NHRA: Troy Coughlin is ready for more at Indy

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

August 23, 2001

Troy Coughlin was the first member of the Coughlin family to win the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals. He accomplished this feat in Super Gas at the '91 U.S. Nationals driving a high powered Oldsmobile Cutlass.

"I have the trophy in my office and I look at it every day. It was a day that I will always look back on with a smile. I have pictures from the winner's circle on the wall next to where the trophy sits and everyone in the pictures is smiling ear-to-ear," commented Troy.

Troy would like to put a Pro Stock trophy from this years Mac Tools U.S. Nationals next to his '91 Super Gas title. Troy has been to eight final rounds in Pro Stock since switching to the factory hot rod class in '94. He won the lucrative and prestigious '00 Winston Showdown in Pro Stock, which is not considered to be a NHRA national event in the record books. Coughlin would like nothing more than to win his first official Pro Stock national event at the sport's biggest race.

"The excitement that surrounds the U.S. Nationals is unmatched in our sport. Many drivers have said that their careers were not complete until they won Indy. The race is a dog fight from start to finish," said Troy. Troy Coughlin and his Jeg's Mail Order Chevrolet Cavalier are ready to make a late season charge. Troy currently sits in the No. 19 position in the NHRA Winston Championship with 364 points.

"We have seven races remaining until the book is closed on this season and that means we have seven opportunities to win. As competitive as Pro Stock is, if you can be among the sixteen qualified positions on raceday, you can win," explained Troy.

The above statement was made extremely clear last year when Troy's younger brother Jeg won the title from the No. 16 qualifying position. There have been 11 different winners out of the 17 races completed in NHRA's most competitive professional class this year. Only two drivers have won multiple victories and three of the winners are outside of the top ten.

"We have five qualifying sessions over three days. There will be over 45 cars battling to be among the quick sixteen and have a chance to win on raceday. I believe that team morale and attitude play a big part in your success at any race, especially Indy. Keeping focused as a team will make the difference. Team Jeg's is ready for the challenge brought on by our sport's biggest and most prestigious race," explained Troy.

Text provided by Scott Woodruff

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