A composed Arana is ready for Pomona eliminations

POMONA, CA – Now that the final qualifying sessions of the 2014 season are over, Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Adam Arana is determined to continue to make progress during eliminations at the 50th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals.

Coming out the gate with a run of 6.936 seconds at 195.31 mph during Q1 and following it up with three more consistent passes, the ProtectTheHarvest.com/MAVTV Buell secured the No. 10 qualifying position.

“Qualifying went alright; not too bad,” Arana said. “It could have gone a little better though. I could have qualified in the top half of the field. Especially in the third qualifying session, we definitely had the motor to go in the top half. I just kind of messed up on the tune-up.

“The qualifying runs were good and safe. That’s really what counts.”

Lining up alongside No. 7 Jerry Savoie on the starting line for round one of eliminations Sunday, the youngest Arana isn’t fazed. With a true racer’s mentality, he always heads into a round not paying attention to who his competitor is on the opposite lane.

“I don’t think I’ve ever raced Jerry (Savoie) on Sunday, so it’s just another guy,” Arana said. “I like Jerry but I don’t like him enough to lose to him. In fact, I don’t like anyone enough to lose to them.

“All I can do is try to make a good tune-up, pull up on the line, and try to cut a good light. If it’s enough, I’ll keep doing it and go rounds.”

No matter the outcome Sunday for the youngest Arana, he doesn’t foresee having any extra emotions in his last race of the year. Starting a new chapter of his life in the United States Coast Guard, Arana doesn’t think the change will really become apparent until the 2015 season starts.

“I won’t really notice it until the next season starts,” Arana said. “This is always the last race of the year, so it hasn’t hit me and it won’t hit me until next year.

“I’m going to enjoy it while I can and have fun; that’s what matters.”

Eliminations will start at approximately noon, Sunday, with both qualifying and elimination action broadcast on ESPN2 on tape-delay basis.