Drag Illustrated Issue 127, November 2017 | Page 59
30 UNDER 30
RIDING
THE WAVE
LE Tonglet’s flaming-hot season
in NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle
By Nate Van Wagnen
I
n 24 hours, LE Tonglet will return to his post
as a full-time firefighter with the Jefferson Parish Fire De-
partment in Metairie, Louisiana, just outside of New Or-
leans. LE, short for Louis Earl, parts with his black, Nitro
Fish-branded Bates riding leathers one last time as the 2017
NHRA Mello Yello Series season comes to a close and the
uncertainty of the offseason looms. Tonglet just wrapped
up his winningest season to date, scoring six Pro Stock Motorcycle
Wallys in 16 races. Only one of those victories came during the
all-important Countdown to the Championship playoffs portion
of the season. The 27-year-old finished third in the final standings,
one position l