Lucas Oil Racing TV rider Hector Arana Jr. manages runner-up finish in Chicago

CHICAGO (July 9) -- Hector Arana Jr. remains red-hot on his Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell, powering to yet another runner-up finish Sunday at the 20th annual Fallen Patriots NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill. Only one rider has been better than Arana lately, LE Tonglet, who managed to edge him in the final for his fourth victory in six races this year.

"Not bad at all," Arana said. "You have to hand it to LE, he's been nearly perfect, but we are definitely right there. I really wish we could have brought the win home today for my dad but we gave it our best."

Arana and crew produced a competitive 6.878 at 193.29 mph in the trophy round, just behind Tonglet's 6.835 at 195.99 mph. Arana's father and teammate, Hector Arana Sr., is home recovering from shoulder surgery.

"We were dead-even off the starting line but we just missed it a little bit on the tune-up," Arana said. "We are definitely on the right track and moving forward so I know we will have something for them come these next few races."

With today's final-round showing, Arana's career numbers now show 11 national event victories and 10 runner-up results. Over the last three races, Arana has posted a pair of runner-up finishes and one semifinal result.

Sunday's racing began with a first-round victory over three-time world champion Angelle Sampey, who never had a chance with Arana leaving .034 seconds ahead and cruising away to an easy win, his 6.852 at 195.90 mph beating Sampey's 6.972 at 188.73 mph.

Round 2 had Arana racing his second female opponent of the day, Angie Smith, and once again he took the win with a 6.882 at 193.88 mph.

Another three-time world champ, Eddie Krawiec, awaited Arana in the semifinals, but he astutely earned his spot in the money round with a 6.844 at 195.03 mph to Krawiec's 6.963 at 193.07 mph.

"Overall, we are very happy and I was able to leave first in three out of four rounds so I'm getting my riding back also," Arana said. "The challenge of Pro Stock Motorcycle is that there always is something you can do better. No one ever leaves the racetrack saying they had a perfect day. It just doesn’t happen. But that's what drives us."

The Pro Stock Motorcycle class competes again on July 21-23 at the 38th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway in Denver.

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. 

Lucas Oil’s Hector Arana Sr. poised to make 200-mph history in Englishtown

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 7) – It wasn’t at an NHRA sanctioned event, but running under all the rules of the world’s largest drag racing sanctioning body, NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Hector Arana Sr. broke through one of the sport’s longest-standing barriers last weekend at Capitol Raceway in Maryland.

You can now call Arana "Mr. 200" because the 58-year-old from Miami became the first man to see a 200-mph pass on his time slip while testing, tuning and racing at the inaugural U.S. Pro Stock Motorcycle Open.

This weekend, Arana is hoping he can "officially" leap over the 200-mph hurdle at the 48th annual NHRA Summernationals at historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, just a few miles from Englishtown, N.J. The event in Englishtown is considered one of the sport’s crown jewels as one of the oldest and storied competitions on the schedule.

"We took our bikes to Maryland to race in the U.S. Open and, more importantly, test our bikes so we can get a good setup for Englishtown," Arana said. "We took my Lucas Oil Buell and my son Hector Jr.’s Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell to Maryland to see if we could alleviate some of the mechanical issues we’ve had so far this year, and I think we’ve got those problems solved now.

"We weren’t even trying to run 200 mph. I was just trying to make sure the bike left the starting line well, and then we get up there and see that 200.26 on the scoreboard. It was a great feeling, but I want to do it at an NHRA event. Now that we’ve broken through I think we can do it very soon, hopefully in Englishtown."

Arana has great cause to think he can be NHRA’s first rider to reach 200 mph this weekend. He holds the track speed record at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, 199.35 mph (career best).

Arana has had other success in Englishtown throughout his legendary career. He was the runner-up finisher in 2012 and 2013, and he was the No. 1 qualifier in his world championship season of 2009.

"I really want a Wally (trophy) from Englishtown," Arana said. "It’s one of those great events that ever racer wants to win, maybe this year will be my year."

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3:45 and 6:15 p.m., Friday, and 1:45 and 4:15 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at 11 a.m., Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will carry qualifying action from 10-11 p.m., Friday and live qualifying Saturday, 2-4 p.m. Eliminations live coverage 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Sunday with continuing coverage 6-7:30 p.m.

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.

Please visit www.LucasOil.com and www.GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Test session leads to abundance of confidence for Lucas Oil TV's Hector Arana Jr.

