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Hector Arana Sr. Las Vegas Friday report

Lucas Oil Racing press release

Hector Arana Sr.

Hector Arana Sr.

Michael C. Johnson

Arana Sr. off to strong start in Las Vegas

Hector Arana Sr.
Hector Arana Sr.

Photo by: Michael C. Johnson

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 28) – Lucas Oil Buell rider Hector Arana Sr. prefers to have his son, Hector Jr., qualify No. 1 in Pro Stock Motorcycle at the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Or does he?

On the one hand, Arana Sr. wants his son to earn the bonus points for qualifying No. 1. Hector Jr., you see, is battling for the Pro Stock Motorcycle championship and can use every point he can get.

But Arana Sr. was informed he's been the No. 1 qualifier for the last two Vegas races. Maybe a third wouldn't be bad.

"Now that I've heard it could be three years in a row, I definitely want to keep the No. 1 now," Arana Sr. said with a smile.

Arana Sr. grabbed the provisional No. 1 on Friday afternoon with a pass of 6.924 seconds at 190.86 mph. If that holds through Saturday's final two sessions, it would be his third No. 1 of the season.

Arana Jr. is fourth after two rounds of qualifying, with a best pass of 6.963 seconds at 191.62 mph.

"Definitely, I'm playing defense," Arana Sr. said. "I know (Arana Jr.) he has it. The power is there, but he's struggling a little bit out of the starting line. I told him, 'I'm going to be right behind you. Either you take first, or I'm going to take it away from you.'

"I know he wants it. They just made a couple little mistakes. If he concentrates for tomorrow, he should have the No. 1."

Arana Sr. has qualified fourth or better in the last four races as he and crew chief Adam Arana develop a new Lucas Oil Buell.

"It feels good to me," Arana Sr. said. "We've been working hard, and finally it seems like everything is lining up and going to my favor.

"This is one of my favorite tracks. It's good and smooth. The fans are awesome. They've received us very well, and that makes us feel at home."

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