We interrupt this battle for the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Championship to bring you a guest appearance by Hector Arana Jr.
By Kevin McKenna | Photos by Matt Polito
Arana Jr., the first rider to officially run over 200-mph on an NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle, has run just five races this year, as he continues to search for sponsorship, 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 championship 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 Alligator 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 accomplished 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.
“This was definitely not an easy win. I knew [after qualifying] on Saturday that I had a tough day ahead of me,” Arana said. “We did well in testing and that gave us the confidence we needed to come here. Then we got behind the eight-ball on Friday. The bike wasn’t exactly where we wanted it to be so we made a few changes. I did much better on Saturday and that was an awesome confidence booster. I made it to the final here last year and it’s so cool to come back and win this race. I feel like I’m back on my A-game.”
VIDEO | Hector Arana Jr. wins in Dallas
Savoie reached the final round in Dallas for the seventh time in the past eight years by defeating Marc Ingwersen, Ryan Oehler and Steve Johnson. It’s also his third final this season.
“I don’t know what it is about this place, but we have a great record here,” Savoie said. “I love this track and it loves me back. I just wish we could have done a little better job in the final round.”
As for the championship battle, Matt Smith was well on his way to a commanding lead before Arana Jr. slowed him in the semifinal round.
With two races remaining, Smith now holds a 51-point lead over Fatheadz Suzuki’s Joey Gladstone, who lost in round two when he red-lighted against Steve Johnson.
VIDEO | Angelle Sampey on Friday in Dallas
Savoie, Steve Johnson, Angie Smith, Eddie Krawiec and Angelle Sampey are each mathematically in the running for the title, but they are all at least 100 points back, which means they’d likely have to reach the final round at the final two events and hope that Smith and Gladstone stumble.
The Camping World NHRA Drag Racing Series heads to Las Vegas on October 28-30 for the penultimate event of the 15-round championship.
2022 NHRA Fall Nationals Results
Final finish order (1-16)
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE:
1. Hector Arana Jr; 2. Jerry Savoie; 3. Steve Johnson; 4. Matt Smith; 5. Angie Smith; 6. Eddie Krawiec; 7. Ryan Oehler; 8. Angie Smith; 9. Marc Ingwersen; 10. Jianna Evaristo; 11. Chip Ellis; 12. Gaige Herrera; 13. Angelle Sampey; 14. Karen Stoffer; 15. Richard Gadson; 16. Chris Bostick.
Final
- Hector Arana Jr. (Bue)
- Jerry Savoie (Suz)
Click here to read the 2022 NHRA Fall Nationals race report in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.
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