'Jake' is Hector Arana Jr.'s secret weapon for Countdown to the Championship

CHARLOTTE (Sept. 13) -- Lucas Oil Racing TV rider Hector Arana Jr. has a secret weapon for the start of the Countdown to the Championship: "Jake."

"Jake" is the name of the engine in Arana's Buell that he'll race at the NHRA Carolina Nationals this weekend in Charlotte, kicking off the six-race battle for the 2016 championship. Jake is named after the late Jake Lucas, grandson of Lucas Oil co-founders Forrest and Charlotte Lucas.

"We name every one of our engines," Arana said. "We don't have a number; we give them a name. We feel like they all have character. We don't name them right away. We run them and see what their character is like. We also give them a name according to someone special to us.

"We named this one Jake after Forrest and Charlotte's grandson and Joe Lucas' twin brother. He passed away a couple of months ago, and we just felt like the motor was really strong. It had shown good numbers and we figured it would run real good, and Jake was always on the wild side. He was a wild guy, so we figured that the name was very fitting for the engine. It's exciting and I am looking forward to a long journey with the engine."

The engine debuted at the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis two weeks ago, and Arana advanced to the final round, his first of the season.

Arana raced to two semifinals and a final in the three races before the Countdown, and he moved all the way to seventh in the Pro Stock Motorcycle points standings. He's 80 points out of the lead -- about four rounds of racing -- after the points were reset.

"I feel better because we are going in with a killer tune-up," Arana said. "We've had great 60-foot times the last couple of races, and it's been consistent, too. We've got a bracket bike, and we've got this thing leaving the line awesome. It runs good, it's consistent, it's predictable, and we've got the good motor now, so I'm stoked. I'm really excited and pumped."

Arana has finished in the top five in the points standings in all five of his seasons, but he's still gunning for his first title. This season could be his best shot at it.

"I've won at Charlotte before," said Arana, who won here in 2013. "I've won races before. I know how to get there, and I will get there."

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3:15 and 5:30 p.m., Friday, and 12:45 and 3 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at 1 p.m., Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action from 6 to 7 p.m., Friday, and 11 a.m. to noon, Sunday. Eliminations will air live from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in ET).

Lucas Oil Racing TV rider Hector Arana Jr. will kick off the Countdown to the Championship playoffs this weekend at the NHRA Carolina Nationals only about four rounds of racing from first place.

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.

Visit LucasOil.com, LucasOilRacing.TV, and GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.