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 7) – NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle standout Hector Arana Jr., rider of the Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell, is beaming with confidence and anticipation of a breakout weekend at this weekend's famed 48th annual NHRA Summernationals at historic Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

The 28-year-old Arana Jr. has several reasons to be excited about this weekend of quarter-mile racing, not the least of which is that the event in Englishtown will be his 100th behind the handlebars of one of the world’s quickest and fastest motorcycles.

"Wow, 100 races, that’s really cool," Arana Jr. said. "I didn’t realize it was already 100. That’s a big milestone for me and my family. We’ve been able to have quite a bit of success in those first 99 events. I can’t wait to see what we do in the next 100."

Arana Jr. rides alongside his father and teammate Hector Arana Sr., rider of the Lucas Oil Buell and NHRA stalwart for more than two decades.

Arana Jr. has qualified his Lucas Oil Racing TV mount in the top-half of the eliminations field at all three of the PSM events this season, but has only parlayed that early performance into one round win so far in 2017, an opening round victory at the previous event in Atlanta. Following the best testing session of his career, the spry New York resident is eager for a turnaround of fortune in Englishtown.

"We went testing and also raced at the inaugural U.S. Pro Stock Motorcycle Open at Capitol Raceway in Maryland this past weekend to get ready for the Summernationals," Arana Jr. said. "We went out there and had our best outing ever so I'm very anxious to get to E-town.

"We were really fast and consistent. My Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell ran all but one run in the 6.7 (second) range, and the run that wasn’t a 6.70 was a 6.80. Our 60-foot times were some of the best we’ve ever had. Plus, I won the event by defeating my dad in the final round. It was obviously a very successful weekend for us and a great boost for us going into this weekend."

Arana Jr. recorded the quickest elapsed time of his NHRA career, 6.772, in Englishtown in 2014.

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3:45 and 6:15 p.m., Friday, and 1:45 and 4:15 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations start at 11 a.m., Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will carry qualifying action from 10-11 p.m., Friday and live qualifying Saturday, 2-4 p.m. Eliminations live coverage 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Sunday with continuing coverage 6-7:30 p.m.

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. 

Hector Arana Jr. gets first round win of '17; Father Hector Arana Sr. still searching for answers

COMMERCE, Ga. (May 7) -- Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana Jr. recorded his first elimination-round win of the young season with a quarterfinal finish at Sunday's 37th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals. Despite his Lucas Oil Buell being set up exactly the same way as his son's machine, Hector Arana Sr. wasn't quite as lucky, losing in Round 1 even after a great launch.

After qualifying a lofty fourth on the race day ladder, Arana Jr. posted a convincing win over first-round opponent Mike Berry, leaving the starting line first (.007 to .014 seconds) and arriving at the finish line well ahead of Berry, with a 6.844 at 195.85 mph on his Lucas Oil Racing TV bike to Berry's 7.047 at 186.51 mph.

"I've been feeling really good all weekend," Arana Jr. said. "We have been amped up in our pit. We've got both bikes running strong and are finally back up to speed and running with the rest of the class. Leaving here with just one round win isn't enough. I believe we definitely are a force to be reckoned with and we will continue to be as time goes on and we get more notes. We're only going to get faster."

Arana Jr. was a little too fast in the quarterfinals, leaving the starting line -.015 seconds before the green light, which resulted in a disqualification against reigning champ Jerry Savoie.

"I’m a little bummed out about that," Arana Jr. said. "I was obviously a little too excited there. We looked at the graph and I pulled in the clutch when I saw red just because I was so frustrated. A moment later I was thinking 'I should’ve run the bike out just to see what it would’ve run.' It would have helped in our notes. Like I said, I was amped up and ready to go this weekend and I saw the red light and it just threw everything off."

On the other side of the ladder, sixth-ranked Arana Sr. was certainly ready for what should have been a fairly easy test against Scott Pollacheck. However, despite earning a large .033-second reaction time advantage at the starting line, Arana's Lucas Oil Buell couldn't transfer all of its horsepower to the track, allowing Pollacheck to steal the win with a 6.860 at 193.63 mph to Arana Sr.'s 6.995 at 195.65 mph.

"We had it set up to repeat the 6.86 we ran in qualifying and with that light I would have been fine," Arana Sr. said. "But when I dropped the clutch I could feel the bike spinning the tire really bad. From there it started moving towards to the center line and I had to correct. By then it was done. It didn’t recover fast enough and that was it for me. 

