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.
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