Pomona can provide Arana Sr. with optimum season-ending results

POMONA, CA – Putting his veteran riding skills to the test, Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Hector Arana Sr. continues to make strides in the right direction, including improving his chances of a win at the 50th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals.

After ending the final qualifying session on Friday with a 6.888 at 195.62 mph, Arana powered his Lucas Oil Buell to two more consistent runs on Saturday. Having the No. 6 qualifying spot overall, Arana is proud of the improvements he has made to turn his 2014 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season around.

“Qualifying wasn’t bad,” Arana said. “It’s definitely not bad when at the beginning of the year and at midseason I was struggling in the middle and back half. We’ve found something and we’re heading in the right direction now for sure.

“The last couple races we’ve been qualifying well. The 60-foot is coming around as well, so overall I’m pleased with the performance this weekend.”

For the first time in his veteran career, Arana will face off against No. 11 qualifier Elvira Karlsson during eliminations. Looking to keep true to his nickname, “Hector the Hammer” is ready to win as many rounds as he possibly can Sunday, hopefully ending the 2014 season with win lights and a Wally.

“I’m going to go far tomorrow,” Arana said. “That’s the way I’m looking at it. I’m working on the bike and my focus is I know I can win.

“I haven’t raced Elvira before, so that’s going to be fun. We’ll just see what happens. The goal is to go round after round, hoping to make it to the end, but I can’t do that without getting the win in round one to start it off.”

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