There has been no more popular win this year. When Jeff Arend, driving the DHL Funny Car owned by Connie Kalitta, crossed the line to win the NHRA Midsouth Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park everyone at the starting line celebrated.

This was more than just a win for Arend, the second of his career and his first in the past 13 years. This win was for Connie Kalitta and the memory of his fallen son, Scott.

Arend has never tried to fill Scott's shoes. The Toronto, Ontario, Canada native who has been a long time resident of San Dimas, Calif., has been trying to do the best job he could while the team struggled to find it's footing.

There has been no more popular win this year. When Jeff Arend, driving the DHL Funny Car owned by Connie Kalitta, crossed the line to win the NHRA Midsouth Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park everyone at the starting line celebrated.

This was more than just a win for Arend, the second of his career and his first in the past 13 years. This win was for Connie Kalitta and the memory of his fallen son, Scott.

Arend has never tried to fill Scott's shoes. The Toronto, Ontario, Canada native who has been a long time resident of San Dimas, Calif., has been trying to do the best job he could while the team struggled to find it's footing.

On this day, they stood talk and proud through four rounds of tough racing.  Arend bested Jack Beckman in round one, John Force in the second round, Ashley Force Hood in the semi's and then cruised to an easy final round win over Tony Pedregon. Pedregon smoked the tires at the first hit of the throttle and never challenged Arend's 4.091, 310.14 mph charge.

“Everybody had tears in their eyes,” said Arend. “Me included. I know how big this is for Connie because Connie obviously continued to run this car after going through the ultimate tragedy. The reason he did it was he thought he could have a competitive Funny Car. That is what he and Scott believed they could do and I think we proved it today.”

Ironically, Arend's only other victory came against Tony Pedregon, 13 years ago at Maple Grove Motorsports Park. And, Scott Kalitta's last final round appearance – also against Pedregon in Chicago.

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