LE Tonglet Takes First Win Since 2011 | NHRA Drag Racing
Pro Stock Motorcycle racer LE Tonglet, won his first race since the Brainerd event in 2011, defeating Andrew Hines in the final at the 2016 Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway. Tonglet, who is the 2010 Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion, had the winning run of 6.813 at 196.73 to the losing run of 6.864 at 194.52
“It has been five years since we have won, and to bring home the Wally after beating Andrew and Eddie back to back is just huge for our team,” said Tonglet. “We just come out here to have fun, and it wasn’t getting fun. We had to change somethings up and started getting round-wins, and it is just great.”
Andrew Hines had a chance to win his third straight race in Pro Stock Motorcycle, but LE Tonglet had other ideas. Tonglet, far lane, won his first race since 2011 when he rode to a 6.813 to 6.864 win in the final round.
Photo: NHRA
Three-time champion Angelle Sampey made the best run of her career and tied for the second-best run in the history of the Pro Stock Motorcycle class with a 6.730. Sampey also posted the second-best speed with a 199.76-mph blast.
Photo: NHRA
Matt Smith helped solidify his spot in the Countdown to the Championship with a respectable quarterfinal effort. Smith rode his Victory Gunner to a 6.817 in his round-one win over Michael Ray but lost a close battle to Andrew Hines in the second round following a tense staging duel.
Photo: NHRA
Andrew Hines won his semifinal battle against Hector Arana Jr., who fouled. For Hines, it marked his 14th straight round-win, including Saturday’s NHRA Pro Bike Battle.
Photo: NHRA
PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE (following the eigth of 16 events)
| Place | Rider | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Eddie Krawiec | Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson | 824 |
| 2. | Andrew Hines | Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson | 735 |
| 3. | Angelle Sampey | Precision Service Equipment Buell | 595 |
| 4. | Jerry Savoie | Savoie’s Alligator Farm Suzuki | 556 |
| 5. | LE Tonglet | Nitro Fish Suzuki | 484 |
| 6. | Hector Arana Sr. | Lucas Oil Buell | 427 |
| 7. | Chip Ellis | PiranaZ Buell | 422 |
| 8. | Matt Smith | Nitro Fish Victory | 344 |
| 9. | Hector Arana Jr. | Lucas Oil Racing TVI Buell | 305 |
| 10. | Steve Johnson | RaceTheVote.com Suzuki | 300 |
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