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NHRA: Jeg Coughlin Wins Number Five

1 May 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

A total of 40 drivers battled through three qualifying sessions to be among the elite to race on Sunday. The sixteen qualified drivers made up the quickest field in NHRA Pro Stock history.

In the first round Troy faced off against Bruce Allen. The two cars changed lanes before entering the water box, Coughlin took the left. Troy experienced problems with the fuel delivery system. The rpm's went up and down as the engine searched for fuel. Bruce Allen advanced to the second round.

"We are going to look at every piece on this car that deals with the fuel system and find out what went wrong," said Troy.

Jeg took on Scott Geoffrion in the first round. The JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass left the starting line first and never looked back. Jeg ran a 6.868 at 199.94 mph to turn on the win light and in the process made the quickest run of the round.

"This car is working great with the set up combination," commented NHRA Pro Stock points leader Jeg. "We just need to keep doing our job and the rest will fall into place."

"The door of opportunity has once again opened for us," said Jeg about Warren Johnson getting beat in round one.

In the second round Jeg Coughlin lined up against Bruce Allen. The yellow and black JEG'S machine left first and made another great run. Jeg ran a 6.878 at 200.02 mph and was the quickest of the round again.

"The team is doing their job and I'm doing mine in the seat," said Coughlin. "Our goal is to stay focused and do our jobs as a team."

Jeg went head-to-head with Kurt Johnson in the semifinal round. The JEG'S Olds left the line and rocketed to the win light. He ran a 6.880 at 199.88 mph and earned lane choice for the final round.

"Our goal was to get lane choice for the final round," explained Coughlin. "The team is giving me all of the tools I need to do my job."

The final round was a repeat pairing of the last race. Jeg faced off against Jim Yates and took the left lane for the fourth time. Coughlin grabbed the starting line advantage by .017 seconds. The JEG'S Mail Order Olds darted down the track to the finish line. Coughlin took the win light. He ran a 6.861 at 199.73 mph.

This was Jeg Coughlin, Jr's. fifth win of the year. He has won five of the six races that have been held during the 2000 NHRA season. The last NHRA Pro Stock driver to accomplish this was the late Lee Shepherd in 1980. This was the 15th professional win for Coughlin.

"What a day," Coughlin stated. "Today I did some of the best driving of my career. I really felt like it was my day from the start."

Jeg commented about the late Lee Shepherd, "I remember watching him race when my father raced Top Fuel. He was one of the guys that I always looked up to. He was a true Champion in every since of the word."

Text provided by Scott Woodruff

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