Troy Coughlin Jr. clinched the 2019 East Region Top Alcohol Dragster championship Saturday with a clutch win at the Power in the Park Division1 finale at Virginia Motorsports Park. It's Coughin's second straight regional title, pairing with the North Central Region title he won last year.
 
"You win with people," Coughlin said. "Talk about ability; the guys on this JEGS.com team are so damn tenacious. They had their hearts set on winning this thing and they went out there and made it happen. I really didn't even drive my best but they covered me every round and here we are with another championship. I'm speechless."

Entering the race, Coughlin was looking up at Josh Hart, who had passed him in the championship standings at the last Division 1 race in Epping, N.H. The points were so tight that Coughlin found himself needing to win the final D1 race of the year to beat Hart via a tie-breaker, which ultimately came down to head-to-head wins. Coughlin beat Hart three times this year. Hart only beat Coughlin once.
 
"I guess we could have been down on ourselves after Epping but that never happened," Coughlin said. "It ended up creating a really neat storyline, something that got the fans excited, which is great for the sport, but ultimately it didn't change what we were doing.
 
"To me, it was a classic example of never giving up, never giving in. No matter what life throws at you, and I'm not just talking about racing, if you keep your head up and find a way to enjoy the process, you can overcome anything. We just proved that."
 
Although he was a little hard on himself, Coughlin did leave on every one of his opponents Saturday. He used a .040-second starting line edge to run away from first-round opponent Rich Bourke, winning with a 5.201 at 280.60 mph to Bourke's 5.292 at 269.46 mph.

Hart then had a chance to clinch the title for himself as he faced Coughlin in Round 2, but Hart was too eager at the starting line, disqualifying himself with a -.083 second foul launch. Coughlin probably wouldn't have been caught anyway as he ran a 5.154 at 281.54 mph to Harts meaningless 5.216 at 281.19 mph.
 
With the championship on the line, Coughlin coolly dismissed Dan Mercier with a 5.149 at 283.49 mph to Mercier's 5.421 at 250.27 mph. Coughlin left first by .017 seconds.
 
"Rich and Richie (McPhillips) figured out perfect tune-ups every round," Coughlin said. "We started the race with temperatures in the 90s and by today it was down in the 60s. It didn't faze these guys at all. Duke Roney was perfect with the clutch. Charlie Wroten and Charlie Greco set the car up just right. John Flenard and Andy Goode perfectly executed their jobs. When I say it's about the people, these are the people I'm talking about.
 
"We won this for everyone back at JEGS, the supporters we have at Amalie Motor Oil, Bonifante Friction Inc., Weld Racing, ARP and Global Electronic Technology. This is for everyone that believes in us."
 
Saturday's win, Coughlin's fifth of the year in 10 final-round appearances, will help his drive for the national championship as well. He has two more national events left on his schedule, including next weekend's 12th annual Carolina NHRA Nationals. Coughlin currently ranks third in the national rankings.

The following are Saturday's final results for TAD and TAFC and final qualifying results for Sunday's competition from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Northeast Division event at Virginia Motorsports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER:

ROUND ONE
4) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.177, 277.66 def. 5) Jackie Fricke, Flemington, N.J., 5.251,
274.39; 3) Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., 5.132, 282.42 def. 6) Tom Fox Jr., Shamong, N.J., foul; 2) Troy
Coughlin Jr., Delaware, Ohio, 5.201, 280.60 def. 7) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.292,
269.46; 1) Dan Mercier, Saint-Michel, Quebec, 5.901, 276.97 def. 8) Jeff Veale, Stoney Creek, Ont.,
11.597, 81.02;

SEMI-FINALS
Mercier, 5.162, 282.36 def. Shields, 5.188, 280.19; Coughlin Jr., 5.154, 281.54 def. Hart, foul;

FINALS
Coughlin Jr., 5.149, 283.49 def. Mercier, 5.421, 250.27.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR

