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NHRA: Troy Marches Up To The Number One Spot

14 November 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

The third and final day of qualifying ended today for the season ending race. There were a total of 28 cars fighting for the sixteen available positions.

In the third qualifying session Jeg lined up in the left lane. The yellow and black #2 JEG'S Mail Order machine blasted off of the starting line and rocketed down the center of the groove toward the finishline. The run looked great and it was an improvement for Coughlin. Jeg moved up to the No. 2 spot and was the quickest of the session.

Jeg commented, "The guys did a great job with the setup and reading the track. Everything worked together and our tune up is showing strength in the heat."

Troy began the third session sitting in the No. 2 position. Troy took on the right lane in the third qualifying session. The #24 JEG'S Olds Cutlass launched from the starting line beams and followed the groove to the big end. Troy's run was not an improvement over his previous time, he slipped to the No. 3 position and was the sixth quickest of the session.

Troy said, "Our team really has a good handle on the setup. The track and conditions are coming to us."

Jeg ran in the right lane for the final session. The yellow and black JEG'S car left the starting line hard and hooked up with the track. Jeg did not improve in the final session and he slipped to the number five position.

Jeg commented, "The car felt good going down track and we are looking strong for raceday."

Jeg is in a battle with Kurt Johnson for the No. 2 spot in the '99 NHRA Winston and came into this weekend 57 points behind Kurt. Jeg out qualified Kurt and picked more points in the process. Coughlin will face off against V. Gaines in the first round, Jeg has lane choice.

Jeg added, "We will give it everything we have tomorrow. We have a great group of guys and everyone is working toward the same goal."

Troy showed the Pro Stock class that he is the man to beat. He took the No. one spot for the first time in his career. Troy explained, "The car left the starting line and pulled all the way down the track, I knew that I made a great run. Our team did their job well and it shows by the numbers that went up on the timing board."

Troy will face off against Mike Trumble in the first round, Coughlin will have lane choice. Troy is in a battle of his own and has his sights set on moving up in the points. He entered this race in the No. 7 position and trailed Mike Edwards by 31 points, Edwards failed to qualify.

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