Hector Arana Jr. is the only NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock Motorcycle rider to know what it’s like to ride a bike at 200 mph in competition, and he has done that three times this year.

The rider of the Lucas Oil Racing TV Buell EBR earned the pole Friday at Virginia Motorsports Park at Dinwiddie, Virginia, with a time of 6.795 seconds at 198.15 mph and it held up for his second pole of the year.

The second-generation racer from Indiana is focused on earning his first event title in five events this year when eliminations begin noon (EDT) Sunday at the track about 40 miles south of Richmond.

He also would like to see a 40-event winless streak end, and his Buell might be ready to do that. He was quickest in three of four qualifying sessions to earn nine of a possible 12 qualifying bonus points.

“Our bike is really consistent right now and has responded well to the changes we have been making,” said Arana, who is seventh in Mello Yello points. “This track is one of the best I have been on, and we knew we could throw everything we have at this track to have a few solid runs.”

Arana has advanced to semifinals rounds at the last two events.

“We are always trying to run faster each round, but we wanted to figure out which direction we needed to go on Sunday,” he said. “Tonight we will go through all of the data and notes and try to put a winning combination together for tomorrow.”