"We definitely did some positive things this weekend. We were consistent and we kept improving so to me that’s a good thing. I looked at my reaction times and they were all pretty decent so I can’t ask for any more than that. We'll be okay."

The Pro Stock Motorcycle class has a month off before returning to action with the 48th annual NHRA Summernationals, June 9-11 at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.COMMERCE, Ga. (May 7) -- Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana Jr. recorded his first elimination-round win of the young season with a quarterfinal finish at Sunday's 37th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals. Despite his Lucas Oil Buell being set up exactly the same way as his son's machine, Hector Arana Sr. wasn't quite as lucky, losing in Round 1 even after a great launch.

After qualifying a lofty fourth on the race day ladder, Arana Jr. posted a convincing win over first-round opponent Mike Berry, leaving the starting line first (.007 to .014 seconds) and arriving at the finish line well ahead of Berry, with a 6.844 at 195.85 mph on his Lucas Oil Racing TV bike to Berry's 7.047 at 186.51 mph.

"I've been feeling really good all weekend," Arana Jr. said. "We have been amped up in our pit. We've got both bikes running strong and are finally back up to speed and running with the rest of the class. Leaving here with just one round win isn't enough. I believe we definitely are a force to be reckoned with and we will continue to be as time goes on and we get more notes. We're only going to get faster."

Arana Jr. was a little too fast in the quarterfinals, leaving the starting line -.015 seconds before the green light, which resulted in a disqualification against reigning champ Jerry Savoie.

"I’m a little bummed out about that," Arana Jr. said. "I was obviously a little too excited there. We looked at the graph and I pulled in the clutch when I saw red just because I was so frustrated. A moment later I was thinking 'I should’ve run the bike out just to see what it would’ve run.' It would have helped in our notes. Like I said, I was amped up and ready to go this weekend and I saw the red light and it just threw everything off."

On the other side of the ladder, sixth-ranked Arana Sr. was certainly ready for what should have been a fairly easy test against Scott Pollacheck. However, despite earning a large .033-second reaction time advantage at the starting line, Arana's Lucas Oil Buell couldn't transfer all of its horsepower to the track, allowing Pollacheck to steal the win with a 6.860 at 193.63 mph to Arana Sr.'s 6.995 at 195.65 mph.

"We had it set up to repeat the 6.86 we ran in qualifying and with that light I would have been fine," Arana Sr. said. "But when I dropped the clutch I could feel the bike spinning the tire really bad. From there it started moving towards to the center line and I had to correct. By then it was done. It didn’t recover fast enough and that was it for me. 

"We definitely did some positive things this weekend. We were consistent and we kept improving so to me that’s a good thing. I looked at my reaction times and they were all pretty decent so I can’t ask for any more than that. We'll be okay."

The Pro Stock Motorcycle class has a month off before returning to action with the 48th annual NHRA Summernationals, June 9-11 at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.

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.

Please visit www.LucasOil.com and www.GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Qualifying hot streak continues for Hector Arana Jr., Hector Arana Sr. at Lucas Oil race

COMMERCE, Ga. (May 6) -- Drag racers set goals for themselves each race weekend. The first one is to qualify. The second one is to qualify in the top half of the field. Finally, they want to win on race day.

Through the rain-shortened professional qualifying sessions at the 37th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals, father/son teammates Hector Arana Sr. and Hector Arana Jr. have successfully crossed off the first two goals, just as they have at the first two Pro Stock Motorcycle races of the 2017 season.

"We are definitely excited and really pumped up," Arana Jr. said immediately after the third and final qualifying session for their class. "For me to run a 6.866 and then right behind me, my dad runs a 6.867, that's pretty amazing. It's wild to have both of these bikes run that close in the numbers. We ended up one-thousandth of a second apart.

"It just shows we have a good program and we're getting good performance out of our Lucas Oil bikes. It's coming at the right time because Lucas Oil picked up title rights to this race a few weeks ago so we need to represent them well. I definitely feel we are going in the right direction. I’m excited and can’t wait to race tomorrow. I know my dad feels the same way."

Despite their razor-close performances, Arana Jr. and Arana Sr. are actually two spots apart on the ladder. Arana Jr. ended up fourth with a 6.866 at 194.88 mph on his Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell V-Twin, with his father taking sixth place on the grid with a 6.867 at 194.21 mph on his Lucas Oil mount.

