LE Tonglet continued his storybook Pro Stock Motorcycle season Sunday when he wrapped up his third consecutive victory – and second in two weeks in NHRA’s Countdown to 1 – in the Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex to move within 44 points of first place.
The rookie driver of Kenny Koretsky’s Nitro Fish Suzuki GSXR made it three straight final-round wins over series leader Andrew Hines when Hines fouled out by six-thousandths of a second in the title round. His winning run was 6.972 seconds at 187.94 mph.
“It can’t get much better than this,” said a smiling Tonglet. “I wasn’t very confident Saturday night because we stumbled in qualifying, but my dad (Gary Tonglet, team owner) decided to make some drastic changes (Sunday) and the bike came around. It was very impressive after that . . . and we went on to win it.”
Tonglet began his title run by defeating Michael Phillips, 7.003 second to 187.03 mph to 7.053 at 186.876 and Karen Stoffer, 6.920 at 187.73 to 7.247 at 152.71. His closest race was against Eddie Krawiec, Hines teammate, in the semifinals. Tonglet’s quicker reaction time got him there first, 6.969 at 187.08 to 6.969 at 187.68.
“We had some people from home (Metairie, La.) and a bunch of friends here to watch us,” he added. “It’s just awesome.”
LE, 20, now has four victories in five final rounds with three Countdown races remaining.
“My dad said he’s hungry for the championship and that we were going for it,” he said. “We want to keep the momentum. We are the underdogs and we aren’t feeling the pressure.”