[coverattach=1]DELAWARE, Ohio (Dec. 17) -- Mirroring the performance of his father John Coughlin, who won the Top Dragster championship in NHRA's North Central Division, 13-year old Cody Coughlin also made his mark in motorsports in 2009 by winning the USAC "Generation Next" .25 Midget championship behind the wheel of his JEGS.com entry.
Racing at several tracks throughout the Central Ohio, region, Coughlin secured the title on the strength of five victories this season.
"I stepped up to a faster class this year so it was a little surprising to win the championship," Coughlin said. "The car was faster than what I was used to but I adapted pretty quickly. I had a lot of fun and it was a great achievement."
Coughlin was competitive in his new ride all year long and by mid-season he took over the points lead for good. In October, he officially clinched the title with a runner-up finish at the season-ending race at Kil-Kare Raceway in Xenia, Ohio. Cody earned the distinction of being the first of four Coughlin family members that would earn championships in 2009. In addition to Cody and his father John's titles, Cody's uncle Mike and uncle Troy also brought glory to the family name, with Mike claiming NHRA North Central Division Top Sportsman category, and Troy the NMCA Pro Street class.
"For my dad and me to both win championships this year is very special," Cody said. "I really have to thank my parents and my sister for all their support and I thank God. This was a great season for the entire JEGS team and I'm glad to be a part of it."
Coughlin plans to continue racing in the USAC Midget series in 2010 and also is exploring the possibility of racing an ASA Late Model car with an eye towards future NASCAR races. Despite all of his success in Midget racing, Coughlin, like the rest of his family, enjoys drag racing and will continue to race his JEGS.com Jr. Dragster in the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League next season.
"I didn't get to race my dragster as much as I would have liked to this season but I've got a new car coming from American Race Cars so I'm hoping to get out a few more times next year," Cody said. "Eventually, I'd like to try a Top Dragster like my Dad."
The next drag racing season won't begin until February 2010, but Cody is able to continue racing through the winter months in the Indoor Midget Series at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.
"We race pretty much all year long and that's one of the reasons why I like running the .25 midgets," Cody said. "As long as I'm out there racing something, I'm happy."
CODY COUGHLIN 2009 FACTS
Racing at several tracks throughout the Central Ohio, region, Coughlin secured the title on the strength of five victories this season.
"I stepped up to a faster class this year so it was a little surprising to win the championship," Coughlin said. "The car was faster than what I was used to but I adapted pretty quickly. I had a lot of fun and it was a great achievement."
Coughlin was competitive in his new ride all year long and by mid-season he took over the points lead for good. In October, he officially clinched the title with a runner-up finish at the season-ending race at Kil-Kare Raceway in Xenia, Ohio. Cody earned the distinction of being the first of four Coughlin family members that would earn championships in 2009. In addition to Cody and his father John's titles, Cody's uncle Mike and uncle Troy also brought glory to the family name, with Mike claiming NHRA North Central Division Top Sportsman category, and Troy the NMCA Pro Street class.
"For my dad and me to both win championships this year is very special," Cody said. "I really have to thank my parents and my sister for all their support and I thank God. This was a great season for the entire JEGS team and I'm glad to be a part of it."
Coughlin plans to continue racing in the USAC Midget series in 2010 and also is exploring the possibility of racing an ASA Late Model car with an eye towards future NASCAR races. Despite all of his success in Midget racing, Coughlin, like the rest of his family, enjoys drag racing and will continue to race his JEGS.com Jr. Dragster in the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League next season.
"I didn't get to race my dragster as much as I would have liked to this season but I've got a new car coming from American Race Cars so I'm hoping to get out a few more times next year," Cody said. "Eventually, I'd like to try a Top Dragster like my Dad."
The next drag racing season won't begin until February 2010, but Cody is able to continue racing through the winter months in the Indoor Midget Series at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.
"We race pretty much all year long and that's one of the reasons why I like running the .25 midgets," Cody said. "As long as I'm out there racing something, I'm happy."
CODY COUGHLIN 2009 FACTS
- Won USAC Heavy Midget season championship
- Claimed five victories during the 2009 season
- Also drag raced in the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League
- Quote book: "I had a lot of fun racing this year and to be able to contribute to the success that our family had this year makes it even more special." - Cody Coughlin
