Lucas Oil’s Hector Arana Sr. ready for battle of past champions in Denver first round

DENVER – One first-round match at the Mopar Mile-High Nationals on Sunday at Bandimere Speedway features a pair of past Pro Stock Motorcycle champions.

Lucas Oil rider Hector Arana Sr., the 2009 champion, faces three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle titlist Angelle Sampey in round one. Arana, the No. 14 qualifier, relishes the challenge.

“That’s great,” Arana said. “You always want to race the best. That’s how you get better.”

Arana will have to be at his best, as Sampey qualified in the lofty No. 3 perch after a best pass of 7.178 seconds at 184.32 mph. Arana’s top run was 7.285 seconds at 184.47 mph, but his Buell has been one of the fastest bikes in the class this weekend.

The problem has been getting the bike to leave well. That’s the opposite issue as his son, Hector Jr., whose bike has been lightning quick off the starting line but not as good in the second half of the track.

“Hector’s got the first half figured out,” Arana said. “I’ve got the back half figured out, so if we can get together and I get his first half and I give him my back half, we should be up to speed. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”

Arana is happy to see Sampey — or anyone other than his son, for that matter — in the first round. Father and son have raced each other in three of the last four races, so a different opponent will be a welcome sight for Arana on Sunday.

“We don’t face each other,” Arana said, “so let’s see what happens tomorrow.”

Pro Stock Motorcycle eliminations start at noon, Sunday, and will be broadcast live on FOX from 1 to 4 p.m. (All times listed in MDT).