Lucas Oil Racing TV pro Hector Arana Jr. proves he’s a contender in NHRA playoff opener

CONCORD, NC – A strong semifinal showing at the first of six playoff races in the NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship will keep title-contender Hector Arana Jr. smack in the middle of the fight for this year’s crown.

With designs on celebrating his father’s birthday in the winner’s circle, Arana resoundingly beat Kelly Clontz and Scott Pollacheck to reach the final four. But that was where he ran into five-time world champ Andrew Hines, who nipped him, 6.862 to 6.867. Hines went on to finish the day as runner-up to teammate, Eddie Krawiec, who beat reigning world champ Jerry Savoie in the other semifinal tilt.

“We were hoping for a win but overall we did well this weekend,” Arana said. “We went rounds, made it to the semifinals, and kept the Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell right next to the other big teams.

“Winning at least two rounds in the first race of the playoffs was important because we have to go as many rounds as possible every weekend to stay alive in the Countdown. We remain in a really good position, alive and in the mix, so we just have to keep our heads up high and go from there.”

Arana looked extremely convincing in beating Kelly Clontz, a relative newcomer with just three races of experience. The race wasn’t much of a challenge as Arana posted a 6.866 at 195.85 mph to Clontz’s 7.130 at 191.57 mph.

Scott Pollacheck was next but once again the horsepower of Arana’s mount was too much for his opponent with Arana taking the stripe in 6.861 seconds at 195.96 mph, well ahead of Pollacheck’s 6.945 at 188.65 mph.

“Our bike was very consistent today,” Arana said. “We posted three 6.86s on the day and I sure can’t complain about that with this heat. We were able to stay consistent so we just have to keep that up and do everything we can to win.”

Case in point, Hines and Arana’s elapsed times were very close but Hines’ better start made the gap at the end of the track a little larger.

“(Hines) ran a 6.862, I ran a 6.867, so we were right there,” Arana said. “He was a little quicker than me on the light though (.031 to .049) so had those numbers been reversed, I would have won on a holeshot, but shoulda, coulda, woulda.

“It’s not just Andrew. There are some other bikes that are really fast so I’m going to have to go back home, get on my tree and practice hard so I can be that much sharper because I think it’s going to take some holeshot wins to win some of these rounds.

“I just have to thank everyone who supports us out here and wish a happy birthday to my father. I wish I could have gotten him a Wally but maybe next weekend.”

Arana and crew move immediately to Maple Grove Raceway for next weekend’s 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pa.