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BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Team JEGS driver Mike Coughlin turned in a quarterfinal finish during yesterday's NHRA North Central Division Lucas Oil Series event at Beech Bend Raceway. Driving his Chevy Cobalt in the Top Sportsman division, Coughlin qualified No. 21 in the 32-car field, and won the first two elimination rounds before losing a close race against former Division champion Mitch Smith in the quarterfinals. Coughlin ran right on his dial-in of 7.36 seconds, but lost to Smith, who also matched his dial of 7.42 seconds. The race was decided by just thirteen-thousandths of a second.
"Anytime a race is that close, you really have no idea who won until it's over," said Coughlin. "It was a tough loss, but Mitch is one of the best racers in this class and I knew he'd be tough. I am happy with the way the car ran, though. We recently made some changes and the car was working very well. Hopefully, we can take what we've learned and use it to win another race before the end of the season."
Coughlin, who won the Top Sportsman title at the recent NHRA JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals in Columbus, Ohio, defeated former Southeast Division Top Sportsman champ Jerry Barker and Rick Sojka in the first two rounds of eliminations. The Top Sportsman title was won by Lee Adkins, who stopped Mark Pickens in the final round.
Coughlin next race in Top Sportsman will be the North Central Division Lucas event at Team JEGS home track, National Trail Raceway, Sept. 22-24.
Coughlin posts quarterfinal finish at Bowling Green event
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Team JEGS driver Mike Coughlin turned in a quarterfinal finish during yesterday's NHRA North Central Division Lucas Oil Series event at Beech Bend Raceway. Driving his Chevy Cobalt in the Top Sportsman division, Coughlin qualified No. 21 in the 32-car field, and won the first two elimination rounds before losing a close race against former Division champion Mitch Smith in the quarterfinals. Coughlin ran right on his dial-in of 7.36 seconds, but lost to Smith, who also matched his dial of 7.42 seconds. The race was decided by just thirteen-thousandths of a second.
"Anytime a race is that close, you really have no idea who won until it's over," said Coughlin. "It was a tough loss, but Mitch is one of the best racers in this class and I knew he'd be tough. I am happy with the way the car ran, though. We recently made some changes and the car was working very well. Hopefully, we can take what we've learned and use it to win another race before the end of the season."
Coughlin, who won the Top Sportsman title at the recent NHRA JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals in Columbus, Ohio, defeated former Southeast Division Top Sportsman champ Jerry Barker and Rick Sojka in the first two rounds of eliminations. The Top Sportsman title was won by Lee Adkins, who stopped Mark Pickens in the final round.
Coughlin next race in Top Sportsman will be the North Central Division Lucas event at Team JEGS home track, National Trail Raceway, Sept. 22-24.
