---

NHRA: Jeg Coughlin, Jr Wins First Race Of The Season Again

8 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Troy Is Looking Forward to The Next Race And Will Be Strong

The sun filled sky is back for raceday, which gave the teams different conditions to deal with. The racing surface changed throughout the day as the sun beat down on the track.

Troy Coughlin and his JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass went head-to-head against Richie Stevens in the first round, Coughlin took the left lane. Coughlin turned on the red light and Stevens advanced to the next round.

Troy said, "We ran well all weekend. Our team showed a lot of strength and I'm looking forward to having the best season that I have ever had in NHRA Winston Drag Racing." Coughlin added, "We will be ready for the CSK Nationals in Phoenix and look to be strong."

Defending '99 AutoZone Winternationals Champion Jeg Coughlin, Jr. faced off against John Fairleigh in the opening round. The yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass had lane choice and took the left lane.

Jeg explained, "The guys on the team really did their job. Some of the cars were moving around on the track in front of us. The team put more wing in the car to help create more down force and prevent the JEG'S machine from moving around."

Coughlin continued, "The increase of wing angle seemed to help and the guys did a great job reading the track." Jeg and the #2 JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass made the quickest run of the first round, which earned him lane choice over Greg Anderson in the second round.

The yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order machine took the left lane in the second round. Greg Anderson turn on the dreaded right light and the win light automatically came on for the men in yellow and black.

Jeg noted, "This JEG'S Olds Cutlass is following the middle of the groove like it's on a string. I just can't say enough about our team." Coughlin again made the quickest run of the session and earned lane choice for the semifinal round.

The final round put the '99 Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson toe-to-toe with the #2 finisher in the '99 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series and defending Champion of last years AutoZone Winternationals. Coughlin had lane choice and took the left lane again.

The two cars left the starting line together with almost identical reaction times. The Richard Maskin/DART Machinery horsepower proved to be unstoppable as the yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass took the win light.

Jeg said, "This is the way to start a season. The JEG'S Mail Order Cutlass ran great all day and the team did their job. A win like this shows how teamwork pays off."

Text Provided by Scott Woodruff

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.