Refreshed Arana Jr. ready to make Brainerd first victory of season

Hector Arana Jr.

Photo by: Michael C. Johnson

Arana Jr., who battled a stomach bug this week, qualified No. 3 with a pass of 6.894 seconds at 193.13 mph - and then posted the quickest elapsed times in both sessions Saturday.

"I don't know if it was the flu or if I got food poisoning or what, but since Monday night, I haven't really been able to eat," Arana Jr. said. "I got real sick. I finally was able to get food down, and I finally had some energy and feel good. I finally don't feel like my stomach's real tight and tired. That's what happened to me Friday. My riding wasn't there, my concentration was off, just not feeling good.

"But I feel good today and am ready to go tomorrow."

Arana Jr. should be feeling good, as he earned six bonus points for leading both qualifying sessions Saturday. He went 6.924 seconds at 191.1 mph in Q3, and then lowered that to 6.894 at 193.13 mph in Q4 that was nearly four-hundredths quicker than the field.

"This bike's running good and consistent," Arana Jr. said. "We were low of the session both runs today, so it's definitely a big confidence booster. I'm feeling good - finally feeling better - and I'm ready for tomorrow. We're going to go out there, have fun and fly my sponsor's colors - Lucas Oil."

Arana Jr. has qualified third or better for 13 consecutive races, including all eight races this season. He races Mike Berry in the first round of eliminations Sunday after Berry qualified No. 14 with a pass of 7.029 seconds at 190.27 mph.

Arana Jr. has won at least two rounds in seven of the eight races this season, including the last five in a row.

"It's always cool to fly your sponsor's colors," Arana Jr. said, "but to do it at their race, it just makes you feel like you're part of something big."

Source: Lucas Oil