"We got lucky in that we were able to have three runs versus the two the other pro categories had,” Arana Sr. said. "It means we are able to have a little bit of extra data to look at and work from.

"We came here this morning and were still struggling a little bit so on the third run we made a big change just as they were calling the bikes up. We weren’t even done so we just left off all the unnecessary extra nuts and bolts and we got to the starting line just in time. We made the run and it was sweet. It was just what I needed to pump me back up. It gives me the energy I need."

Arana Jr. opens eliminations against No. 13 qualifier Mike Berry, who posted a 6.951 at 187.99 mph. Arana Sr. will face No. 11 qualifier Scotty Pollacheck, who went 6.927 at 187.57 mph. As for accomplishing the final goal of winning the race, Arana Jr. says they shouldn't be overlooked.

"We haven't made all the changes we want to make and both bikes were still hustling pretty well," Arana Jr. said. "Who knows what we could have run if we had been able to do everything we wanted to do today. I guess we'll find out tomorrow."

Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations begin at noon, Sunday. Television coverage on FOX Sports airs at 6 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in EDT).

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.

Please visit www.LucasOil.com and www.GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Pro Stock Motorcycle champ Hector Arana Sr. takes aim at sponsor's newest race

COMMERCE, Ga. (May 4) -- The last time 2009 world champion Hector Arana Sr. visited the winner's circle was in 2015 at Atlanta Dragway, the site of this weekend's 37th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals. Now more than ever, with his team's title sponsor -- Lucas Oil --supporting the race, Arana Sr. hopes to repeat the feat on his Buell V-Twin.

"It's great that Lucas Oil jumped on board a few weeks ago to become the sponsor of this race because it's always been a stop on the tour that I enjoy," Arana Sr. said. "Any time you have a drag strip where you've done well in the past, it gives you that extra feeling of being relaxed. You have positive thoughts in your head instead of 'oh no, that's where such-and-such happened.'"

Aside from his 2015 victory, Arana Sr. raced to the final of this event in 2010, when he finished second to five-time world champion Andrew Hines. Arana Sr. also was the top qualifier at this race in 2010 and 2012 on his Lucas Oil bike.

"When I think about how to prepare for Atlanta, the first thing I do is check the weather," Arana said. "The weather always plays a role wherever we go but I'm not sure it changes as much from hour-to-hour and day-to-day as we've seen in Atlanta.

"Because of that you have to be prepared for anything. You have to look at past runs you've made in humid conditions, hot conditions, cooler conditions, running on a green track right after rain, all of it. This place is a good test for your abilities as a crew chief."

As they have all year, Arana Racing will utilize the tuning talents of retired two-time Pro Stock world champion Jim Yates, who can recall his two victories at the facility in 1997 and 2001.

"Jim's been a big help already and as he becomes more familiar with the bikes and how we're a little bit different than the cars he drove and tuned in the past, he'll become an even bigger help," Arana Sr. said. "We all work together: me, Jim, my son Hector Jr., we all talk about what we think will work. That'll never change."

Before he gets started at the track, Arana Sr. will enjoy the exclusive Night of Champions gala at Coca-Cola world headquarters in Atlanta. The special event honors all of the professional class champions from the last 16 years since Coca-Cola has been involved as sponsor of the NHRA series.

"I look forward to this party every year," Arana Sr. said. "You look around that room and feel a very big sense of accomplishment. It also motivates you to win another championship, which is exactly what we want to do for Lucas Oil."

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4:15 p.m. and 7:10 p.m., Friday, and 1:15 and 3:45 p.m., Saturday, with eliminations starting at 12 p.m., Sunday. Television coverage on FOX Sports 1 begins with qualifying show at 8 p.m., Friday, followed by elimination action at 6 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in EDT).

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.

Please visit www.LucasOil.com and www.GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Lucas Oil rider Hector Arana Jr. anxious to do well at Lucas Oil Southern Nationals

COMMERCE, Ga. (May 4) -- To say Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana Jr. is anxious to have a good race weekend would be a colossal understatement. That point will be magnified even further this particular weekend as his longtime sponsor Lucas Oil recently signed on to support the race, the 37th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals.

"I've never raced with anything but Lucas Oil on the side of my bike so this race has become huge for us," said Arana Jr., who carries the Lucas Oil Racing TV brand on his Buell V-Twin. "I want to win every race, but certainly when Forrest and Charlotte Lucas (company founders) put their name on something, you want it even more.

