NHRA: Mike Coughlin wins the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Pro Stock Truck Division

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 4, 2001

In the opening round John Coughlin faced off against Todd Patterson. The pairing put a Chevy S-10 and a Dodge Dakota head-to-head. Lane choice went to Patterson and he took the left lane.

The Jeg's Mail Order machine left the line with a perfect .400 reaction time. The two trucks were side-by-side. The win light went to Patterson by .0498 seconds at the stripe. John ran a 7.670 at 176.35 mph.

"I was ready on the starting line. We just got a little aggressive off of the line and the truck made some moves before we got the 330-foot clock that really hurt us in the backhalf," said John.

Number one qualifier Mike Coughlin took of Scott Perin in round one. The Jeg's Mail Order Chevy S-10 rolled into the preferred left lane to begin the battle. The two drivers faced off in the '99 final of the U.S. Nationals that Mike won.

The starting line advantage went to Perin by .036 seconds (.418 to .454). The two Chevy S-10's took off for the big end as they looked like they were welded together until half track. The Jeg's in-house horsepower came on strong in the backhalf and the win light went to Coughlin by .0338 seconds. Mike crossed the finish line beams at 7.529 at 179.59 mph.

"We have been making good runs all weekend and the guys have been working great as a team. Our engine is showing real strength in the heat and the truck is responding well through the gears," explained Mike after the first round.

In the second round Mike faced off against Todd Patterson. This match up was pay back time for Team Jeg's. The Dodge Dakota and Chevy S-10 pulled slowly into the stage beams.

The jump off of the line went to Patterson by .040 seconds (.450 to .490). The Jeg's horsepower gained momentum with each foot the closer the pair got to the finish line. The Jeg's machine took the win light by .0012 seconds at the stripe. Mike ran a quicker 7.546 at 179.25 mph and was rewarded with lane choice for the semifinal round.

"That was close-real close! When I got close to the finish line I think I was moving up in the seat to get closer. It was a great race and that was the first time that I can remember winning a race on horsepower," commented Mike.

In the semifinal round Mike lined up next to Taylor Lastor. Lane choice went to Coughlin and he stuck with the left lane. The two Chevy S-10's rolled into together and Coughlin grabbed the advantage by .005 seconds (.468 to .473). Once again, the Jeg's horsepower came on strong and turned the win light on. Mike ran a quicker 7.541 at 179.28 mph and was the quickest truck of the session.

"We are continuing to make great calls as a group. The setup that we are using and the track conditions are working well together. This Jeg's Chevy S-10 has been like a rock all day," explained Mike.

The final round put Mike Coughlin and Randy Daniels head-to-head. Lane choice went to the Jeg's machine and he continued to take the left lane. Coughlin left the line first by a mere .005 seconds (.446 to .451). The Jeg's Mail Order Chevy S-10 never looked back. He grabbed the win light by .0218 seconds. Mike took the win light with a 7.540 at 179.40 mph run.

"We came out here with a new engine. Team Jeg's set the track ET and Mph record. In the process we won our second U.S. Nationals behind the wheel of a Pro Stock Truck and we will be the only team ever to do that in Pro Stock Truck. That is a huge honor to be in the history books and represent the NHRA," said heartfelt Mike Coughlin in the winner's circle.

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.