The inspiration of watching his father and brother win in Pro Stock Motorcycle was enough to propel LE Tonglet to his day in the sun, albeit in the darkness of the NHRA Route 66 Nationals.

Tonglet scored his first career national event win, beating Steve Johnson at a rain-drenched Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill.

“My emotions are running so high it’s indescribable,” said Tonglet during his first-ever NHRA press conference. “I’ve been waiting for this moment all of my life. Seeing my brother and my dad compete out here, and they’ve won a time or two, but in having my own is just awesome. I can’t thank my dad enough for doing this out of his own pocket. This win will provide a huge boost going into New Jersey and Norwalk.”

The inspiration of watching his father and brother win in Pro Stock Motorcycle was enough to propel LE Tonglet to his day in the sun, albeit in the darkness of the NHRA Route 66 Nationals.

Tonglet scored his first career national event win, beating Steve Johnson at a rain-drenched Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill.

“My emotions are running so high it’s indescribable,” said Tonglet during his first-ever NHRA press conference. “I’ve been waiting for this moment all of my life. Seeing my brother and my dad compete out here, and they’ve won a time or two, but in having my own is just awesome. I can’t thank my dad enough for doing this out of his own pocket. This win will provide a huge boost going into New Jersey and Norwalk.”

The win will provide a financial boost for this weekend’s Englishtown, NJ., event but Norwalk is still up in the air. The Tonglets, spearhead by patriarch Gary, and assisted by LE’s brother GT, are on a race-by-race basis and self-funded.

“This was a huge win towards our efforts,” Tonglet admitted.

Tonglet was just two races removed from his first career final round where he finished runner-up to Michael Philips. Ironically it was Philips who provided his pre-final advice just to keeps his wits on the starting line.

“I was in the finals in St. Louis and we had a quicker reaction but Mike just went around us,” Tonglet recalled. “I just did my best to stay calm and I did with an .011 light and was able to drive around Steve.”

The team has found a few performance advantages which they feel will help the bike to perform better. The improved performance is what Tonglet is banking on will bring forth something equally important.

“In Atlanta we found issues and it came out here flying,” Tonglet said. “We are changing the same issue we had coming into the next race. This will boost my dad’s spirits and his itch to go racing.”

A smiling Tonglet then revealed his true desire.

“I want to be out here full time,” he conveyed.