NHRA: Jeg and Troy are ready to continue tradition of winning in hometown
9 June 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
For most drivers, racing in your hometown can be quite the distraction. Both Jeg and Troy are well aware that family members, friends and associates of JEG'S will be cheering for the hometown team to win.
"I think that we must have the largest cheering section on the NHRA tour when we race at National Trail Raceway," said Jeg. "It is very rewarding to have so many fans cheering for our team to win and do well."
"There is an awful lot of energy and excitement when you race in your hometown," stated Troy. "Our entire team digs deeper and works harder to win."
The Coughlin family has experienced plenty of success at National Trail Raceway. Jeg Coughlin, Jr. won his first NHRA national event in '90 while racing in Super Gas. Since then Jeg has won the '96 Super Stock title and was the '98 winner in Pro Stock at his home track. In addition, Jeg has also won the Federal Mogul all-star race in both Super Gas ('91) and Super Stock ('97). He was the runner-up last year in Pro Stock and Troy was the runner up in Pro Stock in '97.
NHRA Pro Stock points leader Jeg Coughlin, Jr. recently lengthened his points lead over his closest competitor. He now has 861 points and is an amazing 313 points ahead of the No. 2 spot, which is just over 15 competition rounds.
"We are having a great year," explained Jeg. "We implemented an aggressive maintenance program during the off season and it is yielding strong dividends for our entire program."
The season that Jeg is having has been compared to past seasons of legendary Pro Stock drivers Bob Glidden and the late Lee Shepard. Jeg has been the man to beat all season. He has won all six final rounds that his familiar yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass has been in.
"To even be mentioned in the same sentence with Bob Glidden and Lee Shepard is an amazing feeling. Both of these guys built the foundation of Pro Stock and are role models and true Champions," commented Jeg.
Troy Coughlin had his first professional final round appearance in '97 at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals in Pro Stock. Since than he has been in nine NHRA Pro Stock final rounds. Troy has had two runner up finishes this season. The first was at the Mac Tools Gatornationals and he is fresh off of a runner up finish at the recently held Prestone Nationals. Troy is currently tied for the No. 3 position in the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Championship with 548 points and is 47 points from taking over the No. 2 spot.
"Our team goal coming into this season is to finish No. 1 and No. 2 in the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Championship. We are with striking distance of No. 2 spot and our team will give it everything we have to work toward this goal," said Troy.
Last year, Troy failed to qualify for his hometown race. Knowing what happened last year Coughlin is confident that the additional experience and knowledge that the team has accumulated over the last year puts them in a much stronger position.
"Our team has shown a great deal of consistency this season. We have avoided beating ourselves and we have capitalized on others misfortunes," commented Troy about his success this season.
Looking at the performance that this team has had so far this season it is no surprise that they are the team to beat. History has shown that the yellow and black colors of JEG'S have had plenty of success at their hometown track.
Text provided by Scott Woodruff
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