COUGHLIN SHRUGS MILESTONES
Sun, 2008-03-23 09:06
Pro Stock racer Jeg Coughlin Jr.'s victory at the recently-completed
Gatornationals on March 16 not only returned the reigning series champion to the
NHRA POWERade points lead, it also moved him into a tie for ninth place on the
all-time list of NHRA winners with 52 national event victories to his
credit.
Being one of the 10 most prolific racers in a sport that's been around for
57 years is a remarkable feat for a 37-year-old racer that didn't begin racing
in earnest until after earning his college degree. But the son of Top Fuel racer
Jeg Coughlin Sr. seems to have a knack for driving down the quarter-mile, as
witnessed by his variety of wins. So far, Coughlin can claim national event
victories in five different categories -- Super Gas, Super Stock, Comp, Top
Dragster, and Pro Stock.
"I've been fortunate to have had some great people around me from the
start," Coughlin said. "From my college buddies that helped me when I first
strapped in a car back in the early '90s to the awesome professionals at Victor
Cagnazzi Racing that are behind me now, I've always been blessed to have great
crewmen preparing my cars.
"The facts are you're only as good as the equipment and people you have.
Victor has assembled the best engine guys, chassis builders, and mechanical
minds in our sport. The success we're having this year, which is really just a
carry-over from last year when we won it all, is attributable to all of them.
I'm just the lucky guy that drives the car."
After winning the preseason Pontiac Showdown in his JEGS.com Chevrolet
Cobalt, Coughlin has recorded, in order, runner-up honors in Pomona, a
third-place finish in Phoenix, and a win in Florida. The fast start already has
him 46 points, or slightly more than two rounds of action, ahead of his nearest
rival.
"We're off and running but I look at the first three races and see three
different winners," Coughlin said. "I certainly believe we will see that trend
continue because, once again, this class has so many great teams. We'll have to
find a way to stay at this high level of consistency we've displayed so far. The
fight will be intense at every stop on tour."
A four-time world champion, Coughlin should be up to the challenge at
Houston Raceway Park when the POWERade Drag Racing Series returns March 28-30
for the 21st annual O'Reilly Spring NHRA Nationals. He's a three-time winner at
the southeast Texas speedplant, having won there in 1997, '98, and 2000.
"My first win ever in Pro Stock came at HRP so it's always been a favorite
stop for me," Coughlin said from his Delaware, Ohio, home. "The tracks right at
sea-level and if the conditions are favorable, these Pro Stock cars can really
fly there.
"I've always enjoyed the fans in Texas as well. They're very knowledgeable
about our sport and fill that place up every time we're there. That's exciting
for all of us. I know we're fired-up to keep this streak alive and try for
another win."
As far as his journey into the record books, Coughlin stays humble.
"I just don't think about that stuff very much," he said. "It was a big
deal last year when we reached 50 because that's a big number and it allowed us
to enjoy a special moment in time but racers are never looking much further than
the next event. There are times when I'm down in the basement and I'll see a
certain photo or trophy that reminds me of something, but it's more about the
memories for me than anything else. I guess when I retire I'll look back and add
it all up but right now I'm just enjoying the ride."
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