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NHRA: Jeg's trucks are ready for action at Indy

24 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

After an eight-week break in the action the Pro Stock Truck class will return to NHRA competition for the 46th Annual US Nationals. Drivers spent the down time sharpening their skills. Engine builders treated the eight week break as an opportunity to increase horsepower and gain a competitive advantage in NHRA's newest professional class.

John Coughlin is currently No. 4 in the NHRA Winston Championship with 538 points. He is a mere seven points behind Greg Stanfield in a battle to take over the No. 3 spot in the points.

Mike Coughlin is resting in the No. 10 spot in the points. He has 353 points and is 81 points from moving into the No. 7 position. Mike is the defending US Nationals winner in Pro Stock Truck.

John and Mike spent some of their off weekends during the eight-week Pro Stock Truck break racing. They were not behind the wheel of their familiar yellow and black Jeg's Mail Order Chevy S-10's.

"John and I raced our Super Comp dragsters at a couple of Federal Mogul Division 3 events and bracket races," said Mike. "It was great to compete again and work on our reaction times."

"We were spending our weekend racing with friends and keeping in touch with how Jeg and Troy were doing on the West Coast," explained John.

The Pro Stock Truck brother duo knows what they have to do if they want to move up in the points. John and Mike must continue to look at the big picture and focus on it.

"Our program showed a lot of strength at the last race before our eight-week break," explained John. "Our intention is to start where we left off."

The eight-week break gave engine builders the time that it takes to try new components in an effort to gain additional horsepower. Richard Maskin and his staff at DART Machinery were on a mission to find more horsepower.

"The Pro Stock Truck class is still in the incubation phase," noted John. "Everyone is still learning and trying new ideas to gain an advantage."

"Richard Maskin and his staff at DART Machinery have been busy on the dyno during the break," said Mike. "You can hear the enthusiasm in his voice when we talk on the phone. Richard and his staff are excited to see their hard work pay off at the US Nationals."

The US Nationals is a race that John and Mike look forward to. The two of them have gone to the race with the rest of their family as long as they can remember.

"I am excited to get back into the drivers seat at the US Nationals. I have so many great memories of this race from growing up it's an honor to just be a part of it," commented John. "I want to win the big one. Troy won it in '91, Jeg won it in '92 and Mike was the Pro Stock Truck winner last year."

"Coming to the US Nationals as the defending champion in Pro Stock Truck is a huge honor. There have only been two winners and I am one of them," stated Mike. "I want nothing more than to be the only Pro Stock Truck driver to successfully defend his title at the US Nationals."

Text provided by Scott Woodruff

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