---

NHRA: Jeg Coughlin, Jr. to Defend First Pro Stock Win

28 October 1998

In 1997 Jeg Coughlin, Jr. won his first NHRA Pro Stock victory at the Matco Tools Super Nationals. This win was historic for a number of reasons. It was only his second race behind the wheel of a NHRA Pro Stock car. This win propelled him to be the first driver in NHRA history to win national events in four separate competition classes (Super Stock, Competition Eliminator, Super Gas, and Pro Stock) in a single season. He also became the second member of the Federal Mogul's Speed Pro 200-Mph Club at this event.

This young and extremely talented driver will be the defending champion at the 2nd Annual Matco Tools Super Nationals (Oct. 29th -Nov. 1st). Jeg is the leading candiate for 1998 NHRA rookie of the year. Over the weekend Jeg was nominated for the Automobile Club Of Southern California "Road To The Future Award". "I am truly honored to be nominated for this prestigious award. Just being among the nominees gives me a since of pride and accomplishment," said Jeg Coughlin, Jr.

Jeg has had a very successful season so far in 1998. He is currently in the #2 position in the 1998 NHRA Winston Pro Stock Championship with 1328 points. The battle for the #2 spot is one to watch, Jeg is ahead of Kurt by a mere 26 points with two races remaining in the 1998 NHRA season. Jeg stated, "Our entire team is working extremely well together. My father has assembled a championship caliber team." The entire JEG'S Mail Order Racing Team will begin testing for the 1999 NHRA season in early December and will be a contender for the 1999 NHRA Winston Pro Stock Championship.

His season has been filled with ups and downs. Jeg has won 3 Pro Stock national events, is the second member of Federal Mogul's Speed Pro 200-Mph Club, and was the #1 qualifier at the Mac Tools Gatornationals this year. With two DNQ's under his belt in 1998 this driver has taken it all in stride. "I have always said that you must experience the bad to appreciate the good. The consistency of my car is back and we have a very firm handle on what the car likes and doesn't like. I am really looking forward to defending last years win," said Jeg.