INDIANAPOLIS – The last time LE Tonglet raced newcomer Hector Arana III was in the Pro Stock Motorcycle final round at Brainerd, Minn. 15 days ago, and Tonglet collected his second consecutive victory and fourth of the season.
When the two met in Monday’s second round of the 57th Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, it was the rookie rider who got the win light on a much cooler day at Lucas Oil Raceway. The outcome, however, did not prevent Tonglet from securing the No. 2 seed for the upcoming Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
A cold weather front that come into the Indianapolis area late Sunday accounted for a temperature drop from 95 to 59 degrees and remained in the high 60s, creating much better racing conditions.
Tonglet opened competition with his quickest run of the weekend, 6.925 seconds at 189.44 mph, to oust Steve Johnson (7.252 at 152.90). In the second round, however, Arana left first and held the lead down the quarter-mile. His winning time was 6.912 at 191.10 to Tonglet’s 6.936 at 189.42.
“Oh well . . . that’s racing,” said Tonglet. “We just got out run. I’m glad this wasn’t a Countdown race. We are happy to be starting the Countdown in second place.”
He finished the regular season with 741 points. Eddie Krawiec leads the way with 789.
“Our motor has been slowing down,” said team owner Gary Tonglet, “but we are going to send it to the doctor’s office (motorcycle engine builders Vance and Hines’ shop) to get it ready for the Countdown.”
Point totals will be reset before the six-race playoffs get under way Sept. 16 at Concord, N.C.
When the two met in Monday’s second round of the 57th Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, it was the rookie rider who got the win light on a much cooler day at Lucas Oil Raceway. The outcome, however, did not prevent Tonglet from securing the No. 2 seed for the upcoming Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
A cold weather front that come into the Indianapolis area late Sunday accounted for a temperature drop from 95 to 59 degrees and remained in the high 60s, creating much better racing conditions.
Tonglet opened competition with his quickest run of the weekend, 6.925 seconds at 189.44 mph, to oust Steve Johnson (7.252 at 152.90). In the second round, however, Arana left first and held the lead down the quarter-mile. His winning time was 6.912 at 191.10 to Tonglet’s 6.936 at 189.42.
“Oh well . . . that’s racing,” said Tonglet. “We just got out run. I’m glad this wasn’t a Countdown race. We are happy to be starting the Countdown in second place.”
He finished the regular season with 741 points. Eddie Krawiec leads the way with 789.
“Our motor has been slowing down,” said team owner Gary Tonglet, “but we are going to send it to the doctor’s office (motorcycle engine builders Vance and Hines’ shop) to get it ready for the Countdown.”
Point totals will be reset before the six-race playoffs get under way Sept. 16 at Concord, N.C.
