Arana Racing: 2016

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Lucas Oil Racing TV's Hector Arana Jr. ends season with semifinal in Pomona

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 13) - Lucas Oil Racing TV racer Hector Arana Jr. closed out the 2016 season with a semifinal appearance in the Auto Club NHRA Finals on Sunday at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

And Arana Jr. will be a new man when the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season begins next March, as he'll marry Nicole Nobile on Dec. 10.

"We finished out on a good note," Arana Jr. said. "I got the bike working well in the third qualifying session Saturday, and we ran well today. I learned a lot this year as far as tuning the bike, and I'm excited to start my career as a new married man. I think she will be cracking the whip, so I'll go even better."

Arana Jr. qualified No. 3 and dispatched No. 14 qualifier Freddie Camarena in the first round Sunday. Arana Jr.'s pass of 6.899 seconds at 194.86 mph was more than enough to beat Camarena's 6.977-second run at 192.69 mph.

Arana Jr. then got a pass to the semifinals when Chip Ellis couldn't make the call in the second round. Ellis had lost his brakes and put his Pro Stock Motorcycle in the sandtrap and netting at the top end of the track, and the damage was enough to keep him from racing Arana Jr.

Arana Jr's winning pass was 6.945 seconds at 191.59 mph, setting up his third semifinal appearance of the season. There, he ran into eventual race winner Matt Smith, who left first with a stellar .018-second reaction time. Smith's pass of 6.946 seconds at 192.44 mph got the victory as Arana Jr. slowed to a run of 7.569 seconds at 134.10 mph.

"It's been a long season," Arana Jr. said. "Although when you here and you look back, you're like, 'Man, the season's done already.' We all put in a lot of hard work and tried everything we could to try and get our motors back to where they were.

"We are working on things and I believe that we should have everything resolved come next year."

Lucas Oil Racing TV is the first streaming TV network dedicated solely to the world of motorsports - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The new network is the world's premier motorsports destination. Programming includes live and pre-taped racing, expanded pre- and post-race action, behind-the-scenes content, unseen interviews, automobile build shows, and an extensive library of national and international motorsports content. The app is available through www.LucasOilRacing.TV for viewing on smartphones and tablets, as well as Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Android Tablets, and Roku. Subscriptions are $59.99 with a one-year agreement, or $6.99 a month for a pay-as-you-go plan. Sign-ups are available now on www.LucasOilRacing.TV.

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Saturday, November 12, 2016

Hector Arana Jr. wants to close 2016 with a victory in Pomona

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 12) - Lucas Oil Racing TV superstar Hector Arana Jr. put himself in the middle of the Pro Stock Motorcycle championship hunt by qualifying in the No. 3 spot for the 52nd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals Saturday at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Arana Jr. isn't in the championship battle himself, but contenders Jerry Savoie, Eddie Krawiec and Andrew Hines may have to get around Arana if they want to win the 2016 title.

But Arana Jr. isn't worried about that in the slightest. He wants to get a victory for himself, his race team and his sponsors.

"I think Jerry and I should be on opposite sides of the ladder, but I'm not even looking at that," Arana Jr. said. "I want to win this race, too, and whatever happens, happens."

Arana Jr. made a top qualifying run of 6.856 seconds at 195.51 mph and will square off with Freddie Camarena in the first round. Camarena qualified No. 14 with a run of 6.916 seconds at 195.39 mph. No. 2 qualifier Krawiec is on Arana's side of the ladder, but that potential matchup wouldn't happen until the semifinals. Arana Jr., too, is simply focused on one round at a time.

The No. 3 qualifying spot is Arana Jr.'s best since Brainerd, where he was No. 3 and raced to the semifinals. He's confident in his bike for Sunday.

"I really learned a lot this year as far as tuning the bike," Arana Jr. said. "Unfortunately we are a little down on power from what we have had in previous years, so it made me learn to the tune the bike better to try to get everything out of the bike and go as fast as we can and compete. I feel like it has made me a better driver and a better tuner.

"I'm just excited for tomorrow. We still have one more race and I'm not giving up until it's over. I'm looking forward to next year from everything I learned this year and hopefully we fix the power issues and go from there."

Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will air elimination action live from 1-4 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in PT).

Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products is the world leader of high-performance lubricants and problem-solving additives and produces and markets more than 270 unique formulations in more than 40 countries. Products include engine oils, greases, gear lubes, problem-solving additives, and car-care products. Please visit LucasOil.com for more information.

Please visit www.LucasOil.com and www.GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Top speed has Lucas Oil pro Hector Arana Sr. excited for Pomona eliminations

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 12) - There is not a faster Pro Stock Motorcycle on the property for the Auto Club NHRA Finals this weekend at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona than the Lucas Oil Buell of Hector Arana Sr.

Not No. 1 qualifier Jerry Savoie, not championship contenders Eddie Krawiec nor Andrew Hines. Nope, the top speed of the weekend belongs to Arana Sr. His pass of 6.870 at a whopping 196.82 mph has him in the No. 7 spot for final eliminations, and that speed has him confident for a good showing.

"I feel pretty good about my chances tomorrow," Arana Sr. said. "We started good and the power is there. The bike is running awesome right now."

Arana Sr. starts eliminations against Matt Smith, who qualified No. 10 with a pass of 6.889 seconds at 193.93 mph. Arana Jr. is confident he can do better than he's shown in qualifying.

