CONCORD, N.C. – At this time last year, LE Tonglet was a virtually unknown Pro Stock Motorcycle rider who earned the No. 7 starting position for NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
Six races later, his amazing performance would be categorized as unbelievable because the rookie won four of the six races, was runner-up once and clinched the coveted title of Full Throttle Series champion in the final race at Pomona, Calif.
Tonglet’s 2011 efforts aboard the Nitro Fish/Tonglet Racing Suzuki GSXR produced four victories in 10 races and proved the success he had with his dad Gary, the team owner and tuner, and brother GT was not an aberration. He’ll begin defending his championship as the No. 2 seed when the 2011 Countdown gets underway with the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, Friday through Sunday, at zMAX Dragway.
After a slow start to the season, Tonglet rallied to win three of the last five series events. “We’re feeling confident,” he commented. “If you aren’t confident, you aren’t going to perform at your best. We want to go rounds and be consistent. That’s what it takes.”
That’s the formula the team used a year ago when he won the U.S. Nationals to open the Countdown. He made it two straight with a victory at zMAX Dragway and added a third the next weekend at Dallas.
“When we won the Countdown, we were very consistent,” Tonglet added, “and we seem to be getting back to that same track we had last year. We’re ready. We sent our motor back (to engine builders Vance and Hinds after the U.S. Nationals, Sept. 5) to get it ready for the Countdown.”
“I am excited for LE and the team,” said Nitro Fish owner Kenny Koretsky. “I think they have a good shot at winning the championship again. They have been working hard for it.”
This is the first of three consecutive races for the team. Stops at Dallas (Sept. 25) and Reading, Pa. (Oct. 2) follow.
Six races later, his amazing performance would be categorized as unbelievable because the rookie won four of the six races, was runner-up once and clinched the coveted title of Full Throttle Series champion in the final race at Pomona, Calif.
Tonglet’s 2011 efforts aboard the Nitro Fish/Tonglet Racing Suzuki GSXR produced four victories in 10 races and proved the success he had with his dad Gary, the team owner and tuner, and brother GT was not an aberration. He’ll begin defending his championship as the No. 2 seed when the 2011 Countdown gets underway with the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, Friday through Sunday, at zMAX Dragway.
After a slow start to the season, Tonglet rallied to win three of the last five series events. “We’re feeling confident,” he commented. “If you aren’t confident, you aren’t going to perform at your best. We want to go rounds and be consistent. That’s what it takes.”
That’s the formula the team used a year ago when he won the U.S. Nationals to open the Countdown. He made it two straight with a victory at zMAX Dragway and added a third the next weekend at Dallas.
“When we won the Countdown, we were very consistent,” Tonglet added, “and we seem to be getting back to that same track we had last year. We’re ready. We sent our motor back (to engine builders Vance and Hinds after the U.S. Nationals, Sept. 5) to get it ready for the Countdown.”
“I am excited for LE and the team,” said Nitro Fish owner Kenny Koretsky. “I think they have a good shot at winning the championship again. They have been working hard for it.”
This is the first of three consecutive races for the team. Stops at Dallas (Sept. 25) and Reading, Pa. (Oct. 2) follow.
