NHRA: Rare first round loss for both Jeg's trucks

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

June 25, 2001

In the opening round Mike Coughlin faced off against Bob Panella. The match up put two Chevy S-10's into the ring together. Panella took the starting line advantage by .016 seconds (.455 to .471). The win light came on for Panella by .0528 seconds. Mike ran a 7.533 at 179.33 mph.

"We knew what we had to do to win first round and we fell short. My hat goes off to Team Jeg's this weekend. The guys did a great job all weekend and we can all see the light at the end of the tunnel and that is really encouraging," explained Mike.

John went head-to-head against Taylor Lastor in round one. The Jeg's machine left the line first by .013 seconds (.455 to .468). The two Chevy S-10's battled side-by-side for the win light from start to finish. The win light came on for Lastor by .0333 seconds at the strip. John ran a 7.582 at 180.24 mph.

"The only good thing that came out of the first round is that I ran over 180 mph. The Jeg's machine was good enough to win today. We just fought excessive tire speed during the launch from the starting line. We will head back to our R&D facility and spend are off time improving our program and preparing to make a late season charge," said John.

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.