So far, Lucas Oil Buell rider Hector Arana Jr. has been fastest every time the Pro Stock Motorcycle class has run at the 33rd annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.

The reigning NHRA Rookie of the Year hopes to keep that streak going four more times on Sunday.

Arana Jr. topped all four qualifying sessions, earning 12 bonus points, and earned his first No. 1 qualifier of the season after leading the class with seven during his rookie season in 2011. Now, he hopes to parlay that into his first victory of the season.

"This weekend, the most important thing is to be consistent," said Arana Jr., whose pole-winning run was 7.238 seconds at 184.57 mph. "All runs were .23 to .25 in the heat or the cool weather. It's really awesome, and I'm really excited.

"We haven't really made big adjustments, just teeny-tiny little adjustments. As you can see, we've been very consistent. The goal is to do that tomorrow."

Arana Jr. has been to two final rounds in 2012, including at the most recent race, in Norwalk, Ohio. Plus, he's reached the semifinals in the last three races as he chases the top two riders in the Pro Stock Motorcycle points standings.

"Getting everything together, getting all the little bugs worked out, getting all our new things lined up - just like last year, everything's coming together," said Arana Jr., who charged from 17th in points after the first race of 2011 to finish second. "Hopefully, with more experience that I have, we'll try to get a championship."

He'll need to garner as many points as possible, just as he's done in Denver.

"It's real big, anything we can do to try to sneak up on those Harleys," Arana Jr. said. "Those guys are a real strong team and they do an excellent job. The turnaround is coming at the right time, right before the Countdown. I'm really excited."

Harley-Davidsons have won all six races in 2012, but with Arana Jr. and his dad, Hector Arana Sr., going 1-2 in qualifying, that streak is in jeopardy.

"It'd be great to have two Lucas Oil bikes in the finals," Arana Jr. said, "and break that streak in the finals."

Photo by Matt Polito