"I'm just struggling with leaving the starting line," Arana Sr. said. "I don't know if it's a bad tire, or a bad switch, but the rpm is also getting away from me. I have to take a close look at the one thing that didn't respond, and I'll just have to do something else. If it leaves strong tomorrow, it's going to be even faster."

Savoie, Krawiec and Hines are all fighting for the championship in the final race of the season, and a potential second-round matchup looms with Krawiec. But Arana Sr. isn't worried about anyone else but himself and son Hector Arana Jr., who is qualified No. 3.

"I know they are going for the championship," Arana Sr. said. "They're good friends, and I wish for all of them the best, and may the best one win. But I still want to win, so I'm going to do my job because I want to keep going on and we need a win. We need a win to boost us up even more for going on to the next year."

Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will air elimination action live from 1-4 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in PT).

Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products is the world leader of high-performance lubricants and problem-solving additives and produces and markets more than 270 unique formulations in more than 40 countries. Products include engine oils, greases, gear lubes, problem-solving additives, and car-care products. Please visit LucasOil.com for more information.

Please visit www.LucasOil.com and www.GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Victory in finale is all the motivation Lucas Oil's Hector Arana Sr. needs

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 8) – Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Hector Arana Sr. is trending in the right direction heading into the final race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, the 52nd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals, to be held this weekend at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Arana has mostly struggled in the Countdown to the Championship, the six-race segment of the season that determines the Pro Stock Motorcycle champion. But Arana turned things around in Las Vegas, as he qualified No. 6 – his best since the second race of the season.

Plus, son Hector Arana Jr. qualified No. 7 in Las Vegas, and the two good performances lifted the spirits of the entire Arana Racing team.

"I definitely feel positive going into Pomona," Arana Sr. said. "We qualified sixth and seventh at Las Vegas, and it was the boost that we needed, especially at the end of the year with us going into the last race of the season."

The 16-race Pro Stock Motorcycle season can be a grind, especially for a team owner/rider like Arana Sr. He works in the shop all week, building engines and preparing the race bikes, and then helps drives the team hauler to and from races. Days off are rare.

"Truthfully, I'm worn out and I needed something like what we did in Vegas to give me a burst of energy," Arana Sr. said. "Now I am looking forward to going to Pomona so we can do well and hopefully we can go more than just a couple of rounds in eliminations."

Arana Sr. raced to the final round of the first race of the season, in Gainesville, Fla., and another final-round appearance – or a victory – would be a great bookend to the season.

"It's exactly what the team needs right now so we can get the motivation to keep on working through the winter," Arana Sr. said. "Don't get me wrong, it doesn't mean that I'm going to stop or that I'm not going to do anything. I'm just as hungry. I want to keep working, but to have something like a win happen, it just boosts you up and it would make my trip home shorter."

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions will run at 12 and 3 p.m., on both Friday and Saturday. Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action from 8:30-9:30 p.m., Friday. Eliminations will air live from 1-4 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in PT).

Lucas Oil Racing TV's Hector Arana Jr. races for final time as a bachelor

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 8) – The 52nd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals this weekend at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona will be a milestone for Lucas Oil Racing TV racer Hector Arana Jr.

Not only is this the final race of the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, but it's also the final time Arana Jr. will be racing as a bachelor.

Arana Jr., 27, is getting married Dec. 10 in New York to fiancé Nicole Nobile.

"It's my last race as an unmarried guy and that's exciting," Arana Jr. said. "I'm super thrilled to be getting married. I'm marrying my best friend, Nicole Nobile. She won't be Nicole Nobile for long though -- she'll be Nicole Arana soon -- but she'll also always be a Nobile, and I love her for that. I'm excited that my family is growing. I can't wait."

First things first, as Arana Jr. will be looking to take some late-season momentum to Pomona. After a tough start to the Countdown to the Championship, Arana Jr. has qualified seventh or better in each of the last three races, racing to the quarterfinals at the last stop in Las Vegas. Plus, Arana Jr. shook off some red-light blues that had plagued him this season.

Closing out the year with a solid performance in Pomona is his primary goal, and Arana Jr. hopes to score his first victory of the season, too.

"It would be awesome to be able to get a race win for the year, to go out on top and give everybody a little preview of what we have for next year," Arana Jr. said. "I feel really good about next year. I'm excited. I'm also excited for what Pomona holds for us. Like I said, I feel like I'm 100 percent confident that I got over the hump as far as my riding goes. I'm ready.

"Lucas Oil, who has sponsored me my whole career and my dad also, they have a big office in Corona so it's a big race for them as well because a lot of the employees come out and cheer for us. There's always a good vibe in Pomona and I want to add to that feeling."

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Vegas a "turnaround" race for Lucas Oil Racing TV's Hector Arana Jr.

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 30) - Lucas Oil Racing TV racer Hector Arana Jr. has had an un-Arana Jr.-like season in 2016, but he was back to normal at the NHRA Toyota Nationals this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Arana Jr. rode well during eliminations Sunday, cutting two good lights and leaving first on both competitors he faced.

"This weekend was a big turnaround weekend for me," Arana Jr. said. "I felt really good today as a rider, calm and relaxed. I got back in my groove. I felt like I did when I was winning races back-to-back. I was really calm and focused, took my time on the starting line and I felt like I did a really good job out there today: .013 first round, .024 second round, left on both opponents."

