Super-quick pass on the hottest day of the year has Coughlin beaming

TOPEKA, May 30, 2009: It was hard to tell what was more impressive -- back-to-back and reigning Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr.'s 6.698 at 206.20 mph journey down Heartland Park Topeka or the time during Saturday's action when he posted the run.

"To me it's the time of day when we did it," the current point leader said. "Mainly because tomorrow's first round of eliminations will take place at the same time and by all indications it's going to be every bit as hot. My crew really came through for me there. I'm buzzing right now."

Coughlin entered this event with a comfortable 52-point advantage over his nearest rival in the Full Throttle standings. His three victories in five final-round showings this year in his JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt are tops in the class and his career total of 44 national event wins is fourth-best all time.

"We're enjoying ourselves this season and the goal is to keep this yellow and black JEGS Cobalt out front as long as we can," Coughlin said. "The run we made today and the way this crew tracked down a little electrical problem we had Friday speaks volumes of the championship-level caliber of this entire organization."

As the No. 4 qualifier, Coughlin will enjoy lane choice over Steve Spiess, who posted a best of 6.741 at 203.71 mph to earn the No. 13 position on the grid. Coughlin and Spiess have raced twice this year with Coughlin winning both contests.

"I actually think we can improve just a hair because there was some more left in there during that 6.69 run," Coughlin said. "I'm sure the boys will have the car prepared perfectly for me and we'll be ready to go racing."

The 38-year-old Coughlin has two wins at Heartland Park Topeka. He won the Pro Stock trophy here in 2000 to help propel him to his first Pro Stock championship. He also captured HPT's Super Stock title in 1994.