Sometimes, rumors take a while to become reality. Today, the longrunning rumor suggesting Jeg Coughlin Jr will return to NHRA Pro Stock became a reality thanks to a joint venture with SCAG Power Equipment and Elite Motorsports. 

Coughlin will be breaking in a new Camaro five-time champion Erica Enders is expected to race in 2024. Having the accomplished drag racer Coughlin, who is also considered one of Enders’ mentors, is a feather in the cap for the Wynnewood, Oklahoma-based team. 

“Our friends at SCAG Power Equipment helped make this a reality along with all of our supportive partners involved in our program,” said Elite Motorsports owner Richard Freeman. “Getting runs on the new RJ Race Cars Pro Stock Camaro before the end of the season was something we wanted to do, and having Jeg Jr. driving the car in real competition is about as good as it gets. Who knows, maybe the planets will align and Jeg Jr. can return full-time in a cat’s-eye-gold SCAG Power Equipment hot rod in 2024.”

It would be hard to find a more sidelined suitable break-in driver than Coughlin, whose resume boasts 84 NHRA national event victories, with 64 of them while racing Pro Stock. When he stepped away from Pro Stock in 2020, he never lost his connection to the largest professional team in the 
Camping World Drag Racing Series. His nephew, Troy Coughlin Jr., is a part of the team. 

“I’m thrilled to get the opportunity to drive this new RJ Race Cars hot rod,” said Coughlin. “And I’m honored to race under the SCAG Power Equipment banner. They’ve done so much for drag racing across the board, and their commitment to excellence mirrors my own values, so I think it’s a fitting partnership. Above all else, I’m excited to work with everyone at Team Elite again. We are going to have some fun out there and if all goes according to plan, we will learn a little something in the process.”

Coughlin will make his return to Pro Stock at the NHRA Nevada Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.