Defending Race Champion Coughlin Has Grown Up With E-town Track

ENGLISHTOWN, June 8, 2010: Long before he was racking up victories at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Jeg Coughlin Jr. was zipping down the fabled drag strip in his mind, turning on make-believe win lights in his dreams from the time he was old enough to read.

"I grew up with this track," said the second-generation of the JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt. "I can remember reading about E-town in my dad's National Dragster magazines back in the '70s and coming here as a kid whenever he'd race. It was a real thrill.

"This was where all the big-time East Coast guys raced. I always thought it would be so cool to win here one day because then you would have won a race at the same place as all of those legendary . I dreamed about E-town a lot when I was a kid, no doubt about it."

Coughlin began turning those dreams until reality beginning in 1997 when he won the Super Gas crown at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. He's since won three more times, all in Pro Stock, taking trophies in 1998, 2000, and 2009. He also recorded runner-up finishes at the track in 2002 and 2007.

Overall, Coughlin has won a remarkable 74 percent of his race day match-ups at the facility.

"It's a fast track, one that's family owned, just like our company, JEGS Mail Order, and race I really enjoy going to," Coughlin said. "I can't wait to get started at this weekend's event."

Coughlin actually will have two chances to win this weekend as he plans to once again race his JEGS.com Dodge Challenger Drag Pak entry in Stock eliminator.

"I'm gaining a lot of confidence with that car," he said. "We went come rounds in Chicago and I'm getting my mind straight on the crazy world of bracket racing. It's tough, but so much fun."

When he's not racing his two cars, Coughlin will offer support to his fiancé Samantha Kenny, who races in Super Comp, and his brother Troy Coughlin, who competes in Pro Mod.

Sportsman qualifying begins at 10:30 a.m. EDT Thursday. Professional qualifying will open with sessions at 3 and 6 p.m. EDT Friday.