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NHRA: JEG'S Team Instore for Busy Weekend

28 April 1999

NHRA's largest all-family professional team will have a lot on their performance plate at the Pennzoil Nationals presented by Trak Auto. The Pennzoil Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park is the sixth stop on the twenty-two-race NHRA tour. The track and weather conditions make for a great combination for record-breaking performances in both the Pro Stock and Pro Stock Truck classes.

Pro Stock brother duo Jeg and Troy Coughlin will continue their quest for the '99 NHRA Winston Pro Stock Championship using their much talked about two car team approach to winning. Mike Coughlin will debut the newest Chevy S-10 Pro Stock Truck built by Jerry Haas. This new vehicle is expected to be both quicker and faster, which will be the added ammo that the team needs to make the difference in the race for the teams first Pro Stock Truck win. Pro Stock Truck "rookie" John Coughlin will park his JEG'S Pro Stock Truck for the weekend and compete at the Federal-Mogul Division 3 event in Indianapolis in an effort to qualify for the Federal-Mogul All-Star Race.

After a disappointing DNQ in Houston, Troy Coughlin rebounded at the Castrol Nationals. A question that is surrounding the Pro Stock pit area is who will be the next member of the elite Federal-Mogul Speed Pro 200-Mph Club? Troy is certainly a front runner to be added to this group that includes Warren Johnson, Jeg Coughlin, Kurt Johnson & Ray Franks respectfully. "We have the horsepower and the car to break this barrier. My car is a newly built Don Ness Olds Cutlass, which should help us cut through the air better," noted Coughlin. This is the second race for this new car. Troy is currently in the number three position in the NHRA Winston points. The #24 JEG'S Mail Order Cutlass has been one of the most consistent cars of this ultra-competitive class.

Jeg Coughlin would like to put his performance at the Castrol Nationals behind him, which was the site of his first DNQ of the '99 NHRA season. Jeg dropped to the number five position in the NHRA Winston points. "Our team is extremely motivated to get the yellow and black JEG'S colors back on top. We tested before getting to Richmond which really helped us to sort through some of the problems that hurt us in Dallas," said '98 NHRA Rookie of the Year Jeg. Virginia Motorsports Park will be the site of some record breaking runs if the conditions are right. The cool air and low humidity are conditions that the "factory hot rods" desire. Jeg said, "We know that this track has the potential for some record breaking times. Our goal is for it to be a yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order machine."

With a new Pro Stock Truck, talented driver Mike Coughlin and the Maskin horsepower's first win is right around the corner. At the last race in Houston Mike and his #28 JEG'S Mail Order machine took out '98 Pro Stock Truck Champion Larry Kopp in the first round. Mike eventually lost to race winner Mark Osborne in the semifinal round, which was a very close race. "We are really making a lot of positive steps forward with our program. Every race has presented challenges which we have taken head on and learned from as a team," said Coughlin. Mike is currently in the number seven position in the '99 NHRA Winston points and looks to continue his march toward the number one spot at the Pennzoil Nationals.

John Coughlin will leave his #31 JEG'S Pro Stock Truck at the race shop for the weekend. John will race his yellow and black JEG'S Super Stock car at the Federal-Mogul division 3 event in an effort to be the division 3 Super Stock representative for the '99 Federal-Mogul All-Star event at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals. "My racing roots come from the sportsman ranks, our business was built on providing the best customer service at the price that people want to pay. We have been very well represented as a team in the Federal-Mogul All-Star race in the past. All of my brother's (Troy, Mike & Jeg, Jr.) have competed in this special race and I would like nothing more then to add my name to this elite list. Having this race at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals, in our hometown, with 300 plus employees of JEG'S, friends, and family wanting you to win is a great feeling."

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