Team JEGS / Pre-race Notes - NHRA Northwest Nationals (NHRA/JEGS)

Delaware, July 6, 2010: Jeg Coughlin Jr. enters this weekend’s NHRA Northwest Nationals in Seattle as the third ranked Pro Stock driver in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Thus far in 2010, Jeg has recorded victories in Houston and Atlanta to go with a runner-up finish in St. Louis.

Jeg won the 2002 NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, driving to a final round victory over Mark Whisnant. Jeg was also a runner-up at the 2000 Seattle race, losing to Richie Stevens in the final. In both seasons, Jeg went on to win the NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock World Championship.

Racing in the Top Dragster class, Jeg also won the NHRA O’Reilly Midwest Nationals earlier this season behind the wheel of his brother, John’s 200-mph JEGS.com dragster.

At the most recent event in Norwalk, Ohio, Jeg qualified his JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt in the No. 1 spot. It was the 17th time that Jeg has been the low qualifier and the second time this season as he also led the field at the inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte.

In 13 races in 2010, Jeg has qualified in the top half of the field 11 times and has not been seeded lower than 11th at any race. Jeg has qualified 12th or better in all 11 previous appearances at Pacific Raceways including a best of No. 3 in 2000

In 11 career appearances in Seattle, Jeg has a round win record of 11-10 in Pro Stock competition.

With 50 career Pro Stock wins, Jeg ranks fourth all-time among Pro Stock drivers. Only Warren Johnson (97), Bob Glidden (85) and Greg Anderson (61) have more titles.

In 273 career Pro Stock races, Jeg has reached the final round 80 times, recording 50 wins. Including his 14 sportsman victories, Jeg has won a total of 64 times, good for ninth place on NHRA’s all time wins list. During his career, Jeg has appeared in 99 final rounds, 80 as a professional and 19 as a sportsman racer.

During his Pro Stock career, Jeg has recorded 456 round wins while incurring just 210 losses. He has failed to advance past the opening round just 65 times.

Jeg Coughlin is a four-time NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Pro Stock champion. He earned season titles in 2000, 2002, 2007 and 2008. As a sportsman driver, Jeg also claimed the NHRA Super Gas championship in 1992.

With a solid outing this weekend in Seattle, Jeg can clinch a spot in the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six-race playoff to determine the season champions. Thus far, only Mike Edwards and Allen Johnson have clinched spots in the Pro Stock field, leaving eight openings yet to be filled.

In 2009, Jeg enjoyed one of his best years as a professional racer winning seven of 23 events and reaching the final round in two others. He compiled a round-win record of 50-17, the second best record in the class.

Including Pacific Raceways, Jeg Coughlin has won at least one NHRA national event at 21 different facilities.

The JEGS Mail Order team will also be represented in Seattle by Jeg’s fiancée, Samantha Kenny, who will be racing her JEGS.com dragster in the Super Comp class. Samantha is a former NHRA national event champion at the Norwalk event and reached the late rounds of the most recent event, also held in Norwalk.