Hector Arana Sr. looks for strong ride at Las Vegas

Past champ Arana Sr. looking for strong ride down 'The Strip'

Hector Arana Sr.

Photo by: Ted Rossino

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 24) – Lucas Oil Buell rider Hector Arana Sr. spent most of the first half of the year focusing on getting his son, Hector Jr., up to speed in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class.

Then, Arana Sr. spent the middle portion of 2011 battling a recalcitrant bike.

Down the stretch, Arana Sr. has worked on getting a new Lucas Oil Buell up to speed.

Finally, things seem to be going better for the 2009 Pro Stock Motorcycle champion. He's qualified fourth or better in the last four races, qualifying No. 2 in the most recent NHRA race, in Phoenix.

Also in Phoenix, Arana Sr. shook off the mechanical gremlins that plagued him in first-round losses in the prior three races to reach the semifinals in a race his son won.

Now, as Arana Sr. prepares for the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he's confident in continuing that momentum.

"I'm going to be more calm and concentrate on my program," Arana Sr. said. "Hopefully, we can go a little further."

Arana Sr. headed to Las Vegas right after the Phoenix race, parking the Lucas Oil hauler in the infield of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He'll gun for his first victory of the season in this weekend's race.

"I love going to Vegas," Arana Sr. said. "It's more relaxing. Then in the evening, you can go to the casinos and have fun and enjoy the crowd."

But Arana Sr. is quick to point out that he isn't much of a gambler.

"I only gamble over here in NHRA," Arana Sr. said. "That's it. That's all the gambling that I do."