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Front-runner Rookie of the Year candidate LE Tonglet came to Maple Grove Raceway on an impressive streak of three consecutive Pro Stock Motorcycle victories and looking to snatch the points lead from Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Andrew Hines, who has been at the top of the standings since winning the national event in Brainerd in August. Hines showed up at the lushly landscaped Reading race with a 44 point advantage over Tonglet, and prior to the event, Tonglet stated his own intentions.

"We are going to keep our heads on straight," said Nitro Fish Suzuki rider Tonglet, whose team consists of his father Gary, the tuner, and brother GT, the crew chief. "Everything [has been] working to our advantage. We want to keep up the momentum and stay strong at all three races. Then we’ll see how everything plays out."

 Front-runner Rookie of the Year candidate LE Tonglet came to Maple Grove Raceway on an impressive streak of three consecutive Pro Stock Motorcycle victories and looking to snatch the points lead from Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Andrew Hines, who has been at the top of the standings since winning the national event in Brainerd in August. Hines showed up at the lushly landscaped Reading race with a 44 point advantage over Tonglet, and prior to the event, Tonglet stated his own intentions.

"We are going to keep our heads on straight," said Nitro Fish Suzuki rider Tonglet, whose team consists of his father Gary, the tuner, and brother GT, the crew chief. "Everything [has been] working to our advantage. We want to keep up the momentum and stay strong at all three races. Then we’ll see how everything plays out."

By the conclusion of the first session of qualifying, it was evident that the Harley-Davidson team was armed and ready to protect their position in the standings, though, and while Tonglet rode to a 7.031 and initially landed in the No. 7 spot, Eddie Krawiec ripped off a track-record setting 6.893. Teammate Hines wasn't too far off with a 6.921.

In the second session, Tonglet improved to a 6.907 that wasn't enough with Krawiec's also-improved 6.855 at 195.85 mph that easily protected the pole and reset both ends of the track record.

Hines has yet to win at Maple Grove Raceway, but his brother and crew chief, Matt, won at the historic track three times (1997, 1999, and 2000). Krawiec won the Toyo Tires title in 2009 and looks to defend his title.

This weekend is Tonglet's first shot at the event win, obviously, but his brother, GT, holds the track record for speed at 194.77 mph set at the 2001 event.

 

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