TEAM REPORTS (LAS VEGAS) - JEGS Notebook

As one of the four finalists still in the chase for the 2007 championship, Jeg Coughlin Jr.'s prerace schedule is full. He'll be one of the headliners at the NHRA media conference on Thursday before starring at the Fan Fest from 5-7 p.m. at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas.

"I always enjoy hanging out with our fans," Coughlin said. "It should be a big party considering it's Las Vegas. I'm looking forward to the seeing everyone."

Local oddsmakers have installed Jeg Coughlin Jr. with 4-1 odds to win the race. His teammate at Victor Cagnazzi Racing, Dave Connolly, who has won the last five races in a row, is the favorite at 8-5,

Just 20 points, or the equivalent of one round of racing action, out of the POWERade points lead, three-time NHRA champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. knows this weekend's seventh annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be a pivotal race for his JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt team in the Countdown to the Championship.

The Countdown is a new playoff-style system used to determine the 2007 champions. The format cut the field of potential champs down to eight racers after the first 17 races and down to four racers after 21 events. That leaves two races on the POWERade schedule for the final four to sort out who will win it all.

"The fact they re-stacked the points again puts us right back in the game," Coughlin said. "It should be an unbelievable two weeks of racing."

Jeg Coughlin Jr. was the No. 1 qualifier at the last race in Richmond, Va. It was the fourth time this year Coughlin has raced from the pole, a career-best for the 37-year-old from Delaware, Ohio.

Jeg Coughlin Jr. is a three-time champion at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, having won in Sin City on consecutive years in 2000-2002. Coughlin won two Pro Stock championships over that same time frame, collecting titles in 2002. In fact, he clinched his '02 title in Las Vegas, making the track one of his favorites.

"Any place that Bruton Smith owns is a favorite of mine because he does everything first class," Coughlin said. "This place makes you feel special."

Team JEGS chef Nicky Morse has prepared meals for royalty, distinguished diplomats, and Ohio's ultra wealthy at the only four-star restaurant in Columbus. He's cooked for country music's brightest stars as part of the support crew for CMT's "Showcase" program. He's mentored young apprentices at Ohio State University, and worked elbow-to-elbow with Wolfgang Puck to raise money for cancer research. He even has his own reality show on FSN Ohio, "The Racing Chef."

Throughout 2007, motorsport's most decorated chef has opened his personal cookbook to race fans and members of the media by featuring one of his creations each week of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Complete with step-by-step instructions, Morse divulges a complete recipe on teamjegs.com and NHRA.com that allows budding cooks a chance to create a masterpiece of their own at home.

For this weekend's seventh annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, Morse shares Fruit Toast. "Get ready for a great morning!" Morse said. "This one should be made on a quiet Sunday morning when you have time to relax and enjoy the flavors. Before you start, brew a strong pot of coffee and get the newspaper ready. I think that this recipe will add years to your life."