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NHRA: Troy Grabs #1 After First Qualifying Session

4 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Jeg Sits In The #3 Spot

Today marked the beginning of the 2000 NHRA season. The runs that you made during the off season testing is what your peers measure you against, until this race. Every team watches each run and makes comparisons in their heads as cars go down the track for the first time.

The JEG'S Mail Order Pro Stock Team showed great strength after the first of four scheduled qualifying session. Jeg and Troy Coughlin did not spend their off season time making runs. The Pro Stock brother duo had one test session during the off season, which lasted two days.

Troy Coughlin and his yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass started where he left off at the 1999 NHRA season finale, in the #1 spot. Troy commented, "The car felt great going down track and it followed the groove all the way down the track." With three qualifying sessions remaining until the field of sixteen is locked the team knows that their work is far from over.

Troy continued, "We all spent a lot of time thinking through setup combinations. Richard Maskin and his staff at DART Machinery worked hard to find horsepower advances. I think that we are off to a great start and I'm looking forward to a great year." Troy finished #6 in the 1999 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Championship, which was a career best finish.

Jeg Coughlin and his #2 JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass are resting in the #3 position after the first qualifying session. Jeg stated, "It's great to get back into the car. The guys spent a lot of time in the off season preparing our cars, and it showed today."

Jeg returns to the AutoZone Winternationals as the defending champion. Coughlin explained, "It's always a great feeling to come to a race where you have been successful. We are up for the challenge of defending our title and I'm looking forward to raceday with great anticipation."

Text Provided by JEGS

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