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NHRA: Coughlin Brothers Are Looking Forward To Improving Saturday

18 March 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Friday was the first day of qualifying for the professional classes. The Mac Tools Gatornationals is the first race of the 2000 NHRA season where all five professional classes compete at the same event.

Cloud cover took over the sky above Gainesville Raceway on Friday. Because the sun was not beating down on the track all day it helped the Pro Stock Trucks plant their horsepower to the track surface.

John Coughlin's yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order Chevy S-10 took on the left lane of the quarter mile battle field during the first session. John launched from the starting line and headed straight down the middle of the groove. His JEG'S machine ran a 7.600 @ 176.86 Mph to land in the No. 14 position after the first of four scheduled qualifying sessions.

John commented about his first run of the weekend, "We made a clean full pass, which will help add to our data for improving our set up." Coughlin added, "We have all of the ingredients under our awnings to have a successful weekend."

Mike Coughlin was in the right lane during the first qualifying session. Mike was the second of the two identical looking yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order Chevy S-10's to run in the first session. The JEG'S S-10 left the starting line beams on its journey to the finishline for the first time this weekend. Mike ran a 7.610 @ 176.37 and ended up in the No. 17 spot after the first qualifying session.

Mike explained, "We did some testing for two days in southern Florida before coming to Gainesville. I think that will help us throughout the weekend and get the JEG'S S-10's closer to the winners circle on Sunday."

During the second qualifying session the two JEG'S Mail Order Chevy S-10's lined up next to each other. John was in the right lane and his younger brother Mike was in the left lane. Both of the yellow and black Chevy S-10's charged down the track side-by-side. Mike and John both improved during the second session.

John Coughlin ran a 7.589 @ 178.14 Mph, which moved him into the No.19 spot. John said, "We are working through a host of set up ideas and we will come out swinging tomorrow."

Mike Coughlin and his yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order Chevy S-10 improved and ran a 7.594 @ 176.97 Mph and moved to the No. 20 position. Mike explained, "Having a two truck team and twice the data really helps to rule things out when your not running as well as you know that you should." Coughlin added, "We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in our pit, which will help us going into the last day of qualifying."

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.