Jeg Coughlin Sr gets back into a Top Fuel car (NHRA/JEG'S)

Jeg Coughlin Sr gets back into a Top Fuel  car
 
Ohioan Jeg Coughlin Sr., founder of Jeg's Automotive, had the rare  
opportunity to warm-up a 7,000 horsepower Top Fuel dragster Friday prior to the  
opening round of professional qualifying at the 42nd annual Pontiac Performance  
NHRA Nationals at National Trail Raceway. A former Top Fuel driver himself,  
Coughlin was invited by Carrier Boyz Racing pilot Coy McClenathan to warm-up the  
team's Fram Boost2 dragster, which is carrying Jeg's Mail Order livery this  
weekend.

"That was as bad as taking an alcoholic to a bar," said a  smiling Coughlin, 
who last made a pass in a Top Fuel car in 1981. "What a  thrill. I told (crew 
chief) Wes Cerny I wanted to make a pass and he said,  'Let's do it.' The 
problem is I'd hit the throttle for the burnout and I'd have  to get out of the 
car. My legs would be noodles.

"You can really feel the  power, even when the car is up on jack stands. We 
were running 5.70s and 250 mph  back when I was racing. I couldn't imagine the 
sensation of going 4.5 seconds at  330 mph. That would be something."