When you drag race at 24 national events per season, like three-time
and reigning Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., your vacations
tend to coincide with your job. Such is the case this week as the
52-time national event winner spends some time in California's renowned
wine country for some R&R&R -- Rest, Relaxation, and Racing.
"The Sonoma race has become a bit of a yearly family retreat for us,"
Coughlin said from the heart of the Napa Valley. "For the past 10 years
we've come here directly from the Seattle race for some golf and
swimming and general lounging around. My son, lil' Jeggie, is on summer
vacation so he's able to join us, and we really have some fun."
Although Coughlin is doing his best to do nothing for a few days, he
admits his mind is never far away from the upcoming Fram-Autolite NHRA
Nationals at picturesque Infineon Raceway.
"Make no mistake, we're here to win," said Coughlin, who claimed glory
at Infineon in 2003, the last time he entered the race as the defending
series champion. "This is an exciting race for a number of reasons.
First, it's a Bruton Smith-owned facility so it's first-rate. Second,
the weather can produce absolutely exceptional racing conditions.