PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

John Hall claimed his first career win after rookie Adam Arana, who was making his first finals appearance, fouled with a red-light start on his ProtectTheHarvest.com/MAV-TV Buell in the final. Hall went 6.924 at 193.93 on his Viper Motorcycle Company Buell en route to the victory.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” said Hall, a Hamden, Conn., resident who was also making his first final round appearance.  “It’s just a special time. We needed it and it came at the right time and close to home. We’re just happy to be here. I can’t thank everybody enough. Matt Smith Racing has opened up a door of opportunity for me, and it’s worked out great.”

Hall, who moved to second in points behind Hector Arana Jr., knocked off Smith in the second round before beating LE Tonglet in the semifinals. Hall was also able to keep calm leading into his first finals appearance.

“You just have to stay focused and not do anything you’re going to regret,” Hall said. “I made some mistakes last year and I’m just trying to not do that this year.”

Michael Ray was the number one qualifier at Epping with a 6.832/197.05, but lost on a holeshot by Adam Arana in the semifinal. Arana was off the line in 0.032-seconds and ran 6.918 while Ray’s quicker 6.909 could not make up the difference of his 0.052 RT.

After scoring his first round-win at the previous race in Englishtown NJ, the younger Arana brother advanced to a final in his fifth career race. He also climbed three spots to ninth place in the Pro Stock Motorcycle points standings.

In Epping Arana qualified the ProtectTheHarvest.com/MAVTV Buell in the No. 5 position and defeated Jim Underdahl, Steve Johnson, and Michael Ray in eliminations before fouling out in the final round against John Hall.

"I am happy, I am comfortable on the bike, and everything is going smooth," Arana said. "Besides that (final) round, my reaction times were all consistent and my worst was a 0.040."

The 21-year-old rider has no time to let this defeat get to him as he heads to the O'Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals next weekend at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.

"I am happy and I am looking forward to next weekend," Arana said. "I am glad we don't have a long break because I am feeling hot."

Arana's solid performance helped him crack the top 10 in the points for the first time in his career.