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NHRA: Coughlin Family Unite To Do Battle In Gainesville

10 March 1999

NHRA's largest professional all-family team will once again unite at the '99 MacTools Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. The MacTools Gatornationals is a race that Pro Stock and Pro Stock Truck drives look forward to all year. The great weather conditions coupled with an excellent NHRA track typically yield quick and fast times for the normally aspirated engines.

Team engine builder Richard Maskin noted, "This race is a tuning race. A lot of teams will really push the envelope on their setup. The team(s) that make small measurable advances will be the ones who will be smiling at the end of the day on Sunday." Richard and his staff at DART Machinery have been busy making performance advancements in the horsepower department for both the Pro Stock and Pro Stock Truck programs.

"Our team is working extremely well together. Sitting down and talking over setup and performance obstacles have really helped to eliminate mistakes. This team has plenty of knowledge, talent and experience. Everyone on our team is a resource and is part of our success," said team advisor/father Jeg Coughlin, Sr. The team has added Ed Tickle, long time Larry Morgan crew member, to their all-star line up. The team is now eleven people strong and includes Clint Allerton, Mike Cunningham, Craig Hankinson, Eric Luzinski, Dan McDonald, Wayne Perdue, Ron Richards, Rick Rossiter, Ian Rough, Ed Tickle, and Scott "Woody" Woodruff.

Last year at the MacTools Gatornationals Jeg Coughlin, Jr made NHRA history when he became the second driver to break the 200-mph barrier. In addition, he was the number one qualifier. "We tested at this track for two solid days in the preseason. If the car is setup correctly for the weather and track conditions you can fly," stated Jeg. The #2 yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order machine has one Pro Stock win and a semifinal appearance to add to it's accomplishments so far in 1999. Jeg is currently number two in the NHRA Winston Pro Stock points; he trails point's leader Kurt Johnson by only six points. The Pro Stock points chase is tight. Nine points separate the top three spots and WJ sits 78 points behind the number one spot in the fourth position, after two races.

Troy Coughlin, driver of the #24 JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass, has a lot to look forward to when he gets to the '99 MacTools Gatornationals. Troy is currently in the number three spot in the NHRA Winston points with 185 points; he trails his younger brother Jeg by a mere three points. "I'm very pleased with my performance and our team so far in 1999. I have been in both Pro Stock finals of the '99 season and have two runner-up finishes. I have won more rounds so far this season than I won all of last year combined," said Troy. Troy hopes to enter Federal-Mogul's elite Speed Pro 200-mph Club as the fifth member. "This track has been very quick and fast in the past. If the conditions are right and we have the right setup, our team is capable of a 200-mph run," noted Coughlin. Last year, Troy posted a DNQ and is looking forward to a very strong finish at Gainesville Raceway this year. With two runner-up finishes so far, his first NHRA Pro Stock win is right around the corner.

Mike Coughlin's #28 JEG'S Mail Order S-10 will return to the quarter mile battle field with a fresh Maskin/DART Machinery engine between the frame rails. "Having almost 5 1/2 weeks to prepare for this race should really help the performance of our program. Our team went through each truck with a fine toothcomb to insure that everything would be at 110% for this race. With the points chase relatively tight, a strong finish here can make a big jump forward possible," said Coughlin. Mike sits in the number nine spot in the Pro Stock Truck points battle. The first NHRA Pro Stock Truck victory can happen at any time for this extremely talented driver.

"Gainesville Raceway is where I made my first pass in a Pro Stock Truck and received my competition license. Our team tested here in the preseason and Bradenton before the event. I really think that our team has plenty of data on the track and that should make the difference when we pull through the gates," said John Coughlin. John is currently in the number eleven position in the NHRA Winston Pro Stock Truck points after one race. After a disappointing DNQ in his first race, John and the team are looking forward to rebounding with a strong qualifying effort and competitive finish.