Arana Jr. Takes Surprise Dallas Win
W
e interrupt this battle for the
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle
Championship to bring you a guest
appearance by Hector Arana Jr.
Arana Jr., the first rider to of-
ficially run over 200-mph on an
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle, has
run just five races this year, as he
continues to search for sponsor-
ship, but that didn't stop him from
winning the NHRA Fall Nationals
at the Texas Motorplex. With a
shortened schedule, Arana is not
a part of the ongoing late-season
title fight, but he might just have a
say in who does win the champi-
onship with his performance.
Arana Jr. claimed his first
victory since 2019 with a run of
6.822 at 196.35 on his Team
Arana Buell to beat White Alliga-
tor Suzuki's Jerry Savoie in the
final round.
"This is so awesome. We don't
get out here as much as we'd like
so you've got to make the best of
it," said Arana Jr. "We just have
such a passion for it. It's been
so long, and we love being out
here with all the fans and to bring
home a Wally [trophy], is the icing
on the cake.
"We're working hard to find the
funding to come back racing full-
time next season," Arana said.
"Right now, I don't know when
my next race will be and I hope
this helps prove that we're still
competitive. We still know how to
get the job done."
Arana now has 16 career
NHRA victories, and he took out
a few of the class' most accom-
plished racers on his way to the
final including Chip Ellis, and
the husband-and-wife team of
Angie and Matt Smith. In Arana's
semifinal round, he bested points
leader Matt Smith to reach the
finals, playing the spoiler role
perfectly.
IN
THE
WIND
P52
Hector Arana Jr. made a
rare appearance in this
year's NHRA Championship
and came away with the
win at the Fall Nationals in
Dallas.
PHOTOS: MATT POLITO