His dad, Lucas Oil Buell racer Hector Arana Sr., didn't fare as well, losing in the first round to Angie Smith.

Arana Jr. sits 10th in the Pro Stock Motorcycle points standings after a tough season, but he rebounded well in Vegas, qualifying No. 7 and racing to the second round. He beat Karen Stoffer in the first round with a .013-second reaction time and a 6.995-second pass at 192.36 mph. Stoffer trailed with a pass of 7.035 seconds at 191.65 mph.

Arana Jr. faced No. 2 qualifier Eddie Krawiec in the second round and left first again, with an .024 light. But Arana's pass of 7.027 seconds at 191.16 mph wasn't enough to hold off Krawiec's 6.948-second run at 193.18 mph.

"Unfortunately we slowed down," Arana Jr. said. "We are going to go through the motor and try to figure out why because nothing shows a definite reason for it to slow down, so we have to look into the motor because it slowed down quite a bit in the middle. Hopefully we will get all of that figured out, and we'll have one more shot at Pomona."

Arana Sr. didn't have the same kind of luck as his son, as the No. 6 qualifier lost on a holeshot in the first round. Arana made a solid pass, 6.968 seconds at 192.77 mph, but he couldn't catch Smith's slower 7.052-second run at 187.86 mph.

The reason Smith's .021 light was way ahead of Arana Sr.'s .116-second reaction time?

"You hear that hesitation?" Arana Sr. said after a slight pause. "That's what happened in my brain. It was slow and I had a bad reaction so she sent me home. But the bike ran good. I made a small change and it responded to that change so I'm going to keep playing that direction and see if we can pick up the pace for Pomona."

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Top-half qualifying spot has Lucas Oil Racing TV's Hector Arana Jr. pumped for Vegas eliminations

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 29) -The last three times Lucas Oil Racing TV racer Hector Arana Jr. qualified in the top half of the field - and didn't have to face his dad in the first round - he went to final once and the semifinals twice.

Arana Jr. qualified No. 7 for the NHRA Toyota Nationals this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway - and he won't have to race his dad, Hector Arana Sr., in the first round.

"The bike is good," Arana Jr. said. "We were consistent, and with the exception of those couple of guys that were really, really fast, we were right there. We were consistent and able to get everything out of the bike I feel. Tomorrow, we'll just do the best that we can and see what happens."

Arana Jr. qualified No. 5 at the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis and raced to the final round. He was No. 3 in Brainerd, Minn., and made it to the semifinals, and was No. 7 at Sonoma, Calif., where he also made the semis.

The 2016 season has been un-Arana Jr.-like, as his streak of five consecutive seasons in the top five of the final points standings appears to be coming to an end. He vowed to use Vegas and the season-finale in Pomona, Calif., as test sessions for 2017, and things seem to be going well.

"I tried a couple of things and we were able to stay pretty consistent," Arana Jr. said. "Now we know what the bike likes and doesn't like, that's for sure. Hopefully we can find something for Pomona but right now, we are just going to focus on the rest of Las Vegas and go one round at a time."

Arana Jr. starts with No. 11 qualifier Karen Stoffer, whose best pass was 6.991 seconds at 191.67 mph. Arana Jr.'s top run was 6.979 seconds at 191.08 mph.

Pro Stock eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast the action live from 4-7 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

Bright smile for Lucas Oil's Hector Arana Sr. shows his confidence in Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 29) - Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Hector Arana Sr. often wears a smile on his face, as no one enjoys racing in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series as much as the 2009 series champion.

But his smile was especially bright during the NHRA Toyota Nationals this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, as his Lucas Oil Buell has performed about as well as it has all season.

Arana Sr. qualified No. 6, his best performance since the second race of the season in Charlotte, where he was also No. 6. His pass of 6.974 seconds at 192.06 mph came in the third qualifying session, on Saturday, and will put him against No. 11 qualifier Angie Smith in final eliminations.

"I'm feeling great going into tomorrow," Arana Sr. said with a smile. "Pretty much better than I have all this year."

Arana Sr. was in the top seven in each of the first three qualifying sessions, showing speed and consistency with his Lucas Oil bike.

"We were consistent, and for Q4, I tried something different to see what it was going to do," Arana Sr. said. "I needed to know either way, because that way we don't have to worry about it tomorrow. Overall, I'm happy with the way we ran this weekend."

It started with good runs in the first two qualifying sessions on Friday, where Arana Sr. was fourth and seventh, respectively. With a fast bike, Arana Sr. had the confidence to continue working to get better, knowing he had made a good start.

"Getting off to a fast start yesterday was definitely important," Arana Sr. said. "It gives you an opportunity now to be able to be able to tune, improve a little bit and then try something a little out of the ordinary."

Smith's best pass of the weekend was 7.003 seconds at 187.29 mph. Arana Sr.'s slowest pass, by comparison, was 7.003 seconds at 191.67 mph in Q4.

Pro Stock eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast the action live from 4-7 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Lucas Oil's Hector Arana Sr. looking for answers in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 26) - Drag racing is Hector Arana Sr.'s lifeblood, and when the Lucas Oil Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle doesn't go as fast as he thinks it should, the 2009 series champion scratches his head while looking for answers.

Arana Sr. reached the Countdown to the Championship - the NHRA's version of the playoffs - for the eighth consecutive season in 2016. After a fast start to the year, Arana sat in the top five in points after six races.