ROUND ONE
1) Annie Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., '19 Camaro, 10.292, 84.38 def. 8) Joshua Haskett, N.
Wilkesboro, N.C., '12 Monte Carlo, broke; 2) Shane Westerfield, Anaheim, Calif., '18 Camaro, 5.435,
272.28 def. 7) Aryan Rochon, Dade City, Fla., '18 Camaro, 5.808, 207.88; 6) DJ Cox Jr., Whiteford,
Md., '19 Camaro, 5.423, 269.29 def. 3) Chris Marshall, McMinnville, Ore., '17 Camaro, broke; 4)
Matt Gill, West Bridgewater, Mass., '16 Camaro, 5.466, 271.08 def. 5) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J.,
'10 Monte Carlo, 5.504, 262.54;

SEMI-FINALS
Cox Jr., 6.092, 241.32 def. Westerfield, broke; Gill, 5.491, 269.56 def. Whiteley, 7.624, 126.76;

FINALS
Gill, 5.413, 272.23 def. Cox Jr., 5.411, 270.32.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Joseph Carnasciale, Ashaway, R.I., '06 Cavalier, I/SM, 8.764 seconds, -0.756 (under index)
2) Frank Aragona, Freehold, N.J., '19 Ken Keir, J/AA, 7.353, -0.737
3) Randy Daniels, Grantsboro, N.C., '08 Sunfire, E/SM, 8.356, -0.724
4) Pete Hanratty, Speonk, N.Y., dragster, K/A, 7.560, -0.700
5) Don Eckel, Piscataway, N.J., '09 Prostart, C/DA, 6.893, -0.677
6) Patrick Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '05 Grand AM, F/A, 7.984, -0.656
7) Thomas Miller, Nottingham, Pa., '06 Cobalt, C/AA, 7.245, -0.655
8) Anthony Mangrum, Providence Forge, Va., '02 Cougar, A/A, 6.507, -0.653
9) Todd Logan, Kingston, Mass., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.261, -0.649
10) Jay Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., '96 Oldsmobile, I/A, 8.125, -0.635

SUPER STOCK PRESENTED BY ATI
1) Stephen Comella, Webster, N.Y., '68 Plymouth, GT/AA, 8.525 seconds, -1.175 (under index)
2) Gary Wolkwitz, Whitehouse Station, N.J., '68 Dart, SS/AH, 8.503, -1.097
3) Al Smyth, Uxbridge, Mass., '68 Barracuda, SS/AH, 8.503, -1.097
4) Donald Belles, Collegeville, Pa., '17 Copo, FSS/D, 8.877, -1.023
5) Jeff Longhany, Wade, N.C., '99 Firebird, SS/HA, 9.598, -1.002
6) Vic Cagnazzi, New York, N.Y., '18 Copo, FSS/F, 9.221, -0.979
7) Bob Bagley, Warsaw, Va., '14 Camaro, FSS/F, 9.229, -0.971
8) Troy Huntzberry, Hagerstown, Md., '87 Camaro, SS/IA, 9.737, -0.963
9) Joseph Wright, Norfolk, Va., '00 Trans Am, SS/HA, 9.638, -0.962
10) Bruce Riley, Lake Echo, N.S., '71 Chevelle, SS/DA, 9.241, -0.959

STOCK ELIMINATOR PRESENTED BY ATI
1) John Warehime, Parkville, Md., '84 Cutlass, M/SA, 11.771 seconds, -1.079 (under index)
2) Charles Myers, Winterville, N.C., '81 Mirada, O/SA, 12.080, -1.070
3) Ronald Urquhart, Chesterfield, Va., '68 Camaro SS, E/SA, 10.643, -1.057
4) Mike Moller, Youngsville, N.C., '78 Chevy II, T/SA, 13.370, -1.030
5) Adam Keir, Dunkirk, Md., '70 Nova, A/SA, 9.976, -1.024
6) Jack Matyas, Bethlehem, Pa., '15 Copo, FS/C, 9.277, -1.023
7) Billy Nees, Millmont, Pa., '79 LeMans, Q/SA, 12.787, -1.013
8) Mike Farrell, Menards, N.Y., '72 Duster, E/SA, 10.703, -0.997
9) Jeff Hairrington, Perry, Ga., '14 Cobra JET, FS/E, 9.953, -0.997
10) Marvin Dunahoo, Roanoke, Va., '94 Mustang, N/SA, 12.006, -0.994

