2015 Atlanta win holds 'special place' in Lucas Oil rider Hector Arana Sr.'s heart

 

ATLANTA (May 10) -- The 2015 edition of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals will forever be in the memory of Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana Sr. The veteran campaigner snapped a six-year, 86-race winless streak with the victory last year, and he'd love nothing more than to repeat as event champion.

 

"It was great," Arana said. "How many years was it since I had previously won? It was 2009, and I didn't win any races after that. To come to Atlanta last year and win the race, that was six years. That trophy holds a very special spot in my heart."

 

And while it was important for Arana to get a win, to prove to himself that he still knew how to get to the winner's circle, it was also significant to him as a parent. His children, Hector Jr., Adam, and Abigail, were teenagers or younger when he had last won, so for them to see him win as adults was big.

 

"If I were to retire right now, I know that I showed my kids that hard work pays off," Arana said. "If you believe it, you work at it, anyone can accomplish anything. That's what Atlanta showed."

 

Arana will enter this weekend's event with some momentum, too. He qualified No. 2 and raced to the final in Gainesville, Fla., to open the season, then qualified No. 6 and went to the semifinals in Charlotte. He sits third in the Pro Stock Motorcycle standings and is the top non-Harley-Davidson rider in the points.

 

"I'm looking forward to going to Atlanta," Arana said. "I know the pressure is on because you want to keep that momentum and win races. I'm going to stay focused and keep doing what I've been doing since the start of the year, and that's to stay calm and see what happens."

 

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4 and 6:30 p.m., Friday, and 1:30 and 4 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will air Friday qualifying from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday qualifying from 10 to 11 p.m., and Sunday's elimination action from 4:40 to 7:30 p.m.

Lucas Oil's Hector Arana Sr. will enter the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta
third in the Pro Stock Motorcycle standings and as the top non-Harley-Davidson rider.

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