TEAM REPORTS (VARIOUS LOCATIONS) - JEGS - Notebook

Jeg Coughlin Jr. has outscored POWERade leader Greg Anderson by 86 points since the start of the Houston race in late March. Coughlin has raced to five finals, three semis, and one quarterfinal over that time frame, winning twice and scoring three runner-up finishes for team owner Victor Cagnazzi.

"It's been a great battle so far and it's a real honor to be running well against Greg and the rest of the very, very stout racers in this category," Coughlin said.

Pro Stock ace Jeg Coughlin Jr. stands on the threshold of a professional mark very few drivers have ever reached -- 50 career victories. Coming off a big win Sunday in Bristol, Tenn., Coughlin has 49 national event trophies in his possession. Only nine men in 56 years of NHRA Championship Drag Racing have more.

"It's a number I've been aiming for," said Coughlin, who has 36 Pro Stock wins and 13 more in the sportsman ranks. "It would mean the world to me to get it at Bandimere Speedway because our two families have become very close over the years and we think so much of the entire Bandimere clan. I'd love to share the moment with them."

It was 1958 when John Bandimere Sr. bought a small stretch of land in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains just west of Denver. His dream was to build a drag strip where kids could safely race their hot rods. He also hoped the track would provide a proving ground for the racing components he sold at the family's auto parts store. Within weeks of its opening, Bandimere Speedway was a happening place that even enjoyed the support of local authorities who were glad to clear the local streets of illegal racing.

Around the same time in Columbus, Ohio, Jeg Coughlin Sr. was in the process of opening a small speed shop he called JEGS High Performance. Coughlin was having a tough time getting the parts he needed to fuel his passion for drag racing and he figured other budding racers across the Midwest needed the same pieces he was after so a simple business plan was hatched. Before long, JEGS High Performance was "the place" to go for locals feeling the need for speed.

Both businesses have since been handed off to the next generations of Bandimeres and Coughlins.

"It's really great how we've grown together," said Jeg Coughlin Jr. "Aside from the parallels we obviously share in the business world and with the passion both families have for drag racing, I think the thing that sticks out the most is the way our fathers taught us how to treat people and how to live our lives."

Coming off their most successful race of the season, brothers John and Mike Coughlin will look to continue their winning ways as they head for this weekends NHRA Division 3 Lucas Oil Racing Series contest at Gateway Int’l Raceway. At a recent Division 3 event in Joliet, Ill., John won the Top Dragster title and Mike was crowned the champion in the Top Sportsman class. Having both JEGS Mail Order entries parked side-by-side in the winner’s circle is a thrill the Coughlin’s won’t soon forget.

“Having my brother and I win a race on the same day is definitely the highlight of our season so far,�?? said Mike. “It’s difficult to put one car in the winner’s circle and to have two wins is almost too much to ask for. We’ve got a tough act to follow, but if everything goes just right, we can make it happen.�??

As a result of their early season success, both Coughlin brothers are challenging for the season championship in their respective eliminators. John currently leads the Top Dragster standings and Mike is ranked second in Top Sportsman.

Team JEGS chef Nicky Morse has prepared meals for royalty, distinguished diplomats, and Ohio's ultra wealthy at the only four-star restaurant in Columbus. Now motorsport's most decorated chef has opened his personal cookbook to race fans and members of the media by featuring one of his own creations each week of the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Complete with step-by-step instructions, Morse divulges a complete recipe on teamjegs.com and NHRA.com that will allow budding cooks a chance to create a masterpiece of their own at home.

Chef Nicky heads to Bandimere Speedway with Popcorn Vincenzo. "When I was a kid, my brother Vince used to pop popcorn for me," Chef Nicky said. "He always experimented with different ingredients. I could not wait to see what he was going to come up with next. The recipe I am sharing this week is very simple. It is one that Vince cooked for me when I was 5 years old. It is still my favorite popcorn to this day. It is even good cold the next day."

With just three races left in the regular season, short track legend Gary St. Amant has his JEGS.com/Speedco Chevrolet in perfect position to earn the two-time ASA world champion his first Sears Auto Center Northern Division title.

Coming off a huge win in Salem, Ind., his first in three years on the USAR Hooter's Pro Cup circuit, St. Amant has finished in the top-five at four of the first five races of the year, adding a pair of third-place podium finishes to his win, as well as a fifth-place result and one 12th-place finish.

"Winning in Salem took a lot of pressure off me," St. Amant said. "It was mostly pressure I was putting on myself, but nevertheless, I really wanted to get one in the books. The JEGS.com/Speedco Chevy has been awesome all year. We've completed every lap of every race and my dad Bud should get all the credit for that. He's given me a perfect car to race every weekend. The dependability of my car has been the difference and it's all because of Dad."