Hector Arana Sr. knows what it takes to be an NHRA world champion. Back in 2009, Arana Sr. won the Pro Stock Motorcycle championship.

With a title as the barometer, Arana Sr. acknowledged the 2016 season was frustrating for him and his son/teammate Hector Arana Jr.
Arana Sr. placed 10th in the point standings and Arana Jr. was eighth.

“We didn’t start it (the season) so strongly,” Arana Sr. said. “We struggled a little bit with some parts issues and we are were trying so hard, trying to get 200 mph, but it didn’t pan out so in the end we just concentrated on trying to make perfect runs and the last two races we picked up our performance.”

Arana Sr. had one runner-up finish on the season at Gainesville, Fla., while his son also had a runner-up effort at Indianapolis.

During the final race of the season - the NHRA Finals at Pomona, Calif. – Arana Jr. led the team’s charge, advancing to the semifinals before losing to eventual race winner Matt Smith.

“It’s easier to go on to next year when we finish on a better note,” Arana Sr. said. “It was a crankshaft problem that we had. S&S (Buell) worked on their parts and there was some improvement.”

According to Arana Sr., he and his son will once again campaign Lucas Oil-sponsored Buell motorcycles in 2017.

Arana Sr., has been competing in NHRA’s Pro Stock Motorcycle class since 1990 and his fire to win is still burning, for both he and his son.

“I definitely want to be the best and I know Hector has the potential to win, not just one championship, but win more than one,” said Arana Sr., who has seven career NHRA national-event wins. “That’s my goal, I want to keep going, and I want a chance for me (to win another championship), but mainly I want him (Hector Jr.) to get his championship because he deserves it. He works hard, he’s good at it and when we get everything together, he’s going to be winning a lot of races and a lot of championships.”

Arana Jr.’s best career points finish was second in 2011. He also placed third in 2012 and 2014. He has 11 career national-event wins.

Arana Sr. said the best part of racing is the quality time he gets to spend with Hector Jr.

“Racing is something I love and mainly now it’s really the only time I get to see Hector,” Arana Sr. said. “He lives in New York now (Long Island) and it’s something special, at his age (27), and having his own house, that we can still share time together and do something together. To me, that’s everything right now.”

Arana Jr.’s fiancée is Nicole Nobile, the sister of Pro Stock driver Vincent Nobile. Arana Jr. and Nicole are slated to be married Dec. 10.

"I know he’s happy,” Arana Sr. said.