---

NHRA: Jeg Coughlin Win's Season Ending Race & Ends Up #2

16 November 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Troy Coughlin Finishes Season #6, Best Career Finish

The NHRA Auto Club Finals is the final race in the '99 schedule for the series. There were a total of twenty-eight Pro Stock drivers who worked toward being in the "quick sixteen" and be among the qualified on raceday.

Troy Coughlin grabbed the No. 1 qualifying position for the first time in his career. Younger brother Jeg began his day from the No. 5 spot. The two JEG'S Mail Order cars are on the same side of the ladder, which made the team unable to repeat their season opening all-JEG'S final.

Although Warren Johnson has won the '99 NHRA Winston Championship there are still plenty of exciting battles among the top ten. Kurt Johnson and Jeg Coughlin started the day in a battle for the No. 2 position. Jeg entered the race 57 points behind Kurt, Coughlin gained 1 point when he out qualified Johnson.

Troy came into the final race of the season 31 points behind Mike Edwards in a battle for the No. 6 spot. Edwards failed to make the field and Troy picked up 8 points for qualifying No. 1, Richie Stevens entered the race in the No. 5 spot and was 75 points ahead of going into the first round.

Jeg faced off against V. Gaines in the first round, Coughlin had lane choice and took the left lane. The #2 yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order machine left the starting line first and never looked back. Jeg took the win light and was the second quickest run of the round, which earned him lane choice.

Jeg commented, "The car followed the groove and shot straight down the track. The momentum is clearly with our team today."

Troy Coughlin continued to show that he is the man to beat. Troy faced off against Mike Trumble in the first round, Coughlin put Trumble in the right lane. The two cars left the starting line together as they raced to the finishline. The JEG'S machine got to the 60 foot clock first and never looked back. Coughlin's Olds Cutlass took the win light and moves to the No. 6 spot in the '99 NHRA Winston Championship.

Troy stated, "The car has continued to respond well to the setup, everything feels great inside the car."

In the second round Troy was the first of the two JEG'S Mail Order cars to take on the quarter mile battle field. Troy had lane choice and took the left lane, Stevens was in the right. The reaction time advantage went to Richie Stevens. Both cars raced side-by-side toward the big end. Troy's car started to favor the right side of the groove 330 feet out and Coughlin was forced to shut off when he got too close to the center line.

Troy said, "I had the best season of my career and I will have a better one next year. We have a great team and we will be stronger than ever in 2000." Troy Coughlin finished the '99 NHRA season in the No. 6 position in the NHRA Winston Championship, which is a career best finish.

Jeg Coughlin took on Jim Yates in the second round, Coughlin was in the left lane. Yates took the advantage off of the starting line. Jeg followed close behind as the Maskin/DART Machinery horsepower grew. The #2 JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass came on extremely strong in the back half of the track. The win light came on for Coughlin as he moved closer to the No. 2 spot in the NHRA Winston Championship.

Jeg explained, "The team did their job on that run. The Maskin/DART Machinery horsepower put us into the semifinal round."

The semifinal round pairing was a rematch of last years final round. Jeg continued to chose the left lane and put Richie Stevens in the right lane. The two cars rolled into the lights together. Richie Stevens left the starting line first and Jeg left on his heels. The JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass got to the 60 foot clock first and went straight down the middle of the groove to the win light.

Coughlin's win in the semifinal round moved him past Kurt Johnson into the No. 2 position in the '99 NHRA Winston Championship. Jeg also set the track et record and was rewarded with lane choice for the final round.

Jeg noted, "Our team knew what we had to do coming into this race to keep the No. 2 on my car for next year. Our team work together that's why we are successful."

Jeg had lane choice in the final round when he faced Warren Johnson. With both drivers finishing No. 1 & No. 2 in the '99 NHRA Winston Championship this race was for bragging rights during the off season.

The JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass left the starting line first and was in front from start to finish. Jeg Coughlin and the men in yellow and black win their 5th NHRA Pro Stock race of the year.

Jeg said, "To make our best run of the weekend in the final round and win the race is a great feeling. This win is an indication of how strong that our team will be in 2000."

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.