That could bode well for a repeat of the 2015 race here for the Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle rider.
Asked about making improvements in each of his runs from the second qualifying session on, Arana said with a laugh, "It means we are getting lucky. No, it's good to laugh and to keep getting better because that's a good indication we are going in the right direction."
Last year, Arana beat his son, Hector Jr., in the semifinals en route to winning the race. And guess who Arana is facing in the first round Sunday? Hector Jr.
"I guess he's going home first," Arana said with a smile.
Arana does have reason for confidence, as his pass of 6.926 seconds at 193.02 mph was the fifth-quickest of the session, and it came on a hot racetrack.
"This is a new combination, new engine," Arana said. "Right now, we're playing it safe. We don't know exactly which direction it wants to go and little by little we're making changes, and it seems to be responding the right way. I feel confident that everything is looking good, and we should be running better.
"It's only been three races with this motor, so I've got to learn what this engine wants."
Another reason for Arana's upbeat mood was seeing his son run well, too. Hector Jr. had struggled in 2016, even missing the race in Charlotte, but his Q3 pass was more than good enough to get into the field here.
"When I saw him run the .92, I was so happy," Arana said. "He bumped me down, but it's OK. It took a big weight off. I was more happy for Hector that now he's back. From here on, he's just going to keep getting better and better."
FOX Sports 1 will air Saturday qualifying from 10 to 11 p.m. ET and Sunday's elimination action from 4:40 to 7:30 p.m. ET.
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| Lucas Oil rider Hector Arana Sr. feels confident going into eliminations because his 6.926 at 193.02 mph was the fifth-quickest of the final session and it came on a hot Atlanta racetrack. |
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