SUPER COMP
1) William Hardifer, Shamong, N.J., '19 S & W, S/C, 8.900 seconds, 0.000 (over index)
2) Walter Olt, Medford, N.J., '09 Mullis, S/C, 8.902, 0.002
3) Michael Handras, Brooklyn, N.Y., '12 Race Tech, S/C, 8.903, 0.003
4) Kyle Bigley, West Milford, N.J., '14 Undercover, S/C, 8.903, 0.003
5) Jason Kenny, Kutztown, Pa., '07 Dan Page, S/C, 8.904, 0.004
6) Chase Fahnestock, Elizabethtown, Pa., '99 Race Spclties, S/C, 8.905, 0.005
7) Krystle Woeber, Palm City, Fla., '04 Undercover, S/C, 8.906, 0.006
8) Lauren Freer, Mooresville, N.C., '15 Miller, S/C, 8.911, 0.011
9) Frank Aragona, Freehold, N.J., '16 American, S/C, 8.911, 0.011
10) Kenneth Moses, Colonia, N.J., '14 American, S/C, 8.918, 0.018

SUPER GAS
1) Frank Altilio, Apopka, Fla., '01 Suncoast, S/G, 9.903 seconds, 0.003 (over index)
2) David Anspach, Suffolk, Va., '68 Barracuda, S/G, 9.904, 0.004
3) Lenard Marshall, Orange, Va., '63 Corvette, S/G, 9.906, 0.006
4) Patrick Nuzzo, Irwin, Pa., '93 Mustang, S/G, 9.914, 0.014
5) Hank Smith, Leesport, Pa., '15 Camaro SS, S/G, 9.921, 0.021
6) Charlie Kenopic, Renfrew, Ont., '63 Corvette, S/G, 9.930, 0.030
7) Jim Perry, Niota, Tenn., '00 S-10, S/G, 9.930, 0.030
8) John Taylor, Naples, Fla., '99 Dakota, S/G, 9.932, 0.032
9) Ted Leahy, Jefferson, Mass., '91 Cutlass, S/G, 9.938, 0.038
10) Rich Price, Royersford, Pa., '04 Corvette, S/G, 9.940, 0.040

SUPER STREET
1) Martin Ganjoin, Brick, N.J., '69 Camaro, S/ST, 10.905 seconds, 0.005 (over index)
2) Robbie Welch, Mechanicsville, Md., '66 Fairlane, S/ST, 10.913, 0.013
3) Jimmy Daniel, Montgomery, Ala., '63 Tempest, S/ST, 10.923, 0.023
4) Taylor Iacono, Shamong, N.J., '99 S-10, S/ST, 10.923, 0.023
5) Chris Depascale, Parlin, N.J., '74 Vega, S/ST, 10.925, 0.025
6) Keith Mayers, Ellendale, Del., '85 Porsche, S/ST, 10.947, 0.047
7) David Markle, Scottsville, N.Y., '67 Chevy II, S/ST, 10.985, 0.085
8) Mike Thomas, Holbrook, N.Y., '88 Mustang, S/ST, 10.991, 0.091
9) Casey Cole, Lexington Park, Md., '88 Camaro, S/ST, 10.881, -0.019
10) Brian Sawyer, Luneburg, Mass., '67 Camaro, S/ST, 10.881, -0.019

