Starting over, Lucas Oil racer Hector Arana Sr. knows ideal tune-up is within grasp

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 11) -- Lucas Oil Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana Sr. is starting from scratch in the NHRA Summernationals this weekend at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, and what a start it's been, as he qualified No. 9 with a fast bike.

"I'm starting over," Arana said. "I'm trying to figure out what this motor wants, and I haven't narrowed it down yet."

Continued development has made for a more powerful engine in his Lucas Oil Buell, and that has changed the tune-up parameters. His best pass of 6.851 seconds at 198.03 mph just missed the top half of the field, but his speed was third among the 23 bikes here.

"We're just having tune-up issues, that's all," Arana said. "We found something, and the performance is there. We picked up and are running better. We were trying different things now because all this time the power wasn't there. Now it's there, so our tune-up and clutch combination threw us off."

Still, Arana was smiling, knowing that having good horsepower is a terrific start.

"We qualified well from the get-go, and it gives an opportunity to make changes and see what happens," Arana said. "We were going from one extreme to the other to learn something."

Plus, son Hector Jr. qualified a season-best third, giving dad peace of mind.

"Overall, I'm happy, especially that Hector ran a .79 and he's in third," Arana said. "I couldn't ask for any more than that."

Arana also enjoyed the company of youngest son Adam, who is at the race this weekend on leave from the U.S. Coast Guard.

"It's nice to see Adam again," Arana said "I hadn't seen him since March, and to see him again is great. He's looking great, and I'm happy. The whole family is back together."

Arana starts eliminations against Steve Johnson, who qualified No. 8 with a pass of 6.842 seconds at 195.00 mph.

FOX Sports 1 will carry Friday and Saturday's qualifying action from 9 to 11 a.m., Sunday. Eliminations will air from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Sunday.

Lucas Oil Buell Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana Sr. qualified No. 9 with a fast bike in the
NHRA Summernationals this weekend at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown.

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