When Richard Freeman purchased the assets of Josh Hart Racing earlier this season and began offering Top Fuel opportunities to members of his Pro Stock organization, Jeg Coughlin Jr. wasn’t on the list. That suited him just fine.
Coughlin, one of drag racing’s most decorated drivers, said he’s long had opportunities to climb into a nitro-burning machine but never felt compelled to do it. He’s happiest leaving on the two-step, grabbing gears, and letting his Pro Stock Camaro do the talking.
“I’ve made it clear in my conversations that I have a lot of love and respect for Nitro and for Top Fuel and Funny Car,” Coughlin said. “But when it comes to getting behind the wheel, I’m not cut out for it. Those things, they’re pure beasts. I love them, but I’m happy driving the Pro Stock cars.”
That clarity, he said, isn’t new. Coughlin’s racing career has always been about precision and rhythm — not raw violence. “I’ve had several beautiful opportunities to get in amazing cars and gracefully declined,” he said. “I’ve been pretty happy where I’m at for my entire professional career.”
The five-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion added that Freeman didn’t need to ask him if he wanted to make the jump to Top Fuel. “We’ve got a long lineup of people here that would probably do it, and Richard, he knows where I stand on the Nitro side,” Coughlin said. “I’ll be the first one there. I love the smell.”
That affection for nitromethane comes from his childhood. Coughlin grew up surrounded by the Coughlin family’s drag racing empire, which gave him an early appreciation for the sport’s mechanical side. “When I was a kid, I got to wash out the oil pans with gas and help knock the pistons out and put them back together with my brothers,” he said. “So no question, it’s in my blood. I know if I got behind the wheel of one, I’d love it — but I’m very happy where I’m at.”
Coughlin’s tone suggested no frustration or envy toward those who’ve crossed into nitro ranks. Instead, he views his lane as the one where he’s meant to be. “When you grow up in this sport, you learn what fits you,” he said. “For me, the Pro Stock car is the perfect balance of skill and power.”
Asked whether he had ever been close to accepting an offer to drive a nitro car, Coughlin smiled. “When I’ve had offers from some of the sport’s legends in my lifetime to make runs and or join their programs,” he said, “that makes you pretty damn close — and I’ve just elected to steer away from it.”
Pressed for names, Coughlin kept his cards close to the vest. “You don’t need to know names,” he said with a grin. “They’re the greatest in our sport. Some are with us and some may not be.”
He acknowledged that the most recent offer came sometime around 2010 or 2015, but his answer didn’t change. “It’s flattering, of course,” Coughlin said. “But I’m where I want to be.”
While some racers crave the fire and fury of Top Fuel or Funny Car, Coughlin finds satisfaction in mastering the details of a naturally aspirated, clutch-driven machine — a form of racing that rewards discipline and feel as much as horsepower.
“When you look at the greatest of all time, I’m flattered,” Coughlin said. “It’s that simple.”
Coughlin’s loyalty to Pro Stock has defined one of the most consistent careers in NHRA history. Whether it’s the finesse of gear shifts, the challenge of tuning to weather conditions, or the strategy of staging battles, he’s found fulfillment in the pursuit of perfection rather than raw adrenaline.
He’s also aware that, even if he never pilots a nitro car, his legacy is secure. His understated passion for the class has helped sustain Pro Stock’s identity amid the sport’s changing landscape. “I love Nitro,” he said, “but this is home. Always has been.”
