NHRA: Coughlin Brother's Hanging Tuff After First Round
4 October 1999
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
It's Sunday, which means that it's raceday for the "factory hot rod"
class.
A total of 33 attempted to qualify for the sixteen available spots. Troy
Coughlin and his #24 JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass started his day from
the
number three spot, this was Troy's best qualifying effort of the '99 NHRA
season. The #2 yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order machine driven by '98
NHRA
"Rookie of the Year" Jeg Coughlin, Jr. began raceday from the number five
slot.
The two brothers ended up on the opposite sides of the Pro Stock ladder. With the opportunity to have an all-JEG'S final the men in yellow and black went to work. The Coughlin brothers had met in the final round three times during the season coming into the Advanced Auto Parts Nationals, Jeg has been the winner in all three meetings.
The first round put Jeg Coughlin and George Marnell head-to-head, Coughlin had lane choice and took the right lane. The two cars rolled into the starting line beams together and Coughlin left the line first. The #2 JEG'S Mail Order machine launched from the line and made a move to the left, Jeg soon returned the car to the groove. However, the car remained upset and moved from side-to-side as it searched for traction on the very cool surface. Jeg got off and on the throttle a couple of times. Coughlin stayed with it and his efforts rewarded him with the win light and lane choice in the next round.
Jeg commented, "There was a lot going on from seat all the way down the track. That run took a lot to win." The team went to work on the setup immediately to calm the car down for the next round.
Troy Coughlin faced off against Tom Martino in the first round, Troy also chose the right lane. Coughlin and Martino rolled into the pre-stage lights together, but Martino decided to hold the tree. Martino left the starting line first and Coughlin followed close behind. The JEG'S Mail Order machine was out in front by the time Troy got to the 60' foot clock and he never looked back on his way to the win light.
Troy ran an impressive 6.888, which was the quickest run of the weekend and was rewarded by lane choice for the second round. Troy said, "The team has a great handle on the my car and it has responded well to every change that we have made to the JEG'S machine all weekend."
The cold temp and a lingering mist took over the Heartland Park Topeka facility, which put an end to the action today. Racing will resume tomorrow morning
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