"We haven't shown what we're capable of the first two races but we're ready. I’m excited to get to Atlanta because I love racing, that’s why I’m out here. In fact, that’s why we are out here as a team, so I’m ready to go."

Arana Jr. races alongside his father Hector Sr., the 2009 world champion. This year, the Aranas have added two-time Pro Stock champion and 25-time national event winner Jim Yates to their crew to help make tuning calls.

"We're in a good rhythm now," Arana Jr. said. "Atlanta is a good track and can be very fast. We have to see what the weather does. It looks like we'll be dodging rain here and there, but the cooler temperatures rain usually brings makes the bikes go faster so we'll be fine.

"I had a transmission issue last weekend in Charlotte so we pulled the whole thing out and completely rebuilt it. Everything else was freshened up also. There is no reason why we can't qualify both bikes in the top half of the field, like we did last weekend, and go out there and compete for the trophy on Sunday."

Due to forecasted rain, Friday's two qualifying sessions have been moved to earlier in the day. Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are now scheduled for 2:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m., Friday, and 1:15 and 3:45 p.m., Saturday, with eliminations starting at 12 p.m., Sunday. Television coverage on FOX Sports 1 begins with qualifying show at 8 p.m., Friday, followed by elimination action at 6 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in EDT).

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. 

Both Lucas Oil bikes out early in Charlotte, riders Hector Arana Sr. and Hector Jr. eye Atlanta

CONCORD, N.C. (April 30) -- After qualifying both of their Lucas Oil-backed Buells in the top half of the elimination ladder of the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Hector Arana Sr. and his son Hector Jr. were hoping for a long Sunday at the drag strip. But that was quickly dashed in the opening session when both men failed to advance.

"We just have to throw this race out the window and start over," Arana Jr said. "This is an oddball race anyway so you really can't let it get you down.

"I'm still a little bummed because I really wanted to go rounds today and do well for everyone that supports us. I'm frustrated I'm haven't gone rounds in the first two races of the season because we should be. We've got a bike capable of winning rounds."

Arana Jr.'s Sunday run looked fine until he was down-track. That's when he had trouble getting into high gear, an issue that also surfaced in qualifying. This time it slowed him to an 8.210 at 113.57 mph.

"This transmission is going to have to come out and be rebuilt," Arana Jr. said. "That's two times within three runs that the bike didn't shift going down the track. It's just really disappointing. Another disappointing thing was I saw my (.134-second) reaction time and I honestly didn't think I was that late off the line. I'll definitely redeem myself next weekend in Atlanta."

Hector Sr. did have a good light -- .037 seconds -- but his bike didn't immediately respond on the launch pad and he could only watch as the other bikes pulled away. His resigned 7.271 at 195.34 mph was off the pace.

"We had a little hiccup there," Arana Sr. said. "The engine kinda bogged when I let the clutch out, just for a second, and then it took off. That was all it took. It feels bad, it hurts but we just gotta go on to the next one, forget about this one. We always learn from the mistakes and hopefully we don't have to repeat those at the next race."

Arana Racing will look to impress their title sponsor next weekend at the 37th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga.

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.

Please visit www.LucasOil.com and www.GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Seeking rhythm in the seat, Hector Arana Jr. happy to be back in the saddle

CONCORD, N.C. (April 27) -- Although fans won't be able to see it under his Shoei helmet, seventh-year Pro Stock Motorcycle professional Hector Arana Jr. will be smiling ear to ear when he fires up his Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell for the first time at this weekend's eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.

"I can't wait to race again," Arana said, referencing the six-week break since the class' season opener in Florida. "It seems like we had another Christmas break after Gainesville. As a driver, you want to get into a rhythm with everything you do when you make runs. Having long gaps between races doesn't help you get comfortable. Fortunately, we're pretty much on a normal schedule now so I'm a happy guy."

Racing alongside his father Hector Sr., Arana says his team is still a work in progress at this early stage of the 16-race Pro Stock Motorcycle schedule.

"The first race let us know where we stood in relation to the field," he said. "It also directed us to the areas where we need to improve. It was a great test in that regard. So ever since Gainesville we've been working on getting these two Buells to perform the way they need to for us to be competitive.

"We were trying a lot of different things and there are still other things we will be trying this weekend. We're still learning. To be honest, it may be another race or two until we are consistently up there with the top runners in the class.

