Victory in finale is all the motivation Lucas Oil's Hector Arana Sr. needs

POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 8) – Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle racer Hector Arana Sr. is trending in the right direction heading into the final race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, the 52nd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals, to be held this weekend at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Arana has mostly struggled in the Countdown to the Championship, the six-race segment of the season that determines the Pro Stock Motorcycle champion. But Arana turned things around in Las Vegas, as he qualified No. 6 – his best since the second race of the season.

Plus, son Hector Arana Jr. qualified No. 7 in Las Vegas, and the two good performances lifted the spirits of the entire Arana Racing team.

"I definitely feel positive going into Pomona," Arana Sr. said. "We qualified sixth and seventh at Las Vegas, and it was the boost that we needed, especially at the end of the year with us going into the last race of the season."

The 16-race Pro Stock Motorcycle season can be a grind, especially for a team owner/rider like Arana Sr. He works in the shop all week, building engines and preparing the race bikes, and then helps drives the team hauler to and from races. Days off are rare.

"Truthfully, I'm worn out and I needed something like what we did in Vegas to give me a burst of energy," Arana Sr. said. "Now I am looking forward to going to Pomona so we can do well and hopefully we can go more than just a couple of rounds in eliminations."

Arana Sr. raced to the final round of the first race of the season, in Gainesville, Fla., and another final-round appearance – or a victory – would be a great bookend to the season.

"It's exactly what the team needs right now so we can get the motivation to keep on working through the winter," Arana Sr. said. "Don't get me wrong, it doesn't mean that I'm going to stop or that I'm not going to do anything. I'm just as hungry. I want to keep working, but to have something like a win happen, it just boosts you up and it would make my trip home shorter."

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions will run at 12 and 3 p.m., on both Friday and Saturday. Eliminations start at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will broadcast qualifying action from 8:30-9:30 p.m., Friday. Eliminations will air live from 1-4 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in PT).

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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