Seems possible that the pilot was given clearance to take off on 22 while he was still taxiing to the runway. 26 would have been the first runway he came to. Any pilots out there ever get clearance to take off while in transit to the runway?
I don't think that happens. My dad flew us all the time in a Piper Aerostar. We always had to wait at the end of the taxiway, he did his final checks, received clearance for takeoff, then we I think we pulled onto the runway (can't quite remember if we pulled onto the runway before asking for clearance).
I give these clearances all the time. A lot of times pilots who are taxiing toward the runway will call and say "we'll be ready at the end", at which time, if I have no other traffic, I'll clear 'em for takeoff.
"Any pilots out there ever get clearance to take off while in transit to the runway?"
No clue. I was a flight attendant for United and saw some mighty angry pilots who had a bone to pick with some air traffic controllers upon landing. Apparently they were allowing us to share a runway with another plane!