Mike Coughlin looking to continue Columbus win streak (NHRA/JEGS)

Mike Coughlin looking to continue Columbus win  streak
 
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The last time Mike Coughlin raced his JEGS Mail Order  Chevy 
Cobalt at National Trail Raceway, he won the Top Sportsman title at the  
second annual JEGS NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals. Now, Coughlin will be looking  
to continue his successful run at the final Division 3 Lucas Oil Series event 
of  2006, which will be held this weekend at the historic Ohio facility.  
 
“National Trail Raceway is the home track for JEGS and our family,�?? said  
Coughlin. “Over the years, it has treated us very well. I have made more runs  
here than anywhere else so I feel very comfortable. It also helps that I won 
the  last time I raced here. That's always a good confidence booster.�??
 
The Top Sportsman class, which is contested at a divisional level in NHRA  
events, is somewhat of a cross between Pro Stock and E.T. bracket racing.  
Competitors in the class qualify for the 32-car field on performance, but used  
conventional bracket racing rules, including dial-ins and breakouts for  
eliminations. After many successful years in Super Comp and Super Gas, Coughlin  made 
his debut in Top Sportsman earlier this year with his Chevy Cobalt, which  was 
built by Jerry Bickel Race Cars. With performances in the low 7-second range  
at over 190-mph, it is the quickest and fastest car Coughlin has ever driven. 
 Coughlin is currently ranked 14th in the Division 3 Top Sportsman standings, 
but  has participated in just four races. With a victory, he could post a top 
ten  finish.
 
“Initially, I wasn't sure how I'd feel going this fast, but it only took a  
few runs for me to know that I was really going to enjoy it,�?? Coughlin said. “
By  now, I've gotten comfortable racing at this level and our crew has 
steadily  worked on the car to make it more consistent.  
 
“We got a late start with this car and because everything is so new, I  
really never had any expectations this year points wise,�?? said Coughlin.  “
Thankfully, the learning curve was a bit shorter than we expected and I was  
fortunate enough to pick up a victory at the JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals. That  has 
been the highlight of my season so far. If I can have another strong outing  
before the end of the year, I'll be very content with what we've accomplished  
this year.�??
 
Qualifying for the Division 3 Lucas Oil Series event at National Trail  
Raceway will be held on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23. Final eliminations  will 
begin on Sunday, Sept. 24. 
 
 
 
For more information on the JEGS Mail Order, please visit _www.jegs.com_ 
(http://www.jegs.com/)   and for media/fan resources check out _www.teamjegs.com_ 
(http://www.teamjegs.com/) .

Media  Contact:

Scott "Woody" Woodruff
Director of Media &  Motorsports
Office: 800.345.4545 (3.412)
Mobile: 614.595.1820
Fax:  740.362.4385
Email: _jegspr@aol.com_ (mailto:jegspr@aol.com)  -or- 
_scott.woodruff@jegs.com_ (mailto:scott.woodruff@jegs.com)