But heading into the NHRA Toyota Nationals this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Arana Sr. isn't worried about where he is in the points standings and is instead trying to get his bike better.

"Right now, it has not been fun because we're not doing well," Arana Sr. said. "It's so hard to get into the spirit and enjoy. But we'll do the best we can."

Arana Sr. is one of the friendliest racers in NHRA, always taking time for fans, young and old. That part of his personality has not changed - and never will.

"Trust me, we love going to the races," Arana Sr. said. "We love participating with the fans and having a good time with them, just like we did one night in Dallas. We went back to the campground and we had a good time with the fans there. They appreciate that and we appreciate the fans.

"That's why I go over there because without the fans there's no show. It is more fun when you are doing great than the way we are doing right now."

Arana Sr. and his Arana Racing team usually participate in the Pro Stock Motorcycle tradition of wearing costumes during the final qualifying session in Vegas. But his mind has been elsewhere lately.

"Right now, that is my least concern," Arana Sr. said. "I don't even think about it and have not thought about it. All I can think about is why this is happening. Something is going on with the bike, and we'll keeping work in it until we figure it out. That's what matters most."

Pro Stock qualifying sessions will run at 11:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., Friday, and 11:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action live from 6-7 p.m., Friday and Sunday from 10-11 a.m. Eliminations will air live from 4-7 p.m., Sunday.
(All times listed in ET).

The 2017 season begins now for Lucas Oil Racing TV's Hector Arana Jr.

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 26) - For Lucas Oil Racing TV pro Hector Arana Jr., the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series has already begun, even though the official start to the Pro Stock Motorcycle portion of next year's schedule isn't until March.

Arana Jr. is treating the final two races of 2016, starting with the NHRA Toyota Nationals this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, as a test session.

"We're using the rest of this season for testing some different ideas and some things we normally wouldn't have done in the Countdown or at a race," Arana Jr. said. "But at this point, I'm going to test some new ideas and try some off-hand things that we normally would never try and see if we can learn some stuff for next year."

Arana Jr. has finished fifth or better in the final points standings in each of his five seasons as a professional racer. That streak will likely come to an end this year, as he's 10th in the Countdown to the Championship after a tough first four races to the Countdown.

"Unfortunately, it's been one of those years," Arana Jr. said. "We've been struggling, but I guess everybody goes through that. This is our year. Hopefully, we'll get all this out of our system, and we'll be good for next year."

Arana Jr. has won 11 races and 18 No. 1 qualifiers in his young career, so he knows the way to the winner's circle. A win is not out of the question in one of these final races, and Arana Jr. looks forward to competing.

"I'm not looking forward to the season being over because I love racing, so when it's over, I'm like, 'Now, we've got to wait,'" Arana Jr. said. "I'm looking forward to a new start. I'm excited for what's to come for next year because we're working on a lot of stuff, and we should be in good shape."

Pro Stock qualifying sessions will run at 11:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., Friday, and 11:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action live from 6-7 p.m., Friday and Sunday from 10-11 a.m. Eliminations will air live from 4-7 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Lucas Oil's Hector Arana Sr. finds it hard to celebrate Dallas win over son

DALLAS (Oct. 16) - Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Hector Arana Sr. takes no pride in improving to 5-1 against one of the best riders in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

Arana Sr. beat son Hector Arana Jr. in the first round of the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals Sunday at Texas Motorplex, winning for the fifth time in six first-round races this season against his talented son.

"Racing him again is not a good thing for me," Arana Sr. said. "But anyway, I have to put that to the side and I'm always going to give it my best shot. I'm here to win, just like he feels the same way. We don't cut slack to each other. We're going to run and the better bike is going to cross the finish line, or the better driver at that moment.

"For some reason this year we're just struggling, and we're just lining up against each other. That's not a good thing. It is what it is when the ladder happens. Nothing we can do but go for the best."

This time, it was father who mastered his son. Neither rider was sharp on the Christmas Tree, but Arana Jr.'s bike stumbled early, and Arana Sr. made a clean, winning pass of 6.879 seconds at 194.94 mph. Arana Jr. trailed with a run of 6.958 seconds at 193.85 mph.

"The same issue that got my dad in the second round got me in the first," Arana Jr. said. "We just don't understand why. We'll get it figured out, no doubt, but I wish we'd get it figured out sooner."

As Arana Jr. said, Arana Sr. struggled off the line against Eddie Krawiec in the second round, and his pass of 6.976 at 194.16 mph wasn't enough against Krawiec's 6.873-second run at 195.62 mph.

"We're puzzled because there's something happening here," Arana Sr. said. "I don't think it's just us. Some of the bikes with Buell are struggling same thing, with the 60-foot. It should not have gone to a bog at the start line. I have more rpm going in there and yet the bike bogged instead of taking off.

"That's the same thing that happened to Hector against me. We need to figure this thing out so we can start winning races again."

Hector Jr. (left) was bettered by his father, Hector Sr., once again Sunday.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Lucas Oil Racing TV's Hector Arana Jr. qualifies No. 6, races dad again

DALLAS (Oct. 15) - Lucas Oil Racing TV racer Hector Arana Jr. is taking a philosophical approach to another first-round matchup with his dad.

