JEGS/CRA Series Team News - Cody Coughlin Calm And Focused Heading Into Illiana 100

SCHERERVILLE, May 12, 2011: Although he's just 15 years old, rookie Late Model Stock Car racer Cody Coughlin brings the focus of a veteran to this Saturday's Illiana 100 presented by JEGS.com at Illiana Motor Speedway.

Coughlin and his JEGS.com Chevrolet crew weren't happy with the start to the 2011 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour presented by GM Performance Parts, which ended with Coughlin getting unceremoniously collected in a first lap crash at Toledo Speedway. It may have been one of those racing things that happen to everyone, but it only served to increase the intensity of Coughlin, a past .25 Midget Heavy Mod champion.

"We put a lot of time and effort into getting ready for the season," Coughlin said. "We were really up for a big start and we just didn't get it. All you can do in those situations is put it behind you and move on, which is exactly what we've done. We're ready to start fresh at Illiana and have a big race. No one wants to have a bigger weekend than us."

Surrounded by a family full of world champion racers, as well as good friend Landon Cassill and crew chief Rich Lushes, Coughlin knows racing fortunes can be fickle. He also has learned the value of being patient and keeping his eye on the goals set in the preseason.

"There's a list of things we want to do this year," Coughlin said. "We want to contend for race titles, we want to finish races every time out, we want to race smart, and we'd like to be in the voting for Rookie of the Year.

"The main thing is keeping it all simple. We'll test as much as we can and race hard and clean at each event. If we do that, all the other things will come to us."

The Illiana 100 presented by JEGS.com begins at 7 p.m. CST, Saturday, at Illiana Motor Speedway. Gates open at 1 p.m. with practice set for 3 p.m. Professional qualifying is slated for 5:45 p.m. Aside from Late Model action, racing in the INEX Legends and Illiana Pure Stock divisions also will take place.

For more information on the race or the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour presented by GM Performance Parts, visit www.craracing.net.