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MEMPHIS, Tenn. - For the last decade Jeg Coughlin Jr., has longed to participate in the annual BTE Million Dollar Drag Race. Now, the three-time NHRA world champ will have his shot as he heads to Memphis Motorsports Park for the richest single-day drag racing event in the world.
After choosing to devote his 2006 season almost exclusively to sportsman racing, Coughlin has been on a tear, winning several major bracket racing titles, the Mopar Hemi Challenge in Las Vegas, and the Top Dragster title at the Jegs.com NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals in Belle Rose, La. Even Coughlin admits those wins would pale in comparison to a victory in this weekend's Million Dollar main event.
"I have never been able to attend this race because it has always been scheduled opposite an NHRA national event where I was racing in Pro Stock," said Coughlin. "Many people have told me how great this race is and I'm anxious to find out for myself. When I decided to return to sportsman racing this year, I made this race a top priority. I've had a pretty good year so far and I'd like to have some continued success this weekend."
The BTE Million Dollar Drag Race is a special event where E.T. bracket racers across the country post a $2,000 entry fee to compete for a top prize that has the potential to reach $1 million should 500 drivers enter. The event has traditionally attracted 250-275 cars for the main event and has paid as much as $235,000 to its champion. Given the steady growth of sportsman racing, it is expected that this year’s top prize could top the $300,000 mark for the first time.
Coughlin plans to maximize his chances for victory by taking advantage of the rule in the Million Dollar race that allows a competitor to enter more than one vehicle and is headed to Memphis with a pair of JEGS dragsters in tow. He's also carrying a pair of race cars for Kenny Underwood.
"Between Kenny and me, we'll have four shots to go deep into eliminations so hopefully, one of us will get there," said Coughlin. "Actually, it would be fantastic if we both were able to win some rounds."
Coughlin is no stranger to success at Memphis Motorsports Park, having won the Pro Stock title there in 2000 and 2002. Coughlin also advanced to the late rounds of the TCI Mega 100 bracket event held there last April.
The BTE Million Dollar Drag Race will begin with a Gambler's race on Thursday, Sept. 14. A pair of $30,000 to win events will be held on Friday, Sept. 15 and Sunday, Sept. 17, while the main event will take place, Saturday, Sept. 16.
Coughlin looking forward to first Million Dollar race experience
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - For the last decade Jeg Coughlin Jr., has longed to participate in the annual BTE Million Dollar Drag Race. Now, the three-time NHRA world champ will have his shot as he heads to Memphis Motorsports Park for the richest single-day drag racing event in the world.
After choosing to devote his 2006 season almost exclusively to sportsman racing, Coughlin has been on a tear, winning several major bracket racing titles, the Mopar Hemi Challenge in Las Vegas, and the Top Dragster title at the Jegs.com NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals in Belle Rose, La. Even Coughlin admits those wins would pale in comparison to a victory in this weekend's Million Dollar main event.
"I have never been able to attend this race because it has always been scheduled opposite an NHRA national event where I was racing in Pro Stock," said Coughlin. "Many people have told me how great this race is and I'm anxious to find out for myself. When I decided to return to sportsman racing this year, I made this race a top priority. I've had a pretty good year so far and I'd like to have some continued success this weekend."
The BTE Million Dollar Drag Race is a special event where E.T. bracket racers across the country post a $2,000 entry fee to compete for a top prize that has the potential to reach $1 million should 500 drivers enter. The event has traditionally attracted 250-275 cars for the main event and has paid as much as $235,000 to its champion. Given the steady growth of sportsman racing, it is expected that this year’s top prize could top the $300,000 mark for the first time.
Coughlin plans to maximize his chances for victory by taking advantage of the rule in the Million Dollar race that allows a competitor to enter more than one vehicle and is headed to Memphis with a pair of JEGS dragsters in tow. He's also carrying a pair of race cars for Kenny Underwood.
"Between Kenny and me, we'll have four shots to go deep into eliminations so hopefully, one of us will get there," said Coughlin. "Actually, it would be fantastic if we both were able to win some rounds."
Coughlin is no stranger to success at Memphis Motorsports Park, having won the Pro Stock title there in 2000 and 2002. Coughlin also advanced to the late rounds of the TCI Mega 100 bracket event held there last April.
The BTE Million Dollar Drag Race will begin with a Gambler's race on Thursday, Sept. 14. A pair of $30,000 to win events will be held on Friday, Sept. 15 and Sunday, Sept. 17, while the main event will take place, Saturday, Sept. 16.