Arana Jr. qualified No. 6 for the AAA Texas FallNationals on Saturday at Texas Motorplex, and since his father Hector Arana Sr. qualified No. 11, they'll battle in the first round of eliminations for the sixth time in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

"You know what, I'm out here racing with my dad, my family's here, and I'm here doing what I love to do," Arana Jr. said. "I guarantee one of us goes to the second round. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, let's flip a coin and do our best job. May the best man move forward and hopefully win the race."

Arana Jr. has won only one of the previous five matchups against his dad, including a first-round loss at Reading, Pa., two weekends ago, but Arana Jr. isn't worried about his 1-4 record against his father.

"I don't even think about that," Arana Jr. said. "Let's see what happens. Hopefully I can change that."

Arana Jr. has had the better performing motorcycle this weekend, making a top pass of 6.863 seconds at 193.99 mph, while Arana Sr.'s best run was 6.905 seconds at 193.40 mph. Arana Jr. also carries some momentum, posting the fifth-best qualifying time in the final session 6.885 seconds at 194.83 mph.

"The Lucas bike is not bad," Arana Jr. said. "We're trying some different things. At this point we're kind of in a test mode. We want to do well, but unfortunately, we're still off a little bit. This whole season we're just doing what we can to be as fast as we've can with what we got."

Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast all of the elimination action live from 2-5 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

Lucas Oil's Hector Arana Sr. on first-round match with son: 'I would bet on Hector'

DALLAS (Oct. 15) - For the sixth time in this 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, father and son will square off in the first round.

Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Hector Arana Sr. qualified No. 11 Saturday, with son Hector Arana Jr. qualifying No. 6 for the AAA Texas FallNationals at Texas Motorplex. That means they'll race each other in the first round of eliminations Sunday. Again.

"I can't believe it," Arana Sr. said. "I guess this year it's Arana vs. Arana. It's a shame - but one thing is for sure, one of the Lucas Oil bikes is going to the second round, so I would bet on Hector."

Arana Sr. smiled, but didn't say which Hector he preferred. Arana Sr., however, is 4-1 against his son this season, including a victory over his son in the most recent race, in Reading, Pa. They qualified 5-12 that race and have also qualified 8-9 twice and 7-11 once before this year.

Arana Sr.'s top pass was 6.905 seconds at 193.40 mph, and his other three qualifying runs have been consistent.

"My bike is running OK," Arana Sr. said. "I'm trying to figure a couple of little things out, and if it works we are going to be fast. Not just on my bike, but also on Hector's. We focused in on that area and we're going to find it and we're going to be running strong up to the top like we used to. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, and we'll see what happens."

Arana Sr. believes he can run much faster if he can solve some issues early in his runs. Arana Sr.'s back-half times have been good, so if he can match that with his starts, Arana Sr. will be a contender Sunday.

"We are only struggling on the 60-foot and the 60- to the 330-foot," Arana Sr. said. "That's where we are struggling right now. We'll fix that and we are going to be running better."

Arana Jr.'s best pass was 6.863 at 193.99 mph.

Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast all of the elimina tion action live from 2-5 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Lucas Oil pro Hector Arana Sr. sets goals high for Dallas and beyond

DALLAS (Oct. 13) - There are three races left in the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, beginning with this weekend's 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals at Texas Motorplex, and Lucas Oil racer Hector Arana Sr. has a simple goal: Win them all.

"Hector (Arana Jr., son and teammate) and I have talked, and we know we've got three races left so we decided we want to make a statement," Arana Sr. said. "We're going to stay positive and go one run at a time and see if we can get to the finals and get a win or two or three.

"I am hungry for a win, and I really want to get a win. There are three left, so I want to see if I can go grab the three left. That's my goal, and I know Hector feels the same way."

Arana Sr. already has a victory in Dallas, winning there in 2009 in his Pro Stock Motorcycle championship season. He hasn't won this season, however, and sits eight in the points standings at the halfway point of the Countdown to the Championship. The Countdown is the six-race portion of the season that crowns the champion in NHRA's four professional classes.

Making some progress, Arana Sr. has raced to the second round in each of the last two races, beating his son in the first round at Reading two weeks ago. That was the fifth time in 2016 that father and son have battled in the first round, with father winning four of those.

Although Arana Sr. doesn't mind racing his son - it's bound to happen from time to time -- he wishes it took place in the final round, not the first. They've battled in the final round twice in their career, with Arana Jr. winning both times.

"It'd be nice in these last three races if it was Hector and I in the finals," Arana Sr. said. "I know we've faced each other a lot this year in the first round, but we've also raced in the finals two times in the past and those are much more fun. It would be awesome to do that again.

"Both of these Lucas Oil Buells are ready to go. We have the power and we have the experience to compete against anyone out here."

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4:15 and 7:15 p.m., Friday, and 12:45 and 3:45 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action live from 7:30-8:30 p.m., Friday. Eliminations will air live from 2-5 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

Pro Stock Motorcycle star Hector Arana Jr. working on personal improvement

DALLAS (Oct. 13) - Lucas Oil Racing TV racer Hector Arana Jr. spent the days before the AAA Texas NHRA Fallnationals this weekend at Texas Motorplex in quiet reflection.

No, Arana Jr. wasn't thinking about his stellar career, which includes 11 victories and finishing in the top five in the final Pro Stock Motorcycle points standings all five years he's been racing.

Instead, Arana was thinking about ways to get better.

"I feel really good," Arana Jr. said. "I've been going over the last few races, wondering what's been going on with me and these red lights. I feel like I've gotten over the red lights, and I feel really focused and ready to go racing this weekend."

