best of a 4.844-second pass and also recorded a 320.36-m.p.h. speed for the quarter-mile.

Arend, 45, also drove with Worsham Racing team in 2007, and is certainly experienced for the new position. But, he says, he realizes it has been an emotional time for all on the team.

"Since being told that I'm going to be the new driver, I have gone through many emotions," Arend said. "... however, I am truly honoured to be in this position.

"Indeed, it will always be Scott's car. I am just the newest member to be added to the DHL Funny Car team, and I will do my best to accomplish what Scott and Connie started out to do, and that is having a consistent, competitive, and safe race car capable of going rounds and winning races."

Arend is expected to make his debut at the NHRA's U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, Aug. 27.

* * *

After a somewhat slow start, Grimsby's Jim Lapcevich has gotten back on track in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

In a recent Mosport oval track race, the Tim Hortons Chevy driver started 20th in the 21-car field, drove a good race and stayed out of trouble and placed eighth. The Hamilton-based Fastline Motorsports team is off to the 1.53-mile street course of Trois-Rivieres, Que., on the weekend for the next event in the stock car series, where last year Lapcevich placed fifth after starting 15th.

* * *

WEEKEND WINNERS: After starting 11th, veteran dirt driver Pete Bicknell captured the 50-lap Lucas Oil 358 Modified Shootout recently at Ohsweken Speedway. Bill Bleich, of Port Robinson, was second, and Grimsby's Travis Cunningham third ... Cayuga Dragway will be a busy facility on the weekend with the Canadian Streetcar Nationals in conjunction with OSCA. For more info, call 905-772-0303 ... The ISMA 75, at Mansfield, Ohio, was won by a familiar face (Chris Perley), but London's Mark Sammut took second in the Super Modified race, and Dave McKnight of Brampton fifth.

Tim Miller is a longtime motorsports writer and author of several books on the sport