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NHRA: Team Jeg's Back on Track and Ready to Roll in Chicago

2 June 1999

The JEG'S Mail Order Racing Team is coming off of a successful weekend. Jeg Coughlin, Jr. won the Holley Dominator Duel, the Pro Stock All-Star Race held annually at the Mopar Parts Nationals. Jeg made it to the semifinal round in Pro Stock, where he was defeated by the eventual winner, Richie Stevens. The Pro Stock brother duo, Mike and John Coughlin, had a strong showing. Pro Stock Truck "rookie", John was defeated in the second round. Mike Coughlin took home the Pro Stock Truck honors, which made him the fourth and final of the Coughlin Brothers to win a NHRA National Event.

"Our team was very pleased with our performance at the last race, however we still have plenty of room for improvement. The team's hard work and dedication the past few weeks has paid off and I believe our program is at a turning point in the '99 season," commented Jeg Coughlin, Sr., who is the team advisor. The commented team includes Clint Allerton, Mike Cunningham, Craig Hankinson, Eric Luzinski, Dan McDonald, Wayne Perdue, Ron Richards, Ian Rough, Rick Rossiter, Ed Tickle and Scott "Woody" Woodruff. "With team work great things are possible. Everyone is focused and is full of energy, which is a great combination to have when people work together toward accomplishing the same goals and objectives."

Troy Coughlin is currently in the seventh position in the Winston Point standings. Troy was plagued with a DNQ at the Mopar Parts nationals, where he was bumped out in the final qualifying session. "I am looking forward to coming to Joliet and Route 66 Raceway. The facility is state of the art and surrounded with excitement. It's very uplifting to come to a race like this. I would like nothing more than to win my first Pro Stock title at such a wonderful facility," said Coughlin. Troy trails his younger brother Jeg by six points. With a strong showing at the Fram National Troy could rearrange the Pro Stock top ten. Pro Stock drivers like Jeg Coughlin (378), Allen Johnson (399), Jim Yates (426) and Richie Stevens (486) are within reach with a win. "There ia a lot of time left in the '99 season. With consistent semifinal round appearances or better the point defect will shrink rapidly," stated Troy.

'98 NHRA "rookie of the year" Jeg Coughlin, Jr. is coming off of a very impressive weekend. Jeg competed in his first Holley Dominator Duel race of his career. The young Coughlin took out Pro Stock standouts Kurt Johnson, Jim Yates and Warren Johnson on the way to his first ever win of the Pro Stock all-star race. In addition, Jeg rebounded well in Englishtown. He ended a three race DNQ streak with a semifinal round finish to Richie Stevens, who was the race winner. "We have struggled a little in the past weeks, so it was great to post a competitive finish after working so hard. The team is dedicated to getting the JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass back in the winner's circle and accumulating points for the championship," noted Jeg. The number six spot in the '99 NHRA Winston points is where Jeg intends on improving from this weekend at Route 66 Raceway. "The facility that surrounds the race track is a look into the future of NHRA Drag Racing and it's great to be a part of it."

Mike Coughlin is the latest winner of the Pro Stock Truck class. Mike commented on his win, "I have been racing in the NHRA for fourteen years in a variety of different classes, winning an NHRA national event has always been a dream of mine." Mike became the final Coughlin brother to win a NHRA national event at the Mopar Parts Nationals. Last year was his "rookie" year in Pro Stock Truck and he has been making quite a name for himself in the newest NHRA professional class. "I have a number of great people helping me. Our entire team is 100% committed to winning and our team works great together, my father has assembled a team that has a passion for excellence," noted Coughlin. Mike is currently in the number six position in the Pro Stock Truck top ten and in within reach of the number four spot with another win. '98 Pro Stock Truck champion Larry Kopp is hot on Mike's trail and is a mere three points behind. Mike is behind Tim Freeman (374), Randy Daniels (405), and Bob Panella, Jr. (427) and is looking forward to continuing his run on the '99 NHRA Pro Stock Truck Championship at the Fram Nationals.

Pro Stock Truck "rookie" John Coughlin and his #31 JEG'S Mail Order S-10 are looking for their first Pro Stock Truck victory. John was defeated in the second round at the Mopar Parts Nationals by Bob Panella. John is resting in the number sixteen position in the '99 points chase and is 127 points from the top ten. John started driving Mike's former Jerry Haas built S-10 in Englishtown and seems to be right at home. "My driving has really improved and I really like the feel of this truck. Richard Maskin and his staff at DART have been busy improving the horsepower that goes between the frame rails," said the oldest Coughlin. John can make a move as high as the number eleven spot at the conclusion of the Fram Nationals.

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