Hector Arana Sr.'s birthday present? Racing his son in Charlotte first round

CHARLOTTE (Sept. 17) -- Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana Sr. would have preferred a different birthday present.

Arana, who celebrated his 58th birthday Saturday, qualified No. 9 for the NHRA Carolina Nationals in Charlotte, and because son Hector Jr. qualified No. 8, that means the two will have to square off in the first round of the first race of the Countdown to the Championship.

"I just have to remind him tomorrow that it's my birthday," Arana said with a laugh.

Arana does own a 3-0 record against his son in 2016, all in the first round and twice when they qualified Nos. 8 and 9.

Arana's best qualifying lap was 6.877 seconds at 195.39 mph, .001-second slower than his son's top pass, but the elder Arana was still happy with how qualifying went because he was able to make adjustments to his Lucas Oil bike to go quicker.

"I'm pleased with the qualifying sessions," Arana said. "We picked up, and finally, finally it's responding to some things, some calls, some tune-ups, so we are going to keep getting better and better."

The Countdown is NHRA's playoffs, a six-race stretch that concludes the season and crowns champions in four professional classes. Arana is eighth in the points standings, and a good start to the Countdown is important to his championship aspirations.

He was surprised on his birthday weekend with a visit from daughter Abigail, who flew in from her home in Miami to help celebrate.

"You know, that's awesome," Arana said. "It would even have been icing on the cake if (son) Adam could been here, too. But she's the best flavor cake; my favorite cake. I couldn't ask for more.

"Besides, you only turn 33 once!"  

Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations start at 1 p.m., Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast all the elimination action from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

Hector Arana Sr., who celebrated his 58th birthday Saturday, qualified No. 9 for the NHRA Carolina Nationals in Charlotte and will race son Hector Jr. in round one.

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