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NHRA: Team JEG'S Knows Houston Raceway Park

14 April 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Pro Stock points leader Jeg Coughlin, Jr. is fresh off of a win. Troy Coughlin has a runner-up finish and a semifinal round appearance in the last two races. The yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass' have shown that solid performances and consistency have been the key to their success this season.

"We have a great team of talented, dedicated and knowledgeable people that work together." Jeg added, "That has been the key to our success."

Jeg Coughlin, Jr. has won 3 of the 4 races in the 2000 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. His most recent win rewarded him with a 49 point lead over Warren Johnson, who sits in the No. 2 position.

"The season is very young and a lot will happen before the season finale in mid November." The points leader added, "Our goal is to win the Championship as a team. If we continue to eliminate mistakes and win late rounds the No. 1 will be on a JEG'S Mail Order car next year."

Houston Raceway Park is the site of Jeg, Jr's first professional victory behind the wheel of a "factory hotrod." In only his second race driving a Pro Stock car the young Coughlin walked away with a win at the '97 Matco Tools SuperNationals. In '98 Jeg and his yellow and black JEG'S Mail Order Olds Cutlass came back and successfully defended his first professional win at Houston Raceway Park. 1999 was not as kind as the two previous years. Jeg posted a first round defeat and a semifinal round appearance. Coughlin has raced 5 times and has 2 wins, 2 semifinal round appearances and a first round defeat.

Jeg commented about his success at Houston Raceway Park, "We have done a great job reading this track in the past. By coming to this facility twice a year and doing so well we have accumulated a lot of data in a short period of time." Coughlin added, "I'm fired up! We are coming off of a win, going to the track where I won my first professional race, we have had a lot of success in here in the past; what a combination!"

Troy Coughlin is resting in the No. 5 position with 236 points. Ron Krisher is ahead of Troy by 2 points and Mark Pawuk is leading by a mere 3 points. Another strong performance this week and Troy will be sitting in the No. 3 spot in the 2000 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series by the conclusion of the race.

Troy talked about his recent performance, "We have had two great races back-to-back. A runner-up and semifinal round showing, that's strong!" Coughlin noted, "If a team can have an average of a semifinal round appearance throughout the season; you'll be a contender for the Championship.."

Troy Coughlin has had eight career final round appearances in Pro Stock. Coughlin's knock is getting louder and the door to the winners circle could open at anytime.

"It took John Force nine times of trying till he pushed his way into the winners circle." Troy continued, "It would be very special to win my first professional NHRA race at the same site where Jeg won his first." The JEG'S Mail Order Team has proved that the two car concept works. The young team has grown their data base and gained experience in 3 years that a single car team might have taken 6 to 8 years to accumulate.

Team advisor and father Jeg Coughlin, Sr said, "A successful team needs data, competitive equipment and people giving it everything that they have while working toward a common goal. That's how you win and that is what Team JEG'S is all about!"

Text provided by Scott Woodruff

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