Bracket Racing - Troy Coughlin To Debut New Dragster At Dixie House Cafe Ironman

MEMPHIS, March 4, 2012: Eager to hit the race track with his all-new JEGS.com dragster, Troy Coughlin Jr. will make his 2012 season debut at next weekend's Dixie House Café Ironman $50K, a special $50,000-to-win high stakes E.T. bracket racing event at Memphis International Raceway.

In addition to the $50,000 main event on Saturday, March 10, there will also be a pair of $10,000-to-win events on Friday and Sunday, making the event very lucrative for the sport's top E.T. drivers. Coughlin is determined to get his hands on a share of the massive payout.

"It's been a busy winter but I'm ready to go racing again," said the third-generation JEGS driver. "I really enjoy bracket racing because it's so competitive and I can think of 50,000 good reasons to go to this race. I know all the best racers will be here but that's what I want. I love the competition. And, it's always nice to have the yellow and black [JEGS colors] on hand at these big races, too."

Coughlin plans to familiarize himself with his new American Race Cars-built dragster during a two-day test session at Palm Beach International Raceway before heading to Memphis. During the test, he's also planning to make some runs in his uncle, John's Top Dragster, which he will also be racing this season. .

"The new dragster was built just for me so I'm already comfortable just sitting in it," Coughlin said. "We're also using a proven JEGS 'Track Tested' combination with a Sonny Leonard 638-cid engine and an alcohol carburetor from George Rupert so I don't think there will be a big adjustment. We'll just make a few runs in Palm Beach, work out any little bugs and then head for Memphis. I'm also going to test the Top Dragster. I'm looking forward to being able to drive that car this year too. It's so cool of my uncle John to let me drive it."

Coughlin enjoyed success in 2011, winning several big events including a $25,000 payday at Atco Dragway, and a couple of runner-up finishes at his home track, National Trail Raceway, but he's more concerned about the ones that got away.

"Last year, I got down to the last four cars a bunch of times and made it to some final rounds but wasn't able to close the deal," Coughlin said. "I don't know if I got distracted or frustrated or what, but this year that needs to change so I have a whole new approach. I have the will to win. I just need to go out and do it and not worry about anything else."