Young third generation drag racer Troy “T.J” Coughlin will drive straight into the eye of the storm this weekend as he takes on the world’s best E.T. bracket racers at the 17th annual Huntsville Engine World Super Pro Challenge at the Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, Mich. Coughlin will join several hundred of the world’s best sportsman competitors in the pursuit of more than $200,000 in cash and prizes. At the core of the World Super Pro Challenge is Saturday’s main event, which pays a whopping $50,000 to the champion. Companion events on Thursday and Friday will pay $10,000 to the champion while Sunday’s finale will award a $5,000 top prize to the champion. In addition there will be a special Gambler’s event with a $1,000 entry fee that will pay $10,000 to the winner of the 16-car field.

Young third generation drag racer Troy “T.J” Coughlin will drive straight into the eye of the storm this weekend as he takes on the world’s best E.T. bracket racers at the 17th annual Huntsville Engine World Super Pro Challenge at the Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, Mich. Coughlin will join several hundred of the world’s best sportsman competitors in the pursuit of more than $200,000 in cash and prizes. At the core of the World Super Pro Challenge is Saturday’s main event, which pays a whopping $50,000 to the champion. Companion events on Thursday and Friday will pay $10,000 to the champion while Sunday’s finale will award a $5,000 top prize to the champion. In addition there will be a special Gambler’s event with a $1,000 entry fee that will pay $10,000 to the winner of the 16-car field.
 
“I try not to think about it, but you really can’t hide the fact that we’ll be racing for a lot of money this weekend,” said Coughlin. “I try to treat this like every other race, but it’s hard not to think about the possibility of bringing home $50,000 Saturday night. Of course, in order to do that, you’ve got to beat the best of the best. I know it won’t be easy but I’m looking forward to giving it a shot. I just have to remember the three most important things I’ve been taught, which are focus, preparation, and maintenance. That’s the key to success in bracket racing. No matter what, I know we’re going to have a fun weekend.”
 
Coughlin, who is currently ranked third in the NHRA Super Comp standings, will be racing his JEGS.com dragster in Stanton. The car normally sees duty in the NHRA Super Comp class but Coughlin is able to convert it into an effective E.T. bracket racer simply by removing the throttle stop and making a few other minor adjustments. Coughlin will also be accompanied in Stanton by crew chief and tutor Kenny “the Dragon” Underwood, who will be racing his familiar white Chevy Camaro, which is co-owned by the Coughlin family and former national champ Anthony Bertozzi.
 
“Having Kenny with me always makes things easier,” said Coughlin. “He’s won so many of these big races that there aren’t too many situations that he isn’t prepared for. One of the big advantages of a race like this is that I get to run a different race each day and that means that I’ll hopefully be making a lot of runs and anytime you can get seat time, that’s a good thing. And, when you get to compete against the best races in the country, it only helps to elevate your game.”
 
Former winners of the $50,000 World Super Pro Challenge include world champion Edmond Richardson, second-generation racer John Labbous Jr., and Ricky Adkins, who earlier this year drove Mike Coughlin’s JEGS.com Chevy Cobalt in the Top Sportsman class at the annual JEGS Allstars event at Route 66 Raceway.