Adam Arana
Photo – Courtesy Adam Arana PR
Adam Arana is ready for the comparisons to his older brother — 2011 NHRA Road to the Future Award winner Hector Arana Jr. — and he’s ready for the comparisons to his father — 2009 Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Hector Arana Sr. — but mostly, the 21-year-old is ready to get on his Lucas Oil Buell and go fast.
“I’m excited and anxious all at the same time,” Adam said of his rookie season. “I know there’s a lot of pressure because Hector (Jr.) did so well his rookie year. He won three races, won rookie of the year, and finished second in the points. I feel like he already set the standard, and I hope to do as well.”
Adam has been preparing to race professionally for several years, and Lucas Oil co-founders Forrest and Charlotte Lucas are backing a third entry for Arana Racing this season. He will join his dad and older brother on Lucas Oil-sponsored Buells, hoping to follow in both of their footsteps.
“My goal is to get rookie of the year,” Adam said. “The way you accomplish that goal is by doing well and being successful throughout the year. You have to go rounds, stay consistent, and cut good reaction times all season.
“Everyone wants to do the best they can, but everyone has goals, too. Ultimately, I’d like to win a race, the championship, and rookie of the year, but I think the competition will be better than it was last year so it’s not going to be easy.”
Fortunately for Adam, he’ll have two solid resources while he races for the first time. His brother was in the same position two years ago, racing as a rookie, and that experience can only help Adam.
“I have more patience, and I’ve been through it, so I can relate to what Adam will go through,” Hector Jr. said. “My dad was an excellent teacher, but some things he wasn’t able to relate to because he worked his way up. Plus, it’s easier to talk to your brother. We have that close relationship.
“He should definitely be better off. I don’t see why he won’t be able to qualify in Gainesville and go rounds. We’re going to have three bikes that have been down the track, and we know they’re fast.”
Adam Arana
Photo – Courtesy Adam Arana PR
Hector Sr., too, has learned from his experience guiding Hector Arana Jr. through his rookie season.
“I’ve been saying the same things to Adam that I said to Hector,” Hector Sr. said. “Adam already knows the mistakes Hector made, so he should learn a lot quicker and do well. He can think quickly, and I can see how he rides just like Hector, who did excellent.”
Adam will ride the bike Hector Sr. rode in 2012, a bike that qualified No. 1 four times and went to two final rounds and seven semifinals.
The soft-spoken Adam has been around drag racing his entire life because his father has been racing professionally for as long as Adam has been alive. He has worked as a crew member for the last several years, tuning on his dad’s bike and then his brother’s the last two years.
Like his older brother, Adam will continue to juggle racing with college; he’s studying business at Indiana University Southeast. But when he’s at the race track, his focus will be on racing – and getting the rookie of the year award. He knows it won’t be easy because John Force‘s daughter, Brittany, is racing in Top Fuel this season.
“Her sisters both won it, and the Force name is a huge in NHRA,” Adam said.
But so is the Arana name, and Adam hopes to continue to build on his family’s successful legacy.
Adam Arana will be our next guest on Fan2Fan NHRA Talk, with Sal Sigala Monday, March 11th at 9:20pm ET. Call 347-996-5176 to interact with Adam Arana and ask your questions.
