Consistent Coughlin Looking To Crash Party In Winner's Circle

CHARLOTTE, Sept. 16, 2010: World champion drag racer Troy Coughlin Sr. is the only NHRA professional to have successfully qualified for every event in the 2010 Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, which holds its ninth race this weekend at zMax Dragway.

The only thing the driver of the nitrous oxide-powered JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro hasn't done this season is find the Winner's Circle, a void he hopes to fill in the heart of NASCAR country.

"We've had a great year and we're super pleased with the progress we've made, especially since we switched to an NOS power-adder this past off-season," Coughlin said. "But of course we know that drag racing success is always measured by the trophies you have and so far we haven't earned one.

"The guys and I had some lengthy discussions about what we're going to do to change that before the season winds down and we all agreed that zMax Dragway would be the perfect place to break through and get a Wally. We've raced there enough now that we know what to expect and we've got some strong data under different conditions so nothing should surprise us. Plus, it's a beautiful track, one of the best in the world."

Coughlin and crew know a victory in Charlotte, coupled with a few breaks going their way, could make the championship points chase much more interesting heading into the season finale in Las Vegas. Currently fourth in the world rankings, Coughlin trails leader Von Smith by 146 points.

"You don't expect Von to give up much but as we all saw in Indy where he lost in the first round, anything can happen in this sport," Coughlin said. "It would be fun to push him and the others to the final race in Vegas. Of course, if we could get our wish and win at zMax Dragway this weekend, we'd go a long way towards that particular goal."

This weekend Coughlin, the reigning world champion in NMCA Pro Street, another sanction under which he competes, will be racing alongside his five-time world champion brother Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Jeg's fiancé Samantha Kenny. Jeg races in Pro Stock, while Kenny competes in Super Comp.

"We love to race as a family," Troy said. "One of the big attractions for me to race in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series is the fact we race entirely at NHRA national events so I knew I'd be seeing a lot of my brothers, my son, and sister-in-law to-be Samantha. We like it that way."

Pro Mod qualifying will begin with two sessions at 2 and 5:30 p.m. Friday.