TOP SPORTSMAN PRESENTED BY SELECT PERFORMANCE
1) Jeff Brooks, Fredericksburg, Va., '51 Henry J, 6.398 seconds, 218.30 mph
2) Mark Payne, Waynesboro, Va., '06 Cavalier, 6.518, 215.20
3) Edward Foley, Warminster, Pa., '18 Mustang, 6.603, 208.68
4) Sandy Wilkins, Mount Ulla, N.C., '69 Camaro, 6.617, 207.08
5) Frederick Perkins, Plainville, Conn., '57 Belair, 6.656, 205.54
6) Ronald Proctor, Harpers Ferry, W.V., '09 Cobra, 6.664, 206.42
7) Vonnie Mills, Kennedyville, Md., '06 Cobalt, 6.669, 207.21
8) Alan Davidowski, Columbus, N.J., '10 GXP, 6.837, 203.28
9) Brian Conrey, Levittown, Pa., dragster, 6.851, 200.71
10) Raymond Jackson, Philadelphia, Pa., '98 Cutlass, 6.868, 201.55

TOP DRAGSTER  PRESENTED BY SELECT PERFORMANCE
1) Frederick Perkins, Higganum, Conn., '16 Maddox, 6.120 seconds, 225.90 mph
2) Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '07 American, 6.138, 225.30
3) Steven Furr, Harrisburg, N.C., '13 American, 6.156, 213.70
4) Alan Kenny, Kutztown, Pa., '14 Dan Page, 6.170, 227.38
5) Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., '14 American, 6.206, 215.44
6) Craig Michaud, Danvers, Mass., '08 Page, 6.247, 216.27
7) James Beckman, Warren, Conn., '15 Boss, 6.252, 223.99
8) Bill Earnest, Knoxville, Tenn., '14 Miller, 6.424, 191.19
9) Kenneth Moses, Colonia, N.J., '19 American, 6.460, 207.24
10) Brian Khoury, Derry, N.H., '12 Dan Page, 6.488, 203.58

PRO STOCK SNOWMOBILE
1) John Parenteau, Brentwood, N.H., '12 Arctic CAT, 8.234 seconds, 156.06 mph
2) Brain Garbus, Terryville, Conn., '17 Yamaha, 8.616, 152.54
3) Chris Ferragamo, Templeton, Mass., '00 Skidoo, 8.628, 147.99
4) Gary Schweikert, Slatington, Pa., '15 Skidoo, 8.681, 147.42

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 13-18
1) Jordan Dittman, Dinwiddie, Va., '13 Half Scale, 0.000 seconds, (no speed)
2) Haleyanne Walter, Delta, Pa., '08 Half Scale, 0.014, 0.01
3) William Blaker, New Rochelle, N.Y., '12 Half Scale, 0.015, 0.02
4) Francis Vignola, Mahwah, N.J., '19 Half Scale, 0.029, 0.03
5) Tori Iacono, Shamong, N.J., dragster, 0.031, 0.03
6) Matt Schell, Chester, N.J., dragster, 0.035, 0.04
7) Anna Sawicki, East Brunswick, N.J., '06 BOS, 0.044, 0.04
8) Katie Hall, Nokesville, Va., '17 BOS, 0.045, 0.05
9) Justin Handwerk, Edison, N.J., '16 Half Scale, 0.057, 0.06

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 6-9
1) Kahlia Lewis, Mechanicsville, Va., dragster, -0.094 seconds, (no speed)
2) James Antonette, Wantagh, N.Y., dragster, -0.065, (no speed)
3) Kaden Paone, Galloway, N.J., dragster, 0.029, 0.03
4) Carter Jackson, Cartersville, Va., '15 ECP, 0.036, 0.04
5) Kole Paone, Galloway, N.J., dragster, 0.037, 0.04
6) Emily Stalba, Hammonton, N.J., '14 Half Scale, 0.043, 0.04
7) Joey Torchia, Galloway, N.J., dragster, 0.068, 0.07
8) James Stack Jr., Gilbertsville, Pa., '04 Half Scale, 0.088, 0.09
9) Michael Antonette, Wantagh, N.Y., dragster, 0.094, 0.09
10) Jj Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., dragster, 0.138, 0.14

