Coughlin Goes Out In Second Round In Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nov 1, 2010: Jeg Coughlin Jr. is used to hitting the jackpot when he races at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but Sunday he left the game earlier than he is used to.

Coughlin and the JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt won their first round Pro Stock matchup against Dave Connolly at the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, but Greg Anderson denied Coughlin a sixth career Sin City win with a hole shot in the second round.

"We got nipped on a close hole shot there," Coughlin said. "They never go over well with the driver. On the bright side we had a car that qualified third, which was our best qualifying effort in months. It's still together after six runs."

In the first round, Coughlin used a 6.645 second pass at 206.61 mph over Connolly, who won in Reading last time out but had a 6.677 at 207.40 mph.

In the second round, Coughlin had a 6.659 second pass at 206.61 mph, which was quicker than Anderson's 6.663 at 207.56 mph. However Anderson enjoyed a .013-second advantage at the starting line, which was enough to edge him over the finish line first.

"It was one of those rounds we needed to get away with," Coughlin said. "Their performance didn't get any worse, but ours slowed down just a hair. It was enough to make it a tough drag race.

"Greg has done a heck of a job during the Countdown, and done extremely well in those pressure situations."

Coughlin has one more chance at a victory in 2010 at the Nov. 11-14 Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona.

"Pomona is probably my favorite track," Coughlin said. "It's probably my favorite track and a stage as big a Las Vegas. This race brings in fans from around the world."