"I think having Jim Yates helping us this year will really pay off. He's a smart guy and even though he raced Pro Stock cars, he understands what we're doing with the bikes and the more he's around them, the better he'll be at adding his ideas."

Arana is no stranger to success at zMax Dragway. He is the current track record-holder for elapsed time and top speed after last year's postings of 6.794 seconds and 199.88 mph. His top speed also is the national record, and just a breath away from the magical 200-mph mark everyone is fighting for.

"The first time I raced four-wide I won the event (in 2013)," he said. "The next year I went to the finals so I'm definitely a fan of the format. It's something different and that's cool for the racers and the fans. It seems most people really like it.

"Racing is racing. We all show up with the same chance to win. It's how you execute that matters. We'll be ready for the weekend."

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Friday, and 1:30 and 4 p.m., Saturday, with eliminations starting at 12:40 p.m., Sunday. Television coverage on FOX Sports 1 begins with a live qualifying show at 7 p.m., Friday, followed by elimination action at 5:30 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in EDT).

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.

Please visit www.LucasOil.com and www.GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Hector Arana Sr. busier than expected in lead-in to NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

CONCORD, N.C. (April 27) -- With six weeks off between the season-opening Gatornationals and this weekend's eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, most Pro Stock Motorcycle teams had a chance to not only get some work done, but enjoy a few days off. That wasn't the case for Lucas Oil veteran Hector Arana Sr., who barely had time to leave his Corydon, Ind., shop for his youngest son Adam's wedding.

"The first race gave us a direction we needed to go with the bikes and the engines so we got back home and went to work," Arana said. "It felt like we'd have lots of time to not only work in the shop, but maybe even go testing.

"Everything was going really well and then out of nowhere the dyno crashed. We had an engine on there and it just stopped. We took it apart best we could but it was something beyond what we could fix so we had to have it repaired. That took two weeks. So much for having any extra time."

Working with new crew chief Jim Yates, the two-time Pro Stock world champion, the Lucas Oil team, which includes Arana's oldest son Hector Jr., spent the down time going over their Buells from front to back. When the dyno was back in working order, they immediately put it to use.

"Everything is squared away now," Arana said. "We did have enough time to do everything we needed to do so I guess if the dyno needed to die, it was best it did during the longest break we have on the schedule.

"It's still early in our season. Pro Stock Motorcycle does 16 races and this weekend is only the second one. Still, you don't want to give away anything so it's important we do well this weekend. We are 100-percent ready for the race."

This weekend's event is unique in that four entries race at one time, rather than the conventional two. The four-wide format was popular several decades ago before being resurrected by Bruton Smith when he built zMax Dragway.

"I like it, I really do," Arana said. "It's a change of pace, something completely different. Your thinking has to change because there's a lot going on when you get up there to make a run. It's another challenge, and I like that.

"The only downside is we have one less round of racing on Sunday, and that potentially eliminates a run where you could be getting more data. Otherwise, I like it and the fans like it so I say let's race."

Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Friday, and 1:30 and 4 p.m., Saturday, with eliminations starting at 12:40 p.m., Sunday. Television coverage on FOX Sports 1 begins with a live qualifying show at 7 p.m., Friday, followed by elimination action at 5:30 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in EDT).

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.

Please visit www.LucasOil.com and www.GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Gator's bite Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcyclists Hector Arana Jr., Hector Arana Sr.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 19) -- Lucas Oil Pro Stock Motorcycle drag racers Hector Arana Jr. and Hector Arana Sr. were bitten hard by this year's Gatornationals with both championship hopefuls exiting the contest in Sunday's opening round of eliminations.

Arana Jr. got the worst of it, as he was shutoff at the starting line prior to his run when NHRA Chief Starter Mike Gittings determined his Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell was leaking something on the track. Arana Jr. vehemently argued that he wasn't at fault, but Gittings could not be convinced and disqualified Arana Jr. on the spot.

"First of all, I need to apologize to Mike because I was pretty hot when he was signaling for me to shutoff and I acted inappropriately in expressing my point," Arana Jr. said. "Having said that I still believe the liquid on the track was not from my bike and that whatever it was on the track wasn't oil anyway so I don't understand why I couldn't have made a run.

"It's just really disappointing because we obviously had the bike running strong this weekend, we had qualified in the top half of the field, and we felt we could seriously make a run at the trophy. My emotions run high because this means a lot to me.

