Tonglet looking for additional sponsorship

LE Tonglet with Hector Arana Jr. last year at Brainerd.  (Michael Fischbeck photo)

LE Tonglet, the 2010 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, will be decked out in his familiar Nitro Fish Racing Gear when the two-wheel series opens its 2012 season at the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., March 9-11.

That is one of eight races currently on team owner Gary Tonglet’s tentative schedule.

“I made a one-race commitment to LE and Gary,” said Nitro Fish owner Kenny Koretsky. “After Gainesville, the motorcycles don’t race again for six weeks.  During that time, we hope to add another marketing partner to help them through the remainder of the season.”

Although he encountered mechanical problems during the 2011 season, Tonglet still won races at Atlanta, Chicago, Sonoma, Calif., and Brainerd, Minn. and placed seventh overall. His victory at Chicago was especially sweet because he made a monumental rebound after not qualifying – for the only time in his career – at the previous event at Norwalk, Ohio.

“We’re working hard to get our Nitro Fish/Tonglet Racing Suzuki ready for Gainesville,” commented Gary Tonglet. “LE hasn’t ridden since the Finals at Pomona (last November), but you know that we will give it our best shot and see what happens. [3/5/2012]

‘Snake’ added to SPEED Performer of the Year voting panel

Drag racing legend Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and Motorcycle Hall of Fame racer Scott Russell join the voting panel for the annual SPEED Performer of the Year. The winner receives the Mario Andretti Trophy.

Mario Andretti with The Mario Andretti Trophy. The trophy, a true work of art created by bronze sculptor Elie Hazak, stands 38 inches tall and weighs 95 pounds. It features eight cars, including six of the most important in Mario’s rise to superstardom, as well as an array of artistic symbolism that captures the essence of the trophy’s namesake.  (photo courtesy SPEED)

“Adding panelists of this caliber strengthens the breadth of the award,” Andretti said. “The goal is to make this a trophy that every racer wants in his or her collection, and part of that comes from ensuring everyone that the voting panel is knowledgeable, credible and fully aware of what it takes to reach a special level of excellence in all forms of motor sports.”

In addition to Prudhomme and Russell, SPEED Center host Adam Alexander also joins the voting panel for 2012, bringing the number of SPEED Performer of the Year voters to 21.

The SPEED Performer of the Year award, now in its seventh season, is presented annually the racer who puts a premium on winning races, shines on motor sports’ biggest stages and does it all with a measure of sportsmanship and class.

The SPEED Performer of the Year panel includes racing legends named above, as well as "Wind Tunnel" host Dave Despain, veteran broadcasters Varsha, Ralph Sheheen and Leigh Diffey, SPEED.com writers Robin Miller and Tom Jensen, versatile racers Tommy Kendall and Dorsey Schroeder and a select group of SPEED motor sports producers. [3/5/2012]