The drag racing community is loose-lipped, mainly when it comes to rumors. But, a news release let the cat out of the bag on a story that few saw coming.
Circle Track racer Cody Coughlin, a member of the famous Coughlin drag racing family, is set to make his 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series debut in a Chevrolet Camaro fielded by KB Titan Racing, competing against his uncle and cousin, who drive for rival Elite Motorsports.
“Pro Stock is something I’ve always had interest in,” Coughlin said. “I’ve been around the country competing in other forms of motorsports for a long time, but I’ve always found Pro Stock intriguing. I’m looking forward to a great season with Greg Anderson and the whole KB Titan Racing team.”
Coughlin comes from a racing family; his father, John, is a multi-time NHRA divisional champion with five national event wins across three different categories. While his family accrued NHRA wins and titles, Coughlin built an accomplished career in other motorsports, including notable achievements in Quarter-Midget racing and the ASA Late Model Series.
Coughlin began his racing career with five wins and two championships in Quarter-Midget racing, leading to a successful stint in the ASA Late Model Series, where he competed in the ARCA/CRA Super Series and the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour. In 2011, he was named the Howie Lettow Rookie of the Year.
In 2013, Coughlin achieved two wins and two Fast Qualifier awards, spearheading the first of four JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour championships he would clinch (2013, 2016, 2020, and 2021). The 2016 season proved particularly fruitful, as he captured both the ARCA/CRA Super Late Model championship and the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour title, becoming the first driver to win both championships in the same year.
Overall, Coughlin has earned 20 Late Model victories in the national series and brings experience from a full-time stint in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. His knowledge of diverse racing backgrounds will serve him well as he transitions to Pro Stock.
Coughlin’s interest in straight-line racing was encouraged by six-time world champion Greg Anderson, the most successful driver in Pro Stock history.
“I have a lot of respect for all of the people in the class that have done really well, including my family,” Coughlin said. “We get along, and I wanted to give the sport a try.”
During a mid-January test session in Bradenton, Florida, Coughlin earned his Pro Stock license while driving a KB Titan Racing, Jerry Haas-built Chevrolet Camaro. Following the test, he committed to a full season with the 10-time championship-winning team. The initial sponsorship will come from his own company, Cody Coughlin Company, which is focused on high-end residential real estate.
“I’ve been around the sport a lot in my life, so to some degree I was comfortable getting into the car,” Coughlin said. “But going through the motions was different than anything I’ve experienced before. I think the biggest thing was how hard the car launches off the line.”
As he works through the learning curve of Pro Stock racing, Coughlin has relied on tips from experienced drivers like Anderson, Dallas Glenn, and Dave Connolly. “After the first time, I understood the way it should feel,” he noted. “I’m still learning, but their guidance helped me jump as much of the learning curve as possible.”
Coughlin is now focused on gaining more seat time as he prepares to compete in a highly challenging category characterized by naturally aspirated factory hot rods. The team has scheduled a test session following the SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout from February 6-8, ahead of his Pro Stock debut at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, taking place March 6-9.
“I’m looking forward to getting a few more laps under my belt,” Coughlin said. “Now that I’ve got the basics down, we can switch things up a little bit.”
Coughlin has long admired the Wally trophies that adorn the homes of his family members and hopes to add one to his collection. “It would really be something special to get one of my own,” he said. “I’m most excited about being competitive enough to do that, and it would be a proud moment to have a Wally on the mantle by the end of the year.”
Beyond the pursuit of trophies, Coughlin is eager to experience the new racing landscape.
“This is about starting a new chapter after closing the book on circle track racing,” he said. “I’m really focused on my business, and drag racing allows me to unleash my competitive spirit.”
Coughlin sees his move to Pro Stock as the beginning of a significant new chapter in his racing career.
“I’m excited to travel and see some of the tracks I’ve heard about my whole life but never been to,” he said. “I see this as the beginning of a new chapter in my racing career.
With his impressive resume in various motorsports and the backing of KB Titan Racing, Coughlin is eager to see how his journey unfolds as he transitions from circle track racing to the high-stakes arena of drag racing.
The upcoming test sessions and the Gatornationals will serve as crucial opportunities for Coughlin to refine his skills and adapt to the nuances of Pro Stock racing. Each lap will provide valuable insights as he seeks to find the perfect balance between speed and control in the challenging world of drag racing.
“I’m looking forward to every aspect of this journey,” Coughlin said.