"At this point there is nothing we can do but put this whole deal behind us and start preparing for the next race."

The Pro Stock Motorcycle class has six weeks off before racing again April 28-30 at the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte.

The time off should help Arana Sr. cool off a little as well as he DQ'ed himself with a -.007 red-light start. The miscue handed Scotty Pollacheck the win, and for good measure he ran his best pass of the weekend, a 6.876 at 194.41 mph. Adding to the pain of the situation, Arana posted his fastest pass of the event with a 6.819 at 198.50 mph after fouling out.

"I saw yellow and dropped the clutch and the bike just yanked up the front wheel, obviously out of the beams," Arana Sr. said. "As I passed the Christmas Tree I saw red but I wasn't sure if it was him or me. I was going through my run like normal and when I had the chance to look up I saw his win light already on so I knew it was me.

"It was still a great weekend. Qualifying our Lucas Oil two bikes fifth and seventh and having strong bikes on race day is very encouraging. We didn't have any luck today but we have a lot to look forward to this year. Like Hector said, we need to just forget about this result and start getting ready for Charlotte."

FOX Sports 1 airs live elimination action beginning at 1 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in EDT).

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.

Please visit www.LucasOil.com and www.GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.

Arana Racing earns two top-half spots in Pro Stock Motorcycle's season-opening race

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 18) -- It looks like all the hard work Hector Arana Sr. and his son Hector Arana Jr. put in during the off season is paying off with the dynamite duo making a major statement at the season opening event at Gainesville Raceway. Family patriarch Hector Sr. qualified fifth overall with a 6.813-second pass at 197.02 mph, followed closely by Hector Jr., who earned the seventh spot with a 6.828 at 195.42 mph.

The much-anticipated first 200-mph pass almost came to pass with Eddie Krawiec matching Hector Jr's two-year-old mark of 199.88 mph in Saturday's early session, but that was as close as anyone got to the milestone. The fastest Hector Sr. reached in qualfying was 198.26 mph, while Hector Jr. topped out at 198.08 mph.

"We’ve been following the weather really close and tomorrow is going to be warmer," Hector Sr. said. "The window for that 200-mph pass has gotten smaller and smaller. There are bikes going fast and playing consistently with 199 mph so it’s going to happen this year. We are all flirting with it, but maybe it'll have to wait for another weekend."

Now, with his mind off the historic mark and focused on race day, Hector Sr. says he's found a tune-up he thinks will work.

"When we went testing with my bike all we could do was spin the tire," Hector Sr. said. "We had no control. I also tested Hector’s bike because we had stripped it down to the bare chassis. He had a couple of little air leaks we couldn’t find, so we worked and worked and finally found the leaks, fixed them, then re-wired the bike and put on a brand-new tire. Even then, we couldn’t leave the starting line with that bike either.

"Here again we struggled to leave the starting line the first three runs so I finally made another change because I needed that to stop. Boy, did it stop. I dropped the clutch in Q4 and it almost threw me over the handlebars. I could hear the motor stop before it finally took off. So now we need to find the middle ground in the data and we should be get something really competitive for tomorrow."

Hector Sr. squares off against No. 12 qualifier Scotty Pollacheck, who had a best pass of 6.890 at 189.71 mph.

Across the pit, newly-married Hector Jr., with his bride Nicole by his side, was pleased just to start the year on the good side of the ladder.

"Considering the season we had in 2016, I’m really happy," Arana Jr. said, referring to his eighth-place finish in the 2016 points. "I screwed up that last run; driver error. We should have been in the .70s and that would have improved my spot but we won’t go there and recap what I did. I definitely hurt the run but it’s fine. We’ll put it behind us and be ready in the morning.  

"It definitely takes a little bit of time to get back in a routine and get everybody used to the scramble of a national event. You just can't replicate the pace you need at a race with the short turnaround time and everything when you're testing or at the shop. But it’s like riding a bicycle; after the first time, you know how to do it the rest of your life."

Hector Jr. begins his run at the Gatornationals title opposite Matt Smith, who rode his Victory bagger to a 10th-best 6.857 at 195.17 mph.

Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations begin at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will air qualifying highlights at 11 p.m., Saturday, followed by live elimination action beginning at 1 p.m., Sunday. (All times listed in EDT).

Hector Arana Sr. 

Hector Arana Jr. 

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.

Please visit www.LucasOil.com and www.GeigerMediaGlobal.com for more information.