NHRA: Mike Coughlin win second straight event
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
September 23, 2001Mike Coughlin began raceday as the man to beat. He posted his third career No. 1 qualifying position and second straight. In addition, he reset both ends of the track record by running an impressive 7.422 at 181.82 mph.
In the opening round Mike Coughlin faced off against Jerry Haas. The pairing put two Chevy S-10's head-to-head. Mike had faced Haas one time in his career before this match up and the victory went to Haas in that meeting.
Both drivers turned the pre stage lights on together. Mike continued to roll the rest of the way into the final stage beam and Haas attempted to distract Coughlin by waiting. The Mike remained focused and left the line first by .073 seconds (.440 to .513). The Jeg's Mail Order Chevy S-10 rocketed to the big end and never looked back. Mike crossed the finish line beams with a 7.456 at 181.54 and took the win light by .1302 seconds. The run was the quickest and fastest of the round.
"We are doing a great job as a team and everyone is focused on defending last years win. The truck responded well from start to finish and we just need to keep the momentum going in our direction," explained Mike after the first round.
John Coughlin started raceday from the No. 9 spot. He lined up next to Randy Daniels. The two drivers had faced each other four times prior to this match up and John has one win on his side.
John Coughlin and his Jeg's machine left the starting line first by .022 seconds (.455 to .477). The two Chevy S-10's looked like they were welded together at the doors as they both launched off of the line. The win light went to Daniels by .0052 seconds. John ran a 7.509 at 179.23 mph.
"The guys did a great job all weekend. I missed the shift from first to second and it just killed our time to the 330-foot clock. I stayed with it and we were coming on strong but we just ran out of track," explained John.
In the second round Mike was given the opportunity to settle the score with Randy Daniels for Team Jeg's. Mike had lane choice and he pulled into the right lane. Daniels left first by .007 seconds (.436 to .443).
Once again, the Jeg's in-house engines showed that it has plenty of steam. Mike turns the win light on by .0265 seconds at the stripe and ran a 7.449 at 181.37 mph. The Jeg's Mail Order Chevy S-10 was the fastest and quickest of the round.
"We are making good decisions and we are not beating ourselves. We have been able to keep lane choice and keep the momentuim on our side," said Mike.
In the semifinal round Mike Coughlin took on Todd Patterson. The pairing put a Chevy S-10 and Dodge Dakota head-to-head. Mike has turned the win light on five times out of the eight times that the two drivers have battled.
Patterson took the advantage off of the line. Coughlin followed behind by .022 seconds. The win light went to Team Jeg's by .0179 seconds at the stripe. Mike ran a 7.444 at 181.84 mph and was rewarded with lane choice for the third straight time.
"We have been making small changes all day to this Jeg's machine and we have been extremely constant all weekend," commented Mike.
Mike Coughlin took on Bob Panella Jr. in the final round. The two drivers have never faced each other in a final round. However, they have battled nine times and Coughlin has won three of the meetings.
Mike Coughlin left the starting line first with a .429 light and never looked back. He won by .0656 seconds at the stripe. Mike ran a 7.446 at 181.79 mph and won his second straight Pro Stock Truck race.
"We had a great weekend. I can't say enough about our team, they worked great all weekend long. Our engine program is strong and this is another sign of great things to come for Team Jeg's," said Mike.
Text provided by Scott Woodruff
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