Coughlin looking for gold-medal weekend in Charlotte (NHRA/JEGS)
Coughlin looking for gold-medal weekend in Charlotte CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 24) -- Five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. will be welcoming the U.S. men's bobsled team to zMax Dragway for this weekend's inaugural NHRA 4-Wide Nationals and he's hoping his friends bring some of the Olympic magic they used to win the first four-man gold medal for our country in the last 62 years. "We're very excited to show the bobsled guys what we do in our world," Coughlin said. "They've been so gracious with us over the years, teaching us all about bobsledding. Now it's time to return the favor. I think they're going to have a lot of fun." Coughlin became friends with many members of Team USA over the past few years as he's taken part in the Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge presented by Whelen Engineering, a charity event partially sponsored by JEGS Mail Order that raises money for the BoDyn Project. Started 18 years ago as the brainchild of Daytona 500 winner Geoff Bodine, the BoDyn Project makes state-of-the-art bobsleds for the men and women of Team USA, who have since driven BoDyn bobsleds to the top of the world rankings. As part of a special tribute to the team, Coughlin's JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt will be adorned with the "Night Train" logo (the nickname the men's four-man team gave their sled), the BoDyn Project emblem, and replicas of the gold and bronze medals the team captured at the Vancouver Games. "These guys and girls are heroes," Coughlin said of the U.S. bobsled team members, who will serve as grand marshals of the event. "Steve Holcomb, Steve Mesler, Justin Olsen, and Curt Tomasevicz, they're on top of the world right now and that's exciting. We're also recognizing Erin Pac and Alana Meyers for the bronze medal they won in women's two-man. We were actually on hand to see that happen and let me tell you, it was as exciting as it gets. Winning something for your country is extraordinary. "Having the Olympic team there will be very cool. Charlotte also is home to Victor Cagnazzi Racing so the entire staff from the shop will be out there helping us. It's exciting for them to come to the races and this event offers a great chance for their family and friends to come along as well. "We have lots of reasons to be fired up about this race." --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)