Drag racers thrilled with USA Bobsled gold (NHRA/JEGS) - 1.9MB
Drag racers thrilled with USA Bobsled gold WHISTLER, British Columbia (Feb. 27) -- Drag racers Morgan Lucas, Jeg Coughlin Jr., Shawn Langdon, and Melanie Troxel had a thrilling Saturday night, even though this is an off weekend for the NHRA tour. The popular foursome joined the rest of the United States in celebrating USA-1's long awaited gold medal in Olympic four-man bobsled competition, one of the Olympic Games' premier events. USA-1 driver Steve Holcomb, pushers Justin Olsen and Steve Mesler, and brakeman Curt Tomasevicz will go down in history as the men that got it done, although the world of motorsports played a vital role in their victory. Lucas, Coughlin, Langdon, and Troxel -- along with Lucas Oil Products and JEGS Mail Order -- are major supporters of the Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, which raises funds to build the state-of-the-art bobsleds the team used to earn its first Olympic four-man gold medal in 62 years. Their participation in the annual Lucas Oil NHRA vs. NASCAR charity event in Lake Placid, N.Y., also offered them the chance to become friends with many of the U.S. athletes. "Our athletes deserve all the praise," said Coughlin, a five-time world champion in his JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt, who spent the past week in Vancouver as a guest of the bobsled team. "They got it done and it was a real thrill to watch the events and see how happy the guys were. A tip of the hat to Erin Pac for her two-man bronze the other night as well. "Geoff Bodine should be very proud of what he's done for USA Bobsledding. More than a decade ago, he watched our U.S. team struggle with castoff sleds from the Europeans and he decided to step in and make a difference. By bringing racing technology to sled building, he's elevated the entire sport to a level many thought they'd never achieve. It's so awesome to see his dream realized." Lucas Oil founders Forrest and Charlotte Lucas along with Coughlin and his brothers have offered financial support to the Bo-Dyn Project for the last few years and the racers themselves donate their time for the annual fundraiser, where they actually race one another and their NASCAR rivals down the Olympic course on Mount Van Hoevenberg. "We knew the guys had a shot at making history," said Morgan Lucas, driver of the GEICO Powersports/Lucas Oil dragster. "They were among the favorites, but racing, whether it's on a bobsled course or the drag strip, can be unpredictable. No matter what the expectations are, you still have to go out and make it happen and they did. "I bet Geoff is the happiest guy in the world and he should be. The guy put his heart and soul into this project to make sure our athletes have the best equipment and now the world knows we're No. 1. It's a real honor to know these guys and to be even a small part of their success." --30-- Information regarding JEGS Mail Order can be found at _www.jegs.com_ (http://www.jegs.com) and for media/fan resources checkout _www.teamjegs.com_ (http://www.teamjegs.com) . Media Contact: Scott "Woody" Woodruff JEGS, Director of Media & Motorsports Office: 800.345.4545 (#3, ext 412) Mobile: 614.595.1820 Fax: 740.362.5507 Email: _jegspr@aol.com_ (mailto:jegspr@aol.com) -or- _scott.woodruff@jegs.com_ (mailto:scott.woodruff@jegs.com)