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 10-12
1) Ryan Leche, Moyock, N.C., dragster, -0.020 seconds, (no speed)
2) Lavar Lewis Jr., Mechanicsville, Va., dragster, 0.013, 0.01
3) Violet Sawicki, East Brunswick, N.J., dragster, 0.024, 0.02
4) Tyler Depascale, Parlin, N.J., '01 Half Scale, 0.034, 0.03
5) Kenneth Turner Jr., Crewe, Va., '18 BOS, 0.045, 0.05
6) Paul Stalba, Hammonton, N.J., '18 Half Scale, 0.056, 0.06
7) Ryan Schmidt, Berlin, N.J., '18 Half Scale, 0.058, 0.06
8) Madison Schonberger, Southampton, Pa., dragster, 0.141, 0.14
9) Madeline Torchia, Galloway, N.J., dragster, 0.180, 0.18

FRIDAY

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Northeast Division event at Virginia Motorsports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Dan Mercier, Saint-Michel, Quebec, 5.120 seconds, 280.78 mph
2) Troy Coughlin Jr., Delaware, Ohio, 5.143, 283.25
3) Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., 5.170, 281.13
4) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.239, 275.34
5) Jackie Fricke, Flemington, N.J., 5.241, 273.72
6) Tom Fox Jr., Shamong, N.J., 5.269, 270.81
7) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.298, 267.43
8) Jeff Veale, Stoney Creek, Ont., 5.301, 277.60
Not Qualified
9) Jamie Noonan, Spartanburg, S.C., 5.317, 271.79
10) Richard St. Pierre, St. Lin Laurentides, Quebec, 5.353, 260.46
11) Earl Nichols Jr., Elkton, Md., 5.407, 253.42
12) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., 5.538, 260.06
13) Brad McBride, Granite Falls, N.C., 7.022, 151.36

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Annie Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., '19 Camaro, 5.383 seconds, 274.44 mph
2) Shane Westerfield, Anaheim, Calif., '18 Camaro, 5.454, 269.62
3) Chris Marshall, McMinnville, Ore., '17 Camaro, 5.454, 268.17
4) Matt Gill, West Bridgewater, Mass., '16 Camaro, 5.466, 270.16
5) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '10 Monte Carlo, 5.473, 263.82
6) DJ Cox Jr., Whiteford, Md., '19 Camaro, 5.477, 265.69
7) Aryan Rochon, Dade City, Fla., '18 Camaro, 5.704, 256.50
8) Joshua Haskett, N. Wilkesboro, N.C., '12 Monte Carlo, 5.884, 240.12
Not Qualified
9) Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., '14 Mustang, (no time)

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Frank Aragona, Freehold, N.J., '19 Ken Keir, J/AA, 7.375 seconds, -0.715 (under index)
2) Pete Hanratty, Speonk, N.Y., dragster, K/A, 7.560, -0.700
3) Randy Daniels, Grantsboro, N.C., '08 Sunfire, E/SM, 8.411, -0.669
4) Joseph Carnasciale, Ashaway, R.I., '06 Cavalier, I/SM, 8.876, -0.644
5) Jay Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., '96 Oldsmobile, I/A, 8.125, -0.635
6) Thomas Miller, Nottingham, Pa., '06 Cobalt, C/AA, 7.266, -0.634
7) Don Eckel, Piscataway, N.J., '09 Prostart, C/DA, 6.947, -0.623
8) Patrick Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '05 Grand AM, F/A, 8.039, -0.601
9) Richard Schonberger, Southampton, Pa., '06 Cavalier, I/SM, 8.978, -0.582
10) Elio Mannino, Pine Brook, N.J., '06 Escort, B/AA, 7.046, -0.574

