NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

It’s been four years since Hector Arana Sr. has ridden a Pro Stock Motorcycle but the 2009 NHRA world champion never once uttered the word “retired” and he has no immediate plans of doing so.

Arana Sr., who made his official Pro Stock Motorcycle debut at the 1990 U.S. Nationals and raced in Gainesville for the first time a year later, is riding the same Buell V-twin that he last rode four years ago. He's hoping to build on a career that already includes seven national event wins and a hard-fought world championship.

“I wasn’t really nervous, but I will say that my heart rate was probably a bit higher than it would normally be when I first got on the bike,” said Arana, who rode to an early shut off 7.23 on Friday. “After the first run, it was like I never left. I’ve run 6.76 before so I know how fast these bikes are today. It's really just a matter of getting my timing back as far as gear shifts and getting the clutch out. Now, that the first couple of runs are out of the way, we just need to pick up the pace and make sure we stay qualified.”

Arana isn’t sure how many races he’ll attend this year but he’s convinced that Gainesville won’t be his last. He maintains that his top priority is making sure that son, Hector Jr., has a competitive bike and is in a position to contend for the Mission Foods world championship at the end of the season.

“As long as we have enough engines and parts, I’ll stay our there but that bike [Jr’s GETTRX Buell] is the main priority. He's got a bike that can win the championship and that's out goal."