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.

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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.

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