Lucas Oil rider Hector Arana Sr. ready for a breakthrough in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS (Sept. 20) -- The progress being made by the Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle team and rider Hector Arana Sr. is real, even if it's not immediately evident on paper.

Arana knows a breakthrough on the track could come at any time, perhaps at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals this weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park.

The 2009 Pro Stock Motorcycle champion has fought with a recalcitrant Pro Stock Motorcycle for much of the season; he'll have a good race but then will follow with a disappointing one. Along the way, he has learned that he has good horsepower, as his speed numbers have been among the best.

However, as he tinkered with the tune-up, the Buell would sometimes not respond, but that changed last weekend in Charlotte, where adjustments finally produced positive momentum.

"I've been working hard on this and I've finally started to see the light at the end of the tunnel," Arana said. "I'm feeling good because I'm making changes and I see the response. We're going the right way. We're picking up the pace."

St. Louis would be a good place to show the improvement, since it's the second race of the Countdown to the Championship and it's where Arana raced to the final round in 2016. He met son Hector Jr. there before coming up short of another victory.

"That was an excellent weekend," Arana said with a smile. "(Son) Adam was there, (daughter) Abby was there, the whole family was together, so I was happy, I was more relaxed. Of course we went to the finals and the outcome wasn't what I wanted, but if we would have another weekend like that, I'd be happy."

Arana is eighth in the Pro Stock Motorcycle standings, 153 points out of the lead. Should he get hot, he could make up ground in the points race quickly. St. Louis is the second of six races in the Countdown, which determines the 2016 champion.

"I just need to focus on the bike and not worry about the points," Arana said. "Everyone says that, but if we do that and get the bike to run fast like I like to, then the points will be there for us."

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 2:45 and 5:15 p.m., Friday, and 1:45 and 4:15 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action from 6 to 7 p.m., Friday. Eliminations will air live from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in CT).

Lucas Oil racer Hector Arana Sr. knows a breakthrough on the track could come at any time, perhaps at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals this weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park.

Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products is the world leader of high-performance lubricants and problem-solving additives and produces and markets more than 270 unique formulations in more than 40 countries. Products include engine oils, greases, gear lubes, problem-solving additives, and car-care products. Please visit LucasOil.com for more information.

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