Nov.01.2024Justin Arias Readies for Nostalgia Ride at FHDRS!
Generations of racers have relied on Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School to hone their skills and improve their performance both on and off the track. Recently, Justin Arias obtained his Super Comp competition license and is poised to pursue a fast-paced future in the nostalgia racing community.
The Arias name has been well-known in the aftermarket performance industry for generations, but Justin’s legacy is even more encompassing than the piston company that his paternal grandfather, Nick Arias, founded in 1969. Justin’s maternal grandfather, Steve Gibbs, was the Competition Director for NHRA for nearly fifty years and worked directly under the late Wally Parks. “Both are in the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame and they’re tough acts to follow,” laughed Justin, 30, who had always been encouraged – but never pressured – to follow in the family’s footsteps.
Growing up, Justin raced go-karts at various tracks in southern California and often accompanied his father, Nick Arias III, to Bonneville. He has a diehard love for true nostalgia drag racing, so, when a friend offered Justin the opportunity to drive his 7.0 Pro front-engine dragster – which Justin’s father had also driven when Justin was young – he knew he couldn’t miss the chance. And, with an ultimate goal of racing in Nostalgia Top Fuel, Justin took the first steps toward making his dream a reality by attending Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 2-3, 2024.
“It’s easy to get jaded by 300 mph cars,” shared Justin, who works in sales at Arias Pistons and is surrounded by high-horsepower applications all day, “but I have tremendous respect for Sportsman racers. Letting off the trans brake in the School’s Super Comp dragster and going 160+ mph, well, it’s really fast, especially being so low to the ground.”
Although Justin felt comfortable in the car, he was careful to truly listen to Frank Hawley’s sage wisdom and sound instruction. “Frank has so much to share, even things that don’t have to do with actually driving the car, but that can be applied to the mind and life in general,” Justin said, fascinated by Hawley’s lectures. “Frank puts a lot of faith in his students, never rushes things, is always patient, and that made me want to do well and make him proud.”
For Justin, being a third-generation student at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School was definitely monumental. Growing up, he idolized Hawley and followed his racing career with passion, so, having his hero as his instructor made the entire experience that much more memorable. “This was my first time in a full-blown competition dragster and it was amazing. It felt like I had a friend teaching me and having Frank set me up and put me in the beams was so rad,” added Justin. “I’m impressed with how well the School’s cars are put together, too.”
Having a driver in his class with the iconic Arias last name was special for Frank Hawley. “I told Justin that when I was a kid, the first set of brand-new pistons I bought was from Nick Arias, his grandfather,” laughed the School’s founder. “It will be very cool to see the Arias name back on the racetrack. Justin drove well and we wish him the best!”
Having successfully completed the class, Justin was awarded his NHRA license in Super Comp which permits him to go as quickly as 7.50 seconds in the quarter-mile. To run in the 7.0 category, though, he will have to upgrade to an Advanced ET license and already has plans to do so. “I’m obsessed with nostalgia drag racing and ‘60s Top Fuel,” he affirmed. “If I can’t travel back in time, then the closest thing I can do is run in the nostalgia classes with a blown alcohol front-engine dragster, and getting my Super Comp license at Frank Hawley’s was the first step in that process!”
Written by Ainsley Jacobs
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