The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

NHRA: JEG'S Team Looks Strong Going Into The US Nationals

1 September 1999

The US Nationals is the most prestigious event on the NHRA tour. The 45th annual running of the US Nationals is sure to bring plenty of excitement and drama to the Indianapolis Raceway Park facility. JEG'S Mail Order Racing, NHRA's largest all-family professional race team will once again unite and work toward the common goal of winning.

Team JEG'S will be in full force when the team pulls into the gates. The familiar yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order colors will be prominent in Pro Stock and Pro Stock Truck. "Our entire program is focused on winning the US Nationals. We have spent plenty of time testing and reviewing data in preparation for this showcase of American speed," said team advisor and father Jeg Coughlin Sr. "This race brings out the best in everyone and our team is ready to begin the battle."

The Pro Stock duo of Troy and Jeg Coughlin are coming into this event with lot's of momentum and a strong desire to win. Jeg is fresh off of a win from the Colonel's Truck Accessories Nationals, which was held in Brainerd, MN a week ago. Troy Coughlin was the winner of the '91 US Nationals in Super Gas, which was his first and only NHRA National Event win. Younger brother Jeg is also a past winner of this event.

'98 NHRA "Rookie of the Year" Jeg Coughlin, Jr was the '92 US Nationals Super Gas winner. Jeg noted, "This race brings back a lot of memories. I remember watching guys like Bob Glidden, Frank Iaconio and the late Lee Shepherd winning this race. Some of the biggest names and most talented drivers in Pro Stock have won this race. I hope to add my name to the list of winners." Jeg closed the points gap between he and Jim Yates last weekend with his win in Brainerd. Jeg is in the number four spot and is 18 points behind Jim Yates and trails Kurt Johnson by 198. A strong finish will propel Jeg to the number three position in the NHRA Winston Championship. "Winning this race in '92 was a special feeling and it's a feeling that I want again."

Troy currently sits in the number six position in the NHRA Winston Championship with 693 points. He trails Richie Stevens by 73 points and younger brother Jeg is 208 points ahead in the number four slot. With a strong finish Troy and his #24 JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass can regain the number five spot. Troy commented, "I won my first NHRA national event at the US Nationals in Super Gas. I would like nothing more then to win my first NHRA professional race in Pro Stock here at the US Nationals." Troy's record speaks for itself this year, he has made it to the final round five times this year and remains winless. "We have everything it takes to win. We have some of the most talented people on our team, DART/Maskin horsepower, the right equipment, and everyone on our team is working toward the same goal." Many Pro Stock insiders have called Troy the most deserving driver to win a Pro Stock race.

The Pro Stock Truck teams have to be among the most eager teams competing at the US Nationals. The Pro Stock Truck class has not had an NHRA race since June 27th. Pro Stock Trucks brother tag team of Mike and John Coughlin will take to the track eager to continue their winning ways and start back where they left off.

Mike Coughlin's yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order S-10 currently is holding down the number five spot in the NHRA Winston points. Randy Daniels is in the number four slot and leads Mike by a mere nine points. Mike is looking to bounce up to the number four spot by the end of the US Nationals. Tim Freeman and Todd Patterson are trailing behind Coughlin so the team will focus on eliminating mistakes and running competitive. Mike stated, "I am so excited to get back into competition and race my Pro Stock Truck. I have raced my Super Comp dragster a couple times during our break to practice focusing and working on reaction times." Mike Coughlin's best US Nationals finish happened last year when he was beat in the semifinal by Bob Panella, Jr. "I feel that our team has everything in place to leave the US Nationals with another victory or better yet an all-JEG'S Pro Stock Truck final"

'99 NHRA "Rookie of the Year" front runner John Coughlin said, "I can't wait to get to Indy. The US Nationals has so much energy surrounding it. It's a great race to be a part of, you can really feed off of the energy and excitement." John currently sits number twelve and is a mere 14 points from the number ten spot. The number seven position is within reach with a strong performance. "Our program has really made some big moves forward in the recent weeks. Richard Maskin and his staff at DART have been busy improving horsepower." John's first win in a Pro Stock Truck happened earlier this year at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals in front of a hometown crowd. "That win is still very fresh in my mind." The JEG'S Pro Stock Truck team has yet to have an all-JEG'S final. While their Pro Stock counter parts have had three such meetings.

The newest member of the JEG'S Mail Order Racing Team is Gary Pearman. Gary joins the team with a vast amount of knowledge, experience and talent. He's been with the team since the Brainerd race and has already shown that he is an added resource for the team.

Jeg Coughlin Sr leads the winning and capable group of team members which includes Clint Allerton, Mike Cunningham, Craig Hankinson, Eric Luzinski, Richard Maskin, Dan McDonald, Gary Pearman, Wayne Perdue, Ian Rough, Rick Rossiter, Ed Tickle, and Scott Woodruff.

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.