BRAINERD, Minn. – LE Tonglet and the Nitro Fish/Tonglet Racing Pro Stock Motorcycle team hope to erase some bad memories of his first visit to Brainerd International Raceway Friday when the 30th annual Lucas Oil Nationals begins its three-day run.
Tonglet qualified third a year ago before a first-round engine failure almost ended his season. Gary Tonglet came up with enough money to have the motor repaired and LE went on to win the Full Throttle Series crown in stunning fashion after Nitro Fish owner Kenny Koretsky provided the sponsorship during the deciding six races.
This is the ninth of 10 regular-season events that send the top 10 drivers into the Countdown to the Championship. Tonglet comes to the Brainerd Lakes area third in points (567) and confident following his third win of the season July 31 at Sonoma, Calif.
“We won races earlier in the season (at Atlanta and Chicago) and then we would go out (of eliminations) early, or something would happen.” Tonglet recalled. “Now, we just need to stay on top and win rounds on Sunday to get us ready for the playoffs. If we do that, we have a good shot at repeating last year’s finish.
“We are going to go back to last year’s old tune-ups from the last six races,” he added with a chuckle. “We are going to have all the information ready . . . and we are hoping for the same outcome.”
Tonglet did take some time away from the racing environment during the two-plus weeks between events. “I went to Florida with a bunch of friends and didn’t have to think about racing. It is stressful,” he remarked.
“Now we are coming to the races that really count. You have to have everything right for the Countdown. We have a very fast bike and we are back in Nitro Fish blue this weekend. I’m looking forward to the race.”
Tonglet qualified third a year ago before a first-round engine failure almost ended his season. Gary Tonglet came up with enough money to have the motor repaired and LE went on to win the Full Throttle Series crown in stunning fashion after Nitro Fish owner Kenny Koretsky provided the sponsorship during the deciding six races.
This is the ninth of 10 regular-season events that send the top 10 drivers into the Countdown to the Championship. Tonglet comes to the Brainerd Lakes area third in points (567) and confident following his third win of the season July 31 at Sonoma, Calif.
“We won races earlier in the season (at Atlanta and Chicago) and then we would go out (of eliminations) early, or something would happen.” Tonglet recalled. “Now, we just need to stay on top and win rounds on Sunday to get us ready for the playoffs. If we do that, we have a good shot at repeating last year’s finish.
“We are going to go back to last year’s old tune-ups from the last six races,” he added with a chuckle. “We are going to have all the information ready . . . and we are hoping for the same outcome.”
Tonglet did take some time away from the racing environment during the two-plus weeks between events. “I went to Florida with a bunch of friends and didn’t have to think about racing. It is stressful,” he remarked.
“Now we are coming to the races that really count. You have to have everything right for the Countdown. We have a very fast bike and we are back in Nitro Fish blue this weekend. I’m looking forward to the race.”
