There is truly something special about Summit Motorsports Park and the Arana family.There is truly something special about Summit Motorsports Park and the Arana family.

In 2008, Hector Arana won his first career Pro Stock Motorcycle race in dramatic fashion over Craig Treble. Three years later, it was Arana’s son, Hector Arana Jr., adding to the family legacy with his first career top qualifier award at the Norwalk track.

On Saturday, the Arana family continued that tradition of success in Norwalk.

Arana Jr. once again topped the Pro Stock Motorcycle field at Norwalk, racing to a 6.868-second pass at 195.79 mph to earn his second top qualifier award of the season and 18th of his career at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals. The other top qualifiers on Saturday were Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Erica Enders-Stevens (Pro Stock).

“We have so much great history at this track. My dad won his first race, I had my first number one qualifier award here, we have just had so much luck at this track,” Arana said. “Hopefully we can carry this good luck and good mojo into Sunday and get some round wins.”

Arana, who is currently third in points, will look to make up some ground on the Vance and Hines team in front of him as he seeks his first final round of the season.

“We have got a really solid engine program right now and we have got a lot of power. We just have to focus on being more consistent and continue that momentum on Sunday,” Arana said.

Arana took over the top spot on the charts Friday evening and held onto it for the next two rounds. He was one of only two drivers to dip into the 6.80s, with Chip Ellis qualifying second with a 6.880 at 195.19 mph. Just behind them was the most recent winner in the class, Jerry Savoie, in third. Points leader Eddie Krawiec qualified fourth.

“When we looked at the weather, it was actually a little worse today. We just wanted to be able to run numbers as close as possible to yesterday and if we did better, that would be great to run a little better in worse conditions,” Arana said. “We are pretty happy with where we stand heading into eliminations.”

Arana, whose father has one win already this season atop their twin Lucas Oil Buell machines, will look to add to his Wally collection on Sunday and earn his first victory since winning the NHRA Finals to end the 2014 season. He will face Angie Smith in round one.

Fortunately, Arana will not have to worry about facing his father until much later in the day on Sunday, as the two find themselves on opposite sides of the ladder. In four races so far this year, the Arana’s have knocked one another out of the race three times. If they can survive on Sunday, it will be an all-Arana final to end the weekend.

“That was the first thing we looked at was the ladder. The last few races we have been on the same side and having to race each other in the second round has put one of our bikes out early. Fortunately, we don’t have to do that this weekend,” Arana said. “Hopefully both of us can run to the finals.”

While any win would be special in this ultra-competitive class, Arana would be lying if he didn’t think that a win in Norwalk wouldn’t have just a little bit extra sentimental value.

“It is awesome to be out here racing on this big holiday weekend. We had the perfect paint scheme for it with our red, white and blue bikes with the stars,” Arana said. “It is great to run in front of such a big crowd and if we could get a win here this weekend, it would truly be something special.”

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