Only one driver has this prestigious trophy on his mantle. There are eight others with a chance to join the two-time Pro Modified champion Mike Ashley in this exclusive club of one.

The Jegs Crown is one of the most sought-after awards in sportsman drag racing, earned only by winning both Jegs Sportsnationals events in a single season.

The Jegs Sportsnationals returns to Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, for a third consecutive Memorial Day Weekend on May 25-27.

"The JEGS SPORTSnationals has been a big deal among sportsman racers for many years," said JEGS Owner and Driver of the Team JEGS Top Dragster, Mike Coughlin. "The Beech Bend Raceway Park venue, family atmosphere of Memorial weekend, and the ever-growing competition surrounding the JEGS Crown makes this a must-attend event.”

This year, Jason Coan (Comp Eliminator), Michael Bryant (Super Stock), Ricky Pennington (Stock), Jonathan Anderson (Super Comp), Joe Harper (Super Gas), Gary Horstmann (Super Street), Jason Lynch (Top Sportsman), and Lynn Ellison (Top Dragster) all have a shot at capturing the exclusive Crown.

“Winning that [JEGS Crown] would be awesome.," said Comp Eliminator contender Jason Coan. "I’ve been fortunate enough to win this race three times including last year, and I feel like we’ve got a car that is capable of winning again. I also love racing in Bowling Green. It’s always been one of my favorite tracks and we’ve had a lot of success there. I try to never miss a race in Bowling Green.”

Michael Bryant traveled to Bowling Green last season from New Orleans, experienced the thrill of victory.

“Last year, that was my first [national event] win in Super Stock—and it was great," Bryant said. "I can’t imagine what it would be like to go back and do it again, but we’re sure going to try. Winning that [JEGS Crown] trophy would be icing on the cake.”

For Stock racer Rick Pennington, this weekend's event can provide potentially a lifetime memory.

“I would not miss this race for the world," Pennington said. "I want a chance to get that special trophy. It was cool, last year I actually got to touch it and now I’d like to win it. It would be a huge career highlight to actually pull it off. It should also give us some good notes to carry over to the following week.”

Gates open on Thursday, May 24 at 9 a.m. EST. Qualifying action begins on Friday at 8 a.m. EST as Super Stock, Stock, Super Gas, Super Street, Super Comp, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman, Competition Eliminator, and new in 2018, Sportsman Motorcycle categories take to the track. Top Sportsman and Top Dragster categories will compete in a 32-car field.

Eliminations for all classes will be held on Sunday with National points at stake in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series including Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Sportsman, and Top Dragster categories while Lucas Oil Divisional points will be awarded in Super Street and Sportsman Motorcycle.