Last chance for a pewter Wally motivates Lucas Oil's Arana Sr.
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 9) – The 2011 Pro Stock Motorcycle season comes to a close with this weekend's Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway, but Lucas Oil Buell driver Hector Arana Sr. still has something he wants to accomplish.
While son Hector Arana Jr. has won three times this year, Arana Sr. is without a special-edition, 60th anniversary pewter Wally, and he wants one badly.
"I haven't won a race in two years," said Arana Sr., who last won in Dallas in 2009. "I've been thinking about that lately: 'Wow, two years have gone by. I've accomplished some things, but I haven't won.'"
Arana Sr. has been focused on his son's efforts for most of this season, but that's changed recently. Dad has been convinced that his son doesn't necessarily need him on race weekends, leaving Arana Sr. to concentrate on his own Lucas Oil Buell.
"The last couple of races, especially Phoenix, Hector Jr. showed me I don't have to worry about him," Arana Sr. said. "He's doing an excellent job and is aware of what's going on down the race track after he makes a pass. I'm more relaxed now, and I can focus on my program."
Arana Sr. debuted a new motorcycle at Indianapolis and has shown plenty of speed with it. He's qualified in the top half of the field in all six races with the new bike, including the last five qualifying fourth or better. Plus, in the last two races, Arana Sr. has raced to the semifinals each time.
While 2011 is almost over, Arana Sr. has his eye on 2012, too.
"I'm looking forward," Arana Sr. said. "It's the end of the season, and I know we have a short time off, but I'm gearing toward to next year already. I'm excited because Gainesville is right around the corner, and we'll be back to racing. I want to see if we can go even quicker and get another national record."
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