Red lights have popped up a few times during Arana Jr.'s 2016 campaign, especially lately, and they've been difficult to explain.

"It's definitely a mental battle," Arana Jr. said. "I don't know if it's the pressure of the Countdown (to the Championship) and you feel like you need to catch up. It's not like I go in there thinking about red-lighting. I feel like I've been trying too hard and trying to prove myself too much.

"You've really got to be focused and relaxed when it comes to trying to cut a good light because you're dealing with thousandths of a second. It's a tough game at this level when you're trying to be good and cut good lights. I've got to relax, get back in the zone and be more focused."

Arana Jr.'s loss to his father, Hector Arana Sr., in the first round at Reading dropped him to 10th in the points standings after three races of the six-race Countdown. But Arana Jr. isn't worried about the standings at this point, preferring to focus on going one round at a time. He's performed well under pressure plenty of times in his career, and he knows he can repeat hi s previous success.

"I know I can do it," Arana Jr. said. "I know what I'm doing. I've been good in qualifying, and I've just got to go back to my old routine on race day."

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4:15 and 7:15 p.m., Friday, and 12:45 and 3:45 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action live from 7:30-8:30 p.m., Friday. Eliminations will air live from 2-5 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Father beats son in battle of Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle riders

READING, Pa. (Oct. 2) -- Lucas Oil rider Hector Arana Sr. improved to 4-1 this season against one of the top Pro Stock Motorcycle competitors in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Unfortunately, it's his son, Lucas Oil Racing TV rider Hector Arana Jr.

Father beat son in the opening round of the Dodge NHRA Nationals on Sunday at Maple Grove Raceway in the fifth first-round matchup between the Aranas in 2016, and if not for a broken oil-pump belt in the race in Charlotte, Arana Sr. could be 5-0 against his son.

"4-1: stinks for him, great for me, and the only win he has on me was due to a technicality, so it could have been 5-0, but we'll never know," Arana Sr. said. "Overall, it wasn't a bad weekend. Got to see my son, Adam. He came up from New York to support us and we at least went two rounds for him."

Adam Arana is a member of the United States Coast Guard, and he and his fiancée Jessica Outten drove to Maple Grove for the race. They watched father and son both drop the clutch too soon in the first round, but since Arana Jr.'s red-light came first, dad got the win. Officially, Arana Jr. went .056-second too soon, with Arana Sr. leaving. 045 early, but according to NHRA rules, the first red-light is the only one that counts.

"E1 was rough," Arana Jr. said. "Had to race my dad again, which was a bummer because we both want to progress forward in the points, and there are only three races left to do so. Each round really counts, so it sucks to have to race him. On the plus side, where it could have been a double negative and us both going out, at least one person got to proceed forward and gain some points."

Arana Sr. did move around his son into eighth in the standings at the halfway point of the six-race Countdown to the Championship.

Arana Sr. lost in the second round to eventual finalist Cory Reed, as Reed used a holeshot to get the victory. Arana made a pass of 6.899 seconds at 195.25 mph, but Reed's .028 light and run of 6.913 seconds at 188.73 mph was enough for him to move to the semifinals.

"The performance is there," Arana Sr. said. "We improved on the second round and we are going to look over the data and get ready for the next race. We'll have a weekend off to go to the shop and try to find some more power because those Harleys are really hauling the mail. We need to start to gain some ground on them and start to step up our level of performance."

Father beat son in the opening round of the Dodge NHRA Nationals on
Sunday at Maple Grove Raceway in the fifth first-round matchup
between the Aranas this season.

Please visit LucasOil.com and GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Reading brings all-Arana first round for fifth time in 2016 season

READING, Pa. (Oct. 1) -- For the fifth time this season, father and son will have to race each other in the first round of Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Hector Arana Jr. qualified his Lucas Oil Racing TV bike in the No. 5 spot, and father Hector Arana Sr. qualified his Lucas Oil Buell in the No. 12 position for the Dodge NHRA Nationals on Saturday at Maple Grove Raceway. That means they'll battle in the first round of eliminations Sunday.

"We'll both go up there and do the best we can," Arana Jr. said. "It's all we can do. It's frustrating, really frustrating, but it is what it is. At least we both qualified and one of us is in the second round. I'm not sure what to expect for tomorrow, but we'll do our best, and that's all we can do."

The first two scheduled rounds of qualifying were rained out Friday, and Arana Jr. made a solid pass of 6.880 seconds at 193.02 mph in the first session Saturday. The final session was rained out.

Arana Sr.'s bike hopped at the hit in his qualifying run, slowing his bike to a 7.175 at 194.91 mph. He would have loved to have had a second chance to improve his qualifying spot.

"Yes, I definitely hate to race my son," Arana Sr. said. "Look at the qualifying sheet. Trust me: I'm not the only one who wanted this (final) run. It is what it is. Tomorrow I'll do my job, Hector Jr, will do his, and we'll see what happens."

Father has beaten son in three of the previous four matches between the two this year, but Arana Jr. got the better of his dad in their most recent battle, in Charlotte. They do know they'll have one Arana Racing bike in the second round on Sunday.

"That's how it goes sometimes," Arana Sr. said. "We've been blessed before that this hasn't happened, but this year it seems to go in that direction. Nothing we can do. Let the better rider and bike tomorrow take the win. Keep taking the torch and hopefully we can move up in the standings with the Lucas Oil Pro Stock Bike."