SUPER STOCK PRESENTED BY ATI
1) Gary Wolkwitz, Whitehouse Station, N.J., '68 Dart, SS/AH, 8.503 seconds, -1.097 (under index)
2) Stephen Comella, Webster, N.Y., '68 Plymouth, GT/AA, 8.730, -0.970
3) Al Smyth, Uxbridge, Mass., '68 Barracuda, SS/AH, 8.635, -0.965
4) Troy Huntzberry, Hagerstown, Md., '87 Camaro, SS/IA, 9.737, -0.963
5) Lynwood Daugherty, Salem, Va., '98 Firebird, SS/IA, 9.768, -0.932
6) Vic Cagnazzi, New York, N.Y., '18 Copo, FSS/F, 9.292, -0.908
7) Bruce Riley, Lake Echo, N.S., '71 Chevelle, SS/DA, 9.306, -0.894
8) Joseph Wright, Norfolk, Va., '00 Trans Am, SS/HA, 9.717, -0.883
9) Doug Chervanik, Sunbury, Pa., '82 Camaro, GT/OA, 10.569, -0.881
10) Jeff Roell, Danbury, Conn., '10 Cobra Jet, FSS/G, 9.385, -0.865

STOCK ELIMINATOR PRESENTED BY ATI
1) Charles Myers, Winterville, N.C., '81 Mirada, O/SA, 12.080 seconds, -1.070 (under index)
2) Jack Matyas, Bethlehem, Pa., '15 Copo, FS/C, 9.277, -1.023
3) Mike Farrell, Menards, N.Y., '72 Duster, E/SA, 10.703, -0.997
4) Marvin Dunahoo, Roanoke, Va., '94 Mustang, N/SA, 12.006, -0.994
5) Timothy Stickles, Dover, N.H., '80 Malibu, M/SA, 11.882, -0.968
6) Thomas Sundstrom, Uppsala, Sweden, '68 Mustang, B/SA, 10.287, -0.963
7) Ronald Urquhart, Chesterfield, Va., '68 Camaro SS, E/SA, 10.772, -0.928
8) Daren Poole-Adams, Shelby, N.C., '18 Copo, FS/C, 9.377, -0.923
9) James Morgan, Faulkner, Md., '67 Shelby, AA/SA, 9.788, -0.912
10) Todd Bednaz, Plymouth, Conn., '68 Camaro, D/S, 10.588, -0.912

TOP SPORTSMAN PRESENTED BY SELECT PERFORMANCE
1) Jeff Brooks, Fredericksburg, Va., '51 Henry J, 6.398 seconds, 218.30 mph
2) Mark Payne, Waynesboro, Va., '06 Cavalier, 6.531, 214.31
3) Sandy Wilkins, Mount Ulla, N.C., '69 Camaro, 6.617, 207.08
4) Edward Foley, Warminster, Pa., '18 Mustang, 6.631, 208.55
5) Vonnie Mills, Kennedyville, Md., '06 Cobalt, 6.676, 207.21
6) Ronald Proctor, Harpers Ferry, W.V., '09 Cobra, 6.689, 205.60
7) Frederick Perkins, Plainville, Conn., '57 Belair, 6.733, 204.11
8) Brian Conrey, Levittown, Pa., dragster, 6.851, 200.00
9) Alan Davidowski, Columbus, N.J., '10 GXP, 6.893, 201.49
10) Gerard Milette, St. Etienne, Quebec, '63 Corvette, 6.913, 200.53

TOP DRAGSTER  PRESENTED BY SELECT PERFORMANCE
1) Frederick Perkins, Higganum, Conn., '16 Maddox, 6.120 seconds, 225.90 mph
2) Steven Furr, Harrisburg, N.C., '13 American, 6.156, 213.70
3) Alan Kenny, Kutztown, Pa., '14 Dan Page, 6.189, 227.38
4) Bruce Mullins, Fredericksburg, Va., '07 American, 6.231, 223.88
5) Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., '14 American, 6.260, 214.96
6) James Beckman, Warren, Conn., '15 Boss, 6.274, 222.80
7) Kenneth Moses, Colonia, N.J., '19 American, 6.460, 207.24
8) Brian Khoury, Derry, N.H., '12 Dan Page, 6.507, 203.58
9) Kent Newsome, Forest Hill, Md., '01 S&W, 6.534, 205.26
10) David Petrofske, Lititz, Pa., '10 Precision, 6.565, 204.26