Guess whose back again? Hector’s back, tell a friend…

LAS VEGAS – Veteran drag racer and fan favorite Hector Arana Sr., the 2009 Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion, is returning to action at this weekend’s 17th annual NHRA Toyota Nationals after completing his rehabilitation following shoulder surgery. Arana Sr. has been off the NHRA tour since early June.

“Feeling good,” Arana Sr. said. “Time for the old man to have some more fun. There are some things we want to try, both for these last two races in regards to what (Hector Jr.) is doing and stuff we think will help us next year. Rather than experiment with his bike during qualifying sessions we can use my bike and keep him in race mode.”

Arana Sr. tore the rotator cuff in his left shoulder while changing a flat tire on the Lucas Oil team’s race hauler in early June following the NHRA National event in Englishtown, N.J. He’s been on the mend ever since.

“It’s an injury you can’t rush,” Arana Sr. said. “I followed my doctor’s orders and did all the rehab I had to do and it feels back to normal now. It takes time for the injury to heal and then more time to get your range of motion and strength back. I can do everything I did before but now I’ll test it to make sure I can ride my Lucas Oil Buell.”

After 19 years of racing, Arana Sr. scored his first national event win in 2008. The following year he took control of the class and won five races, including the prestigious U.S. Nationals, en route to the championship.

Part of Arana Sr.’s legacy is the 28-year relationship he has with Forrest and Charlotte Lucas and Lucas Oil Products. Mr. Lucas points to Arana Sr. as the first racer he ever sponsored, and Arana Sr. has proudly worn the red, white and blue of Lucas Oil throughout his career.

“That’s another reason we wanted to get two bikes going again, to give Lucas Oil even more exposure,” Arana Sr. said. “They’ve been so good to me and my family all these years and I’ll never be able to thank them enough. I do know that Forrest likes it when we win races so we’ll do all we can to get another one before the year is over.”

By finishing out the season, Arana Sr. mostly is prepping for 2018. If he can help his son and teammate, Hector Jr., in the points standings, all the better.

“The higher he can finish, the better it is for everyone involved,” Arana Sr. said. “He’s a good kid and he works hard. He’s becoming really good at staying focused on what’s next and not looking backwards. He’ll be a champion for sure. Sometimes you just have to be patient.”

Pro Stock qualifying sessions are scheduled for 1:45 and 4:15 p.m., Friday, and 1:15 and 3:45 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations begin at noon, Sunday. FOX Sports 1 will carry the first day qualifying action live from 3-4 p.m., Friday. Live eliminations will air on FOX Sports 1 from 1-4 p.m., Sunday. (All times are local and subject to change.)