---

NHRA: John will fly the JEG'S flag alone at Gateway

24 June 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Mike Coughlin and his JEG'S Mail Order Chevy S-10 began the third session on the outside looking in from the No. 19 position. When he left the starting line the team knew that he was on a good run.

Mike ran a 7.656 at 176.53 mph and was the third quickest of the session. The run was an improvement and he moved up to the No. 17 position and missed breaking into the quick sixteen by .001 seconds.

"We made a very solid run in the third session," stated Mike. "We have a much better handle on what the track and truck want today."

John Coughlin did not improve during the third session. He ran a 7.704 at 176.24 mph and stayed in the No. 11 position.

"My set up was a little off," said John. "We learned a lot from my brother Mike's run and we will use some of the same principles on my set up for the final session."

Mike rolled into the final session sitting in the No. 17 position by .001 seconds. On the final attempt Mike ran a 7.679 at 175.91 mph. It was not enough to get in.

"I really thought that we had the right set up on the truck and that we would improve significantly after the changes that we made," explained Mike. "I will work with my brothers tomorrow to help them win!"

John improved during the final session. He ran a 7.625 at 176.28 mph and moved from the No. 11 spot up to the No. 8 position. John will have lane choice when he faces Jeff Naiser in the first round.

"I really felt like we were going to improve during the last session and we did," said John. "The bonus was moving up enough to get lane choice. I really feel that lane choice will play a big part tomorrow."

Text provided by Scott Woodruff

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