Arana Jr. is seventh and his dad eighth in the standings after two races of the six-race Countdown to the Championship.

Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations start at 1 p.m., Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast the action live from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

Hector Arana Jr. qualified his Lucas Oil Racing TV bike in the No. 5 spot, and father Hector Arana Sr. qualified his Lucas Oil Buell in the No. 12 position for the Dodge NHRA Nationals.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Graybeard Hector Arana Sr. still as giddy as a kid when he thinks about Reading race

READING, Pa. (Sept. 27) -- World champion Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana Sr. maybe be one of the longest-tenured riders in the world's quickest and fastest two-wheel category of racing, but that doesn't stop the 58-year-old from acting like a kid at Christmas every time he rolls through the gates of Maple Grove Raceway, the site of this weekend's 32nd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals.

"Reading is an awesome place," the 2009 champ said. "I'm already looking to the weather, which is what we always do when Reading shows up on the schedule, and it looks like it's going to be one of those years where the track could be very, very fast.

"Mr. Weatherman says it's going to be in the low 70s and maybe even the 60s on Sunday, so it's going to be mineshaft conditions, which means quick e.t.s. I just hope we can get some of those low e.t.s out of our Lucas Oil Buells so we can get the boost we need to pump us up and give us a little more confidence down the stretch."

Arana runs a two-bike operation with his son Hector Jr. astride the second team bike. Both men are sponsored by Lucas Oil, a partnership that goes back many years.

The duo are also regulars in the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs, which continue this weekend in Reading. Arana currently is participating in his eighth straight playoff chase, and his son is running in his sixth consecutive Countdown.

"It's important for both of us to do well in the playoffs and bring as much glory as possible to Forrest and Charlotte Lucas and everyone else at Lucas Oil Products," Arana said. "They have supported us for so long, through all the ups and downs, and we love to give them Wally trophies because that's the best way to say thank you back to them.

"I'm liking our chances. Both bikes are running well and we feel like we have the ability to win any of the races we enter. I've been around a long time, and I don't think it's ever been tougher than it is right now in this class, but that makes it more challenging and more satisfying when you do well. Hopefully this weekend is a big one for us."

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1:30 and 4:30 p.m., Friday, and 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at 1 p.m., Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action live from 6 to 7 p.m., Friday. Eliminations will air live from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana Sr. is excited about the performance potential of his Buell at this weekend's 32nd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pa.

Another 'home race' has Lucas Oil pro Hector Arana Jr. pumped up to perform

READING, Pa. (Sept. 27) -- He may hail from Miami, but for the last year and a half, Hector Arana Jr. has called East Northport, Long Island, home, making this weekend's 32nd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals another "home race" for the established star in the drag racing's Pro Stock Motorcycle class.

"I really kind of have two home races now, Englishtown (N.J.) and Reading, so that gives me two chances to win in my backyard," said Arana, an 11-time national event winner. "I like that because we lived in Florida and I've won Gainesville before and we lived in Indiana and I won Indy also, so I want to win up here now that we live close by."

Arana already has tasted success in Reading, as he raced to the victory circle back in 2011, but he wasn't living in New York at the time. But all that changed when he got engaged to retired Pro Stock drag racer John Nobile's daughter, Nicole.

"I moved up here because Nicole is here, so naturally we want to spend as much time together as possible," Arana said. "Before, we spent most of our time together around the races, but that's tough because I was working on my bike most of the time. Now we're able to have a more normal life together. It's worked out well."

Like most racers on tour, Arana has been eying the forecast for the weekend and he likes what he's been seeing so far. Due to its location in the middle of Pennsylvania's bucolic Dutch Country, pure oxygen is in large supply in the picturesque valley where Maple Grove Raceway is located. The extra O2 gives the naturally-aspirated Pro Stock Motorcycles an additional boost of horsepower.

"If weather conditions are just right, we could see national records this weekend," Arana said. "We would really like to be in the mix to run those kinds of numbers. We have the power to do it; we just need to put it all together the right way.

"We've had a decent year and even got to the final round at Indy earlier this month but we want more. Reading would be a great place to win. I know I'd be happy to get it done."

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1:30 and 4:30 p.m., Friday, and 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at 1 p.m., Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action live from 6 to 7 p.m., Friday. Eliminations will air live from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

This weekend's 32nd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pa., is another "home race" for Lucas Oil Racing TV rider Hector Arana Jr.

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Hector Arana Sr. rides to quarterfinals; Hector Arana Jr. takes tough loss in round one in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS (Sept. 25) -- Hector Arana Sr., rider of the Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle, is fairly pleased with his weekend of racing in St. Louis even though he's a bit perplexed about the performance of his two-wheel racer on Sunday.

"It's throwing me for a curve," Arana said. "My tune-up is pretty good, the clutch combination is good, so I still can't put a finger on it why it's not running as fast as we did in Friday and Saturday qualifying. For some reason we are slowing down, and I don't quite know why yet."

Arana qualified in the top half of the 16-motorcycle field in the No. 7 position with a very good 6.880-second, 195.34-mph run. He defeated Karen Stoffer in the opening stanza of today's eliminations.

In the quarterfinals, Arana faced off against Angelle Sampey. Despite a terrific .007-second reaction time, he could not hold off the hard-charging Sampey, 6.916 at 193.96 to 6.882 at 195.08.

