Cody Coughlin set for pro debut at ASA Michigan 100 (ASA/JEGS)

Cody Coughlin set for pro debut at ASA Michigan 100

DELAWARE, Ohio  (Aug 1) -- Less than a year after securing his first 
championship in USAC  competition, 14-year-old Cody Coughlin just completed final 
preparations for his  upcoming professional debut in the ASA Late Model 
Northern Series with a couple  of high-horsepower test sessions in Michigan.

The son of multi-time drag  racing champion John Coughlin and grandson of 
NHRA Hall of Famer Jeg Coughlin  Sr., Coughlin is set to race in the Michigan 
100, which takes place Saturday,  Aug. 7, on the 3/8-mile paved oval at 
"the Big O" -- Owosso Speedway in Ovid,  Mich.

Working under the guidance of veteran short-track racer Gary St.  Amant 
(car chief and coach) and Clay Filson (crew chief), Coughlin began a  two-day 
tune-up session at Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run, Mich..

"We  unloaded at Dixie with some confidence because we have been there 
before,"  Coughlin said. "Right away we were quicker than last time so that made 
me happy.  

"Gary and I went out to do some lead-follow stuff. The last time we did  
that he would catch me every time. This time I was able to pass him and pull  
away, which made me feel really good. To be able to run away from a two-time 
ASA  champion before you've even run a real race is awesome."

As the test  progressed, Coughlin began identifying different issues with 
his JEGS.com  racecar and was able to relay his thoughts back to the crew, a 
sure sign he's  understanding all the dynamics of the 550-horsepower machine.

"At one  point, the right front tire started going down and I was able to 
identify that  on my own by the way the car was handling," Coughlin said. "I 
think I'm starting  to instinctively know that kind of stuff, like how the 
car reacts when different  things happen. The tires were wearing evenly too, 
which tells us my driving was  pretty smooth."

After a full day in Birch Run, the team loaded up and  made the drive to 
Ovid so Coughlin could memorize the track where he will soon  make his 
professional debut.

"Owosso is an older track and it's hard on  tires," Coughlin said. "I 
remember from last time we had a tougher time trying  to keep the rear end from 
coming around. This time it was still trying sneak out  from underneath me, 
but not as much. 

"There was another car there so  between our two cars and his I was able to 
race in a bit of traffic. We all  stayed together in a pack and that was a 
great experience for me. I also worked  on my lines going in and out of 
corners. I feel like we got pretty close to  getting that down by the end of the 
day.

"I'm really excited on the  progress we are making at all these tests and I 
am excited for our first race.  My dad, my mom and my sister Kennedi have 
all been very supportive of what I am  doing and that means the world to me."

--30--

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