Coughlin improves time and stays No. 5 (NHRA/JEG'S)

NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series 
Southern California Auto Club  NHRA Finals
Pomona Raceway
Pomona, CA
Nov. 4, 2005 

Jeg  Coughlin - JEG'S Mail Order / Mopar - Dodge Stratus RT (Pro Stock)
Friday  Qualifying Summary 
 
Coughlin improves time and stays No.  5
 
Pro Stock racer Jeg Coughlin successfully maintained his fifth-place  ranking 
on the Pro Stock qualifying ladder Friday after improving to a 6.704 at  
205.79 mph in his Jeg's Mail Order Dodge Stratus R/T. A four-time winner at  
Pomona Raceway, Coughlin is aiming for the title of this weekend's season-ending  
41st annual Auto Club NHRA Finals.

"It was good to improve along with the  rest of the pack because we really 
want to stay in the top half of the field,"  Coughlin said. "I was impressed 
because we did it in the right-hand lane, which  definitely isn't as good as the 
left lane. That's just the way it's always been  at this racetrack.

"The car ran pretty straight and it was a mostly clean  run. There is always 
a little room for improvement and if the rest of the cars  pick up we need to 
be right there with them."

Both ends of the Pomona  track records were set in Round 2. Jason Line posted 
a 6.677 before crashing  into the sand trap at the top end. Kurt Johnson 
grabbed the speed record with a  207.62 mph. Coughlin was happy to stay within 
striking distance.

"I  believe we have a hundredth or two we can shave off our time," Coughlin 
said.  'The morning session starts at 11 a.m. and I think that will be the last 
session  where we can really jump up there. But you never know; if it stays 
cloudy like  it did today both rounds should be good. I'm just more optimistic 
about the  morning session because we'll be on the left side."

Coughlin is a  three-time series champion with 45 national event wins.


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