NHRA: Team JEG'S is ready
30 January 2001
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
"I believe that fans are in store for the most competitive Pro Stock season
in history," said reigning Pro Stock Champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. "NHRA has made a
number positive steps toward making NHRA's most competitive professional
class even more competitive."
The door-handle-to-door style racing has undergone some of the biggest rule changes in an effort to even greater strengthen this already vicious class. The NHRA implemented a standard wheel base in Pro Stock of 105 inches". In addition, all vehicles in competition are required to have their fuel cell mounted in front of the engine. To further increase the competitiveness of this ultra "cut throat" class vehicle manufactures are rolling out new body styles for the first time in years.
General Motors has made the switch to the Chevy Cavalier and Pontiac Grand Am as their vehicles of choice for the '01 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season. The Dodge camp will be moving into Neon's. During the '00 NHRA season a Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar hit the track.
In an effort to better police the aerodynamics, rules were changed to allow composite bodies in the Pro Stock class effective for the '01 NHRA season. The stock rear quarter panels and roof of the past have been replaced with ultra light sleek body panels.
"We took delivery of two '01 Chevy Cavaliers in the second half of January. The team immediately went to work on preparing them for the '01 NHRA season at the Jeg's stable," explained Jeg. "When we returned from the Winston Finals we prepared made changes to the Olds Cutlass' as a back up plan. We just ran out of time and made the decision to start the season with the Oldsmobile Cutlass' that we ended last season with."
Jeg and Troy both spent two days testing in Houston before heading to the '01 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season opener. The second day of testing the Coughlin brothers took part in the annual Pontiac Pro Stock Super Bowl held at Houston Raceway Park.
"The Pontiac Pro Stock Super Bowl is the first real look at what to expect in the upcoming season for Pro Stock. It was the first time that Troy and I have been our cars with the engines running since we left Pomona in November," said Jeg. "We got a good look and everyone there was on the same battlefield (referring to conditions)."
Jeg was defeated in the semifinal round by event winner Bruce Allen. Troy went out in the first round.
"We learned a lot during our two days of testing and now that we dusted things off we are ready for Pomona and the start of the '01 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season," Troy said with excitement.
He added, "We are all tied for the '01 NHRA Winston Championship when we get to Pomona. Consistency and capitalizing on others misfortune are the two big ingredients to winning the Championship."
Jeg and Troy Coughlin are in an elite group of five NHRA Pro Stock drivers who qualified for all 24 National Events last season. The yellow and black tag team was responsible for 10 national event wins, six runner up finishes, Troy won the Winston Showdown and the Coughlin brothers met in the final round of the Holley Dominator Duel.
"Everyone makes mistakes and racing isn't any different. The difference in being successful is learning from the mistakes and making you stronger," noted Troy. "We feel that best years of our team are in front of us."
The team is excited to get to Pomona and start the season. All of the off-season preparation will be tested when qualifying for the AutoZone Winternationals begins February 1st. The team has had much success in Pomona.
"Aside from the travels out west, racing in Pomona is as good as it gets. The fans are great, the grandstands are always packed and it's the home of the NHRA," said Jeg. "Winning five of the last seven times there doesn't hurt either."
Text Provided By Scott Woodruff
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