John Coughlin Looking To Duplicate Las Vegas Success

LAS VEGAS, Oct 26, 2010: John Coughlin has been a national event champion in Pro Stock Truck, Super Stock, and Super Gas and now he will look to add a Comp Eliminator trophy to his collection at this weekend’s NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Coming off a solid quarterfinal finish at the recent Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event in Reynolds, Ga., Coughlin will now venture west with his Chevy Cobalt. Since making his Comp debut earlier this season, John has won at least one round of competition at every event he has attended.

“We’ve put a lot of time and effort into this car and it is finally beginning to pay off,” John said. “We now have a car that we feel is capable of winning some races. It’s just up to me to go out and do it. At every race, we’ve gotten a little quicker and quicker. I’ve also gotten more comfortable behind the wheel. I would most definitely like to win a race before the season is over and I’m running out of opportunities to do it. This would be the perfect place to make it happen.”

Coughlin’s ability to field a strong entry in the very difficult performance-based Comp Eliminator class is the result of a total team effort that includes longtime JEGS crew members Tony Collier, Greg Cody and Rick Rossiter, as well as four-time NHRA champion Jeff Taylor, the team’s engine builder. Coughlin’s father, Hall of Famer, Jeg Sr., has also played a major role in the team’s success.

Coughlin will also have history on his side as the familiar yellow and black JEGS Mail Order colors have graced the winner’s circle at The Strip many times since the track’s grand opening in 2000. John’s younger brother, Jeg has won five Pro Stock titles at the famed track and last year, his nephew, Troy Jr., became the first third-generation Coughlin to win a national event when he drove his JEGS.com dragster to the Super Comp title. John also got into the act late last year, with a clutch win at the final 2009 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event to clinch his second Division 3 Top Dragster championship.

“When I won that race last year, it was one of the best moments of my career,” said John. “You don’t need to win a race to have fun in Las Vegas but it certainly helps. I’d love to get my first Comp win here.”

Coughlin also expects to return to Las Vegas on Nov. 4-7 for the final Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event of 2011 where he will race in both Comp and Top Dragster.