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NHRA: Runner up finish for Mike Coughlin at Pomona

14 November 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

In the opening round of Pro Stock Truck John and Mike Coughlin faced off. Mike had lane choice and took the left lane.

John took the starting line advantage by .009 seconds (.426 to .435). The identical looking yellow and black Jeg's Mail Order Chevy S-10's raced side by side. The light went to Mike by.016 seconds. John ran a 7.554 at 178.61 mph and Mike ran a 7.529 at 178.87 mph.

"Both of us went straight down our lanes," said Mike. "It was a good race. We both would have rather faced each other in the final."

"I had a great season," commented John. "I just wish that it wasn't over."

In the second round Mike went head-to-head with Steve Johns. Mike left the starting line beams first by .031 seconds (.431 to .462). The two Chevy S-10's were side-by-side racing to get the win light. Mike turned on the win light on a holeshot by running a 7.529 at 179.21 mph to Johns quicker 7.505 at 177.91 mph. The margin of victory at the stripe was .007 seconds.

"We knew going into the round that it would be a close race," said Mike. "We just focused on doing our job in our own lane."

Mike faced off against Jeff Gracia in the semifinal round. The Jeg's machine left Jeff Gracia at the starting line with a .418 to .467 reaction time. Trouble in the other lane as Mike took the win light with a 7.548 at 179.11 mph.

"We did not get lane choice for the final like we wanted to," said Mike. "The guys have done a great job tuning this Chevy S-10. They have been getting everything out of it every time we have gone down the track."

In the final round Mike faced Greg Stanfield. Lane choice went to Stanfield and Mike was in the right lane. The Jeg's machine left first with a .404 reaction time, Stanfield was .430. The win light came on for Stanfield by .023 seconds at the stripe. Mike ran a 7.569 at 179.18 mph.

"We had a great season and we will be back stronger then ever next year."

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.