ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 16, 2022) – There is something about competing in Texas that motivates Hector Arana Jr. about lifting a Wally. He made sure to make the most of that motivation and made his way to the final for the second straight year at the Texas Motorplex.
Competing in just his fifth race of the year, Arana Jr. looked like a full-season regular as he worked his way to his 16th career win, topping it with a final-round win over Jerry Savoie, 6.82 to 6.89. Arana’s last win came in Las Vegas in 2019.
Aboard his Team Arana Buell, Arana scored wins over Chip Ellis and centerline-crossing Angie Smith with runs of 6.91 and 6.92, then powered to a semifinal 6.88 to upset points leader Matt Smith, who, like his wife a round earlier, had handling issues and had to roll out of the throttle. The win avenged Arana’s loss to Smith in last year’s final here.
Former world champ Savoie reached the FallNationals Pro Stock Motorcycle final for the seventh time in the last eight years. Savoie, who scored wins in 2015, 2019, and 2020 and three straight runner-ups in 2016-18, rode his White Alligator Suzuki from the No. 9 qualifying past Marc Ingwersen, Ryan Oehler, and Steve Johnson with a 6.86 and a pair of 6.87s to reach his 33rd career final round. Savoie’s round-two win over Oehler came after low qualifier Angelle Sampey crossed the centerline against Oehler in round one.
Arana Jr. has many accolades along with his 16 career wins, including being the first rider in Pro Stock Motorcycle to surpass 200 mph on a pass.
If Arana Jr. could get back on the bike for the full season, he would clearly be a threat for the championship. Congrats Hector Arana Jr.
The battle for NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series championships continues October 28-30 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at the NHRA Nevada Nationals.
NHRA Camping World Series Pro Stock Motorcycle Point Standings (unofficial):
1 Matt Smith 2377
2 Joey Gladstone 2326 -51
3 Jerry Savoie 2274 -103
4 Steve Johnson 2259 -118
5 Angie Smith 2258 -119
6 Eddie Krawiec 2237 -140
7 Angelle Sampey 2218 -159
8 Marc Ingwersen 2171 -206
9 Karen Stoffer 2140 -237
10 Ryan Oehler 2139 -238
Photo: RPM / NHRA
See a full recap from Phil Burgess, NHRA National Dragster Editor at nhra.com:
Texas NHRA FallNationals Sunday photo gallery from NHRA National Dragster staff:
Unofficial Camping World points standings:
#HectorAranaJr #Buell #NHRA #FallNationals #StampedeOfSpeed #Texas #Ennis #Wally #PSM #ProStockMotorcycle #DragRacing #Winner #Countdown #TeamArana