"We did OK this weekend, though," Arana said. "We'll be ready to go again in Reading (Pa)."

Hector Arana Jr., rider of the Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell, came very close to an opening-round upset over Andrew Hines, but an uncharacteristically subpar reaction time cost the younger Arana a chance at victory. Hines captured the holeshot win, 6.908, 194.52 to 6.911, 193.49.

"We ran the best we have all weekend, but unfortunately I started thinking too much on the starting line and I was a little too late leaving on Andrew," Arana Jr. said. "He was able to get the holeshot on me. I just have to go back and clear my mind, move past that, and get beyond that point and go from there."

Arana Jr. qualified in the No. 11 spot (6.910 seconds, 194.18 mph) for Sunday's eliminations.

"We are starting to really fine-tune the tune-ups," Arana Jr. concluded. "We are starting to sneak up on them and get a little bit better.

"Hopefully everything works out and we'll be ready for Reading."

Arana Jr. now sits in seventh place in championship points. Arana Sr. follows his son by only eight points in eighth.

The father and son dynamic duo will next compete in the third round of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs in Reading, the 32nd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, Sept. 29-Oct. 2.

Lucas Oil rider Hector Arana Sr. defeated Karen Stoffer in the opening stanza of eliminations en route to the quarterfinals at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis.

Hector Arana Jr., rider of the Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell, came very close to an opening-round upset over Andrew Hines.

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Lucas Oil Racing TV's Hector Arana Jr. will start eliminations in No. 11 position

ST. LOUIS (Sept. 24) -- Hector Arana Jr., rider of the Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell, is looking for an opening-round upset over Andrew Hines to start a long day of racing tomorrow.

After qualifying in the No. 11 spot (6.910 seconds, 194.18 mph) for Sunday's eliminations at the 5th annual AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park just outside of St. Louis, Arana is eager to get his new motor "Jake" back into action for eliminations.

"Jake", affectionately named after Forrest and Charlotte Lucas' late grandson Jake Lucas, made its debut at the recently completed U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

"Jake's alright," Arana explained. "For whatever reason we were thrown a curve with the tune-up in qualifying. We ended up switching the ECU (electronic control unit) and now we're trying to figure it out.

"I had a good setup for the starting line with the other ECU, but for whatever reason it's different now. It's a little bit of a learning curve trying to figure out what the bike wants to leave the (starting) line."

Arana is very optimistic about his chances of getting his first win of the 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tomorrow and moving up in the championship points.

Arana, who entered the St. Louis event in seventh place in Countdown to the Championship playoffs points, said, "We got the tune-up figured out in that last pass and we picked up speed, so now I've got to get it to leave the line and I believe we will."

Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations start at noon, Sunday, and will air live from 1 to 4 p.m. on FOX Sports 1. (All times listed in CT).

Hector Arana Jr., rider of the Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell, is looking for an opening-round upset over Andrew Hines to start a long day of racing tomorrow at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals.

Lucas Oil's Hector Arana Sr. takes circuitous route to No. 7 qualifying spot in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS (Sept. 24) -- Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana Sr. was happy to qualify in the top half of the field for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals on Saturday at Gateway Motorsports Park, but he was even happier to simply be at the racetrack this week.

"I owe this race to (fellow team owner) Junior Pippin," Arana said, "because without him, we would probably still be in North Carolina."

After the race in Charlotte last weekend, Arana and his team had mechanical problems with their motorhome. Pippin came to the rescue, sending a motorhome to Charlotte to tow the Arana Racing trailer to Gateway.

"We got stuck in Charlotte," Arana said. "We were ready to go on Sunday night, and I saw the reverse light on with the truck running. I checked, and it's in neutral and the reverse light is on, so I thought, 'Something's wrong here.'

A master mechanic, Arana tried to work on the problem and got the transmission to go into reverse.

"We finished everything and it will now go in forward and reverse," Arana said. "As a matter of fact, I told Junior, 'Hey, Junior, it goes in reverse,' and he said, 'You can't get to St. Louis in reverse.' I told him if it goes in reverse, it should go in drive."

It did but it wouldn't change gears, so Arana was stuck. Pippin then drove from his home near Atlanta to Charlotte to take the Arana hauler to St. Louis. They arrived Thursday night in time to set up for the weekend.

"It wouldn't shift," Arana said, "so we had to get it towed, and Junior came and picked me and brought me all the way here. He drove from Atlanta to pick me up and bring me here so we could get here on time and at least park inside on Thursday and set up."

Meanwhile, Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales and Racing Performance Motorcoaches worked on Arana's motorhome, repairing it and delivering it to Gateway Friday.

Once Arana got the bike ready for qualifying, it's been fast and consistent. His best run was 6.880 seconds at 195.34 mph, good enough for No. 7, but he wants more.

"The bike is coming around," Arana said. "Four consistent runs. I'm asking Hector (Arana Jr.) now, 'Let's look at the clutch.' I know, I know it can go quicker, so let's see what happens."

Arana will square off against Karen Stoffer in the first round of eliminations after Stoffer qualified No. 11 with a run of 6.904 seconds at 194.60 mph.

Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations start at noon, Sunday, and will air live from 1 to 4 p.m. on FOX Sports 1. (All times listed in CT).

Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana Sr. was happy to qualify in the top half of the field for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals on Saturday at Gateway Motorsports Park.