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NHRA: Team JEG'S is hungry to continue winning

31 May 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

The JEG'S Mail Order Pro Stock team continues to look like the team to beat as the NHRA heads to Route 66 Raceway for the 10th race of the 24 race season. Jeg Coughlin, Jr. continues his quest for his first professional Championship. Troy Coughlin has shown that consistency and determination make the difference in tight points battles among fellow competitors.

Jeg Coughlin, Jr. heads into the Prestone Nationals in the familiar No. 1 spot in the NHRA Winston Championship points, a position which he has held firmly since the conclusion of the season opening race in early February. Jeg leads with 787 points and his closest competitor is a distant 224 points behind.

The yellow and black Oldsmobile Cutlass has won six titles in eight races. Most recently Jeg was defeated in the first round by his brother and teammate Troy Coughlin in the first round of the Castrol Nationals.

"To say that I am hungry for another win is an understatement. Last weekend we simply started behind the eight ball and spent qualifying getting back on track," explained Jeg. "Our team is ready for battle. I will prepare myself mentally that the Prestone Nationals is the first race of the season and that I need to leave the event with the points lead."

Troy Coughlin is resting in the No. 4 spot in the NHRA Winston Championship with 451 points. He trails Jim Yates in a battle for the No. 3 position by a mere 8 points. Troy has shown how consistency pays off in a battle for this two car team to finish one and two in the 2000 NHRA Winston Championship.

Last year Troy posted a runner-up finish at this event. The team discovered a problem with the engine after being called to the lanes for the final round match up. The men in yellow and black worked together and made an engine changes in less than 15 minutes. With a new unknown engine between the frame rails the team made the final round and rolled the dice on the set up.

"Our program is much stronger and smarter than we were a year ago. We have continued to avoid beating ourselves on raceday," noted Troy. "Our entire team works together and everyone contributes to the success that we have had and will continue to have."

Route 66 Raceway is among the elite facilities on the NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series schedule. Since opening in 1997 for competition the two newest facilities (Bristol Dragway & The Strip at Las Vegas Speedway) have been modeled after this state-of-the-art facility.

"It's always great to come to a first class facility to race," commented Jeg. "Coming to a track like this only makes you want to win more."

"After getting beat in the final here last year it only makes our team work harder to walk away with the win," said Troy.

Rain in Englishtown, NJ two weeks ago rescheduled the Holley Dominator Duel. The all-star race among the elite eight Pro Stock drivers will take place Saturday, June 3rd as part of the Prestone Nationals. Jeg Coughlin will face off against Bruce Allen and Troy Coughlin will line up next to WJ in round one. It is the second career appearance for both Jeg and Troy. Jeg enters the 2000 Holley Pro Stock Dominator Duel as the defending Champion.

"It is very rewarding as a team to be involved in a race of this caliber," stated Troy. "It is reward for a season filled with hard work."

"I am looking forward to this race with great anticipation," said Jeg. "This is a great program for the fans, teams and Holley Performance Products."

Text provided by Scott Woodruff

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