Coughlin brothers looking for continued success in Joliet

DELAWARE, June 10) -- Less than a month after his graduation from Olentangy Liberty High School in Powell, Ohio, 18-year old Troy Coughlin Jr., will be continuing his education in Drag Racing 101 as he brings his JEGS.com dragster to Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., for this weekend’s NHRA North Central Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Coughlin will be joined in Joliet by his uncle John, who will be racing in the Top Dragster and Super Stock classes, and his uncle Mike, who plans to race in Top Sportsman. The Coughlin’s hope to follow the lead of their JEGS Mail Order teammate, Jeg Coughlin Jr., who won the Pro Stock title over the weekend at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet.

“I had originally planned to race at the national event last weekend but I had to pass on that race after we broke a transmission in my car,” said Troy Jr., “Now, we’ve got it fixed and we’re ready to go. Uncle Jeggie had a great race last week and hopefully we can pick up a win as well.”

John Coughlin enters this weekend as the third ranked driver in the Top Dragster class after a pair of late round finishes at the recent events in Indianapolis and Norwalk, Ohio. Having competed in fewer events than most of his opponents, Coughlin realizes that he has a perfect opportunity to gain ground this weekend.

“At the last couple of races my car has been really solid,” said John. “The car has been good and my driving has been pretty decent. I just need a little luck and we should be able to find the winner’s circle. I’m racing a new car with a whole new engine combination this year and it is a good bit quicker than last year’s car. It might have taken a couple of races to adjust to the extra speed but I feel pretty comfortable now.

“I also feel pretty good about my Super Stock car,” John continued. “I was the low qualifier at the last race and I think we could probably do it again this weekend. It’s the same deal with that car; I just need a break to start winning some rounds.”

After racing in Top Dragster at the recent Norwalk event, Mike will return to the Top Sportsman class with his JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt for the remainder of the year.

“Top Dragster and Top Sportsman were recently added to the JEGS Allstars race for next season and so that is definitely something for us to shoot for,” Mike added. “I’d love nothing more than to see John or myself racing in the Allstars next year. Now we just need to go out and make it happen.”