South Louisiana area races fared quite well at the 2018 NHRA AAA Nationals held at the Texas Motoplex in Ennis, TX. New Orleans native LE Tonglet took home the Pro Stock Motorcycle crown by outrunning his teammate, Cut Off native Jerry Savioe. The Jefferson Parish fireman covered the quarter mile in 6.892 seconds at almost 195 mph to squeak by the alligator farmer from down the bayou by a few hundredths of a second. Sportsman racer Craig Bourgeois of Metairie raced to a semi-final finish in the Competition Eliminator category in his dragster.
LE Tonglet (center)celebrates in the winner’s circle with his Cut Off, LA based White Alligator Racing teammate Jerry Savoie(L)Jefferson Parish firefighter and former NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Champion LE Tonglet launches off the starting line in route to a victory at the 2018 NHRA AAA Nationals in Ennis, TXLE Tonglet (holding trophy) celebrates in the winner’s circle with his Cut Off, LA based White Alligator Racing teammatesGary Tonglet, PSM winner LE Tonglet’s father, receives congratulations from Top Fuel Champ Steve Torrence following Gary’s son LE’s winFormer NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Champion and Cut Off, LA resident Jerry Savioe on his White Alligator Racing Suzuki. Jerry would finish the day in the Runner Up position, losing to teammate LE Tonglet in the final.Jerry Savoie preps for another pass on his 200 mph SuzukiScott Palmer qualified his Cat Spot top fuel dragster in the number 12 spot with a 3.82 second run at 326 mphFormer Pro Stock World Champ and New Orleans resident Eric Enders qualified well in her Elite Motorsports Camaro and advanced to the second round of competitionKebin Kinsley put his Road Rage Top Fueler in the show in the number 8 spot with a 3.80 second run.Top Fuel World Champions Steve Torrence (L) and Antron Brown ( R) taking in the action with NFL Hall of Famer Tim BrownRobert Hight captured the win in Funny CarTV personality Richard Rawlings of Gas Monkey Garage fame taking in the actionSteve Torrence captured the win in Top Fuel19 year old Tanner Gray took home the win in Pro Stock.Steve Torrence’s team celebrate winning the Top Fuel title at the 2018 NHRA AAA NationalsLuling native Angelle Sampey advanced to the second round of PSM competition, losing to eventual winner LE Tonglet