Cody Coughlin Captures USAC's 'Generation Next' .25 Champion

XENIA, October 12, 2009: Cody Coughlin may be one of the youngest members of Team JEGS, but the 13-year-old, third-generation racer holds the distinction of being the first family member to clinch a championship in 2009.

Racing in USAC's Heavy Modified division, Coughlin scored a runner-up finish in the season-ending event at Kil-Kare Raceway, which earned him enough points to secure the title of the "Generation Next" .25 Midget class.

"We couldn't be prouder of Cody," said his beaming father John Coughlin, one of four Coughlin brothers who own and operate JEGS High Performance in Delaware, Ohio. "My wife Diana and our daughter Kennedi were home sick today but they were with us in spirit. I know they are Cody's biggest supporters and I'm sure he'll get a hero's welcome when we get home tonight.

"Cody moved up to a bigger and faster class this year with these Heavy Modified cars but he took to it right away and really excelled. He's a great little driver and it's a thrill to watch him race."

With the winter months straight ahead, Cody will now switch to the Indoor series, which begins in mid-November at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.

"I've had so much fun racing this year," Cody said. "To get five wins and a championship in my first year is pretty awesome. Not many people can say that and to do it under USAC sanction makes it extra special because they really have a great system in place for us kids to race.

"It only took me a couple of events to get used to the speed in Heavy Mod. It was definitely a big step up but it was a lot of fun. Now maybe we'll do a few more in Heavy Mod and then maybe move to Heavy Honda 160 or even World Formula if we can get a motor done.

"This is really special to be sitting here with this trophy. I want to thank God, my mom, my sister, Andy Nock, Don Fleming and Chuck Longbrake for working on my cars, and Tom McCauley and Rich Cagle for providing us with motors. All of them are a part of this championship."