---

NHRA: Coughlin Brothers Are On Opposite Sides Of The Ladder Again

24 October 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

The "factory hot rods" returned this morning to the Texas Motorplex ready to go at it again. All thirty-two cars had two chances to either improve their qualifying position or break into the elite "quick sixteen."

The weather conditions were improved over what the class had to deal with yesterday. The air temp was down an average of ten degrees, which helps the engines create the horsepower desired to make quick and fast runs.

Jeg Coughlin began the day sitting in the number six spot. Coughlin pulled into the right lane for the third qualifying session with his eyes set on improving. Jeg launched from the starting line and the car made a move to the right 100' feet out. The right side of the car was out of the groove and Coughlin quickly drove it back to the center of the groove.

Jeg did improve over his previous qualifying time, but he fell to the number eleven slot. Coughlin noted, "The car just wanted to go to the right, and it's not something that you want to fight too much."

Troy also had his sights set on improving. The #24 JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass took off out of the gate and made a similar move as his younger brothers car. Troy's car went to the right and got out of the groove about 100' feet out. The car went back into the center of the groove and continued to travel toward the big end.

An improvement for Troy also, but he slips to the number nine spot. Troy said, "We are just being a little aggressive throughout low gear. The car is searching for traction, which feels a little like your driving on ice."

Jeg pulled into the left lane for the final qualifying session, which was has been the better lane all day. The yellow and black #2 JEG'S Mail Order machine blasted off of the starting line and rocketed down track. The car favored the right side of the groove down track. Jeg made his quickest pass of his career (6.839 @ 201.61 mph) and marches up to the number two position.

Jeg commented, "The car felt great going down the track, which speaks highly of the Texas Motorplex facility. The guys had a great handle on the setup combination and the conditions favored our setup. We are looking strong and the team is ready for raceday." Jeg will face off against John Nobile tomorrow morning, Coughlin has lane choice.

Troy rolled into the final session sitting in the number nine spot and looked forward to improving. He launched his JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass from the starting line and the car drove slightly to the left. The car continued to drive to the left and lost traction with the left side of the car when it got out of the groove. The car started searching for traction and moved from side-to-side, Troy shut off.

Coughlin explained, "I was really looking forward to running well during the last session. The car just wanted to go to the left and when I started to fight it the car moved around, shutting off was the right decision."

Troy continued, "We will go into the first round ready for battle." Troy slipped to the number thirteen position and will line up next to Kurt Johnson in round one. Jeg is chasing Kurt in the points and the team will work hard to knock out Kurt in the first round and put an end to his day.

Both Jeg and Troy will begin raceday from opposite sides of the ladder. The team would like nothing more than to be racing each other in the final round tomorrow and the team will work toward that goal.

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.