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NHRA: Coughlin Brothers Will Battle From Opposite Sides Of The Ladder

27 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

The second and final day of qualifying has come and gone at the race in the desert. Jeg Coughlin, Jr. began today sitting in the No. 3 slot with two sessions remaining to improve his qualifying time and position before raceday. Troy Coughlin and his yellow and black JEG'S machine started the day in the No. 9 position.

In the third qualifying session Jeg and his Maskin/DART Machinery powered Olds Cutlass took on the right lane. Coughlin showed that he could improve his qualifying time. The yellow and black JEG'S machine blasts down the middle of the groove in the heat. Jeg ran a 6.921 at 199.55 mph and was the second quickest of the session, but remained in the No. 3 spot.

Jeg commented, "We are continuing to fine tune our setup. The changes that we have made from yesterday are small measurable changes that will make the difference on raceday."

Troy and his JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass lined up in the left lane during the third session. Troy did not improve his qualifying time during the third session and slipped to the No. 11 position. He ran a 6.964 at 197.59 mph. Although the run was not an improvement the team continued to gain more valuable data that will be helpful tomorrow.

Troy explained, "That run was not what we were really looking for. But the important thing is that we gained more information on the track and what the car responds well to."

Jeg and his JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass continued to look strong in the final session. Coughlin was in the left lane and launched from the starting line and headed straight down the middle of the lane. The yellow and black JEG'S machine was the third quickest of the final session and ran a 6.950 @ 198.78 mph, no improvement. However, he showed that he and his car have their game face on for raceday.

Jeg noted, "I think that we are ready for raceday. The car has continued to respond well through qualifying." Coughlin added, "I would like nothing more than to have another strong performance this weekend and I think that we are on target."

Jeg will have lane choice over Larry Morgan in round one, both drivers are from the Central Ohio area.

Troy ran the right lane in the final session. He launched from the starting line and the car did not respond well, Troy was forced to shut off and coast to the finishline. Troy landed in the No. 12 position and will face off against Bruce Allen.

Troy said, "We just go a little too aggressive. I think that we have plenty of solid data for raceday and I can't wait till the first round."

Text provided by Scott Woodruff

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