NHRA: Team Jeg's is ready to end season with a bang
8 November 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
The 2000 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season will come to a close at the season finale in Pomona, CA this weekend. Although all of the professional Championships have been decided, don't expect to see the level of competition go down.
Winning the final race of the season can send a strong message to your competitors and give them something to think about during the off season. The momentum of a win at the NHRA Auto Club Finals also can carry a team through the off season.
Jeg Coughlin, Jr. is the defending Champion of the event and would like nothing more than to make "bookends" of his most successful season behind the wheel of a "factory hot rod." He accomplished this impressive feat during the 1999 NHRA season.
"We seem to rise to the occasion in Pomona as a team," explained Jeg. "Pomona Raceway is one of my favorite tracks on the schedule. On a clear day you look back at the starting line from the top end and see the mountains. It's really gets me fired up."
Jeg has been no stranger to the winner's circle this year. He has won ten NHRA national events and has been a runner up three times this season. In addition, he was the winner of the prestigious Holley Dominator Duel for the second straight year and was awarded the coveted Car Craft Pro Stock Driver of the Year honor.
Winning the NHRA Auto Club Finals would tie Jeg with Darrell Alderman with 11 wins in a season. Alderman set the record for most wins in a single season by a Pro Stock driver in 1991.
"Our goal is always to win the race that we are at and this weekend is no different," commented Jeg. "We have had a great year and if we were to tie the record it would be icing on the cake."
Troy Coughlin is in a battle for the No. 5 position in the NHRA Winston Championship. Troy is a mere 45 points behind Mark Pawuk. This battle is the closest for position in the Pro Stock top ten. Mark Pawuk was involved in a wreck at the rain delayed O'Reilly Fall Nationals last weekend during the semifinals when he lost to Jeg.
"We are ready for Pomona and can't wait to start qualifying," said Troy. "As a team we know we have to limit our mistakes and capitalize on the misfortunes of others. I have had the best season of my career this year and would like nothing more than to visit the winner's circle this weekend in Pomona."
Text Provided By Scott Woodruff
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