NHRA: Jegs: Kings of the Mountain

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

July 17, 2001

To say that Team Jeg's has done well racing at Bandimere Speedway might be considered an understatement to many. The team has won two of the last three years on the mountain. If you add the experience of Team Jeg's engine builder Richard Maskin into the equation, the numbers turn into winning the last four out of five years.

Racing at the high altitude of Bandimere Speedway brings new challenges to the Pro Stock class. The normally aspirated 500 cubic inch big block engines need the right balance of fuel and oxygen to be successful on the mountain. The largest obstacle to over come is the lack of oxygen that it takes to create horsepower. It is an obstacle that every team endures in the quest to be "king of the mountain."

"Team Jeg's has had a lot of success at Bandimere Speedway. We have two wins ('98 & '99) and a runner up finish ('99). My most memorable moment was racing my brother Troy in the final round in '99," said Jeg.

In 1999 the loyal NHRA Winston Drag Racing fans of Bandimere Speedway were entertained by the ultimate final round. Brothers Jeg and Troy Coughlin faced off in the final round. The win ultimately went to Jeg Jr, who is the youngest of the four Coughlin brothers (John, Troy, Mike & Jeg Jr).

"Our goal is to win every race that we compete in. The icing on the cake is when we have two Jeg's Mail Order cars racing side-by-side in the final round. We get more excited after the semifinal round wins when we know that our team accomplished what we set out to do. That is always rewarding for everyone involved with Team Jeg's," explained Jeg.

"It is great when Jeggie and I race each other. My dad and Rick Stewart (NHRA Starter) have their arms around each other as Rick flips the switch. Rick has told us that my dad is literally shaking with excitement as we both pull into the lights," said Troy.

The family affair with NHRA Winston Drag Racing has a long history with the Coughlin family. Jeg Coughlin Sr raced through the 70's and 80's with his four boys by his side. The family enjoys racing together and spending time together.

"Spending time together as a family in a sport that everyone enjoys and can participate in is as good as it gets. I thank Wally Parks (NHRA founder) every time I see him for giving me the tools to spend time with my kids doing something that we all love. The sport has really promoted family since the beginning and it is great to be a part of the recent resurgence of NHRA Drag Racing," commented Jeg Coughlin, Sr.

The Mopar Mile High Nationals will mark race number 14 for the 24 race schedule. Jeg Coughlin Jr is currently in the No. 3 spot with 819 points. He is 98 points from reclaiming the top spot and recently cut his point deficit in half by winning the last race. Troy Coughlin has been gaining momentum recently. He has 302 points and is mounting a late season charge toward the top.

"We are heading into the Mopar Mile High Nationals fresh off of a win in Pomona and our goal will be to carry that positive momentum through the West-coast swing. The opportunity for us to make a move up in the points is in our hands. We are focused as a team and ready for the challenges," explained Jeg.

"I really look at the West-coast swing with great enthusiasm. If you have some success and keep the consistency going you can make a big move up in the points. Our goal is to be in the top ten by the time we get to Indy for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals," said Troy.

Text provided by Scott Woodruff

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