<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/Jegs1.jpg" alt="Jegs1" align="right"borders="0"/>
HOUSTON (March 30) - Pro Stock driver Jeg Coughlin Jr. is the provisional No. 1 qualifier for the second NHRA national event in a row after his blistering, track-record pass of 6.649 seconds at 208.17 mph in the opening round of the 20th annual Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park.
Following a similar performance two weeks ago in Gainesville, Fla., where Coughlin also led at the halfway point of qualifying, the 36-year-old from Delaware, Ohio, sees lots of progress with his Slammers Ultimate Milk Chevrolet Cobalt.
"This team never rests," Coughlin said. "Our team owner Victor Cagnazzi has instilled work ethic in this group of guys that's second to none. They want to be world champions and it shows in everything they do.
"After Gainesville, we could have rested on our laurels, but instead they were back out testing both team cars to find that extra edge that got us back on top here."
Coughlin has 47 national event wins to his credit but his first in the professional ranks came at Houston Raceway Park in 1997 in just his second race behind the wheel of a Pro Stock car.
"Certainly this place is very special to me," he said. "I also won here in Super Stock, which was my first national event win in that class also, back in 1994. And we've added a few more Houston wins since then, so it's safe to say this is one of my favorite places."
In the second round, Coughlin was once again the quickest in the field, running a slightly slower 6.662 at 207.53 mph.
"To have the quickest car of both sessions is pretty darn impressive," Coughlin said. "As a driver, it gives you a lot of confidence knowing that your crew has such a great handle on the car and the track that you can be quick no matter what lane you're in. That's pretty powerful knowledge to have heading into race day. It gives you confidence."
There are two more qualifying sessions scheduled for Saturday.
Coughlin the king of Pro Stock for second Friday in a row
HOUSTON (March 30) - Pro Stock driver Jeg Coughlin Jr. is the provisional No. 1 qualifier for the second NHRA national event in a row after his blistering, track-record pass of 6.649 seconds at 208.17 mph in the opening round of the 20th annual Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park.
Following a similar performance two weeks ago in Gainesville, Fla., where Coughlin also led at the halfway point of qualifying, the 36-year-old from Delaware, Ohio, sees lots of progress with his Slammers Ultimate Milk Chevrolet Cobalt.
"This team never rests," Coughlin said. "Our team owner Victor Cagnazzi has instilled work ethic in this group of guys that's second to none. They want to be world champions and it shows in everything they do.
"After Gainesville, we could have rested on our laurels, but instead they were back out testing both team cars to find that extra edge that got us back on top here."
Coughlin has 47 national event wins to his credit but his first in the professional ranks came at Houston Raceway Park in 1997 in just his second race behind the wheel of a Pro Stock car.
"Certainly this place is very special to me," he said. "I also won here in Super Stock, which was my first national event win in that class also, back in 1994. And we've added a few more Houston wins since then, so it's safe to say this is one of my favorite places."
In the second round, Coughlin was once again the quickest in the field, running a slightly slower 6.662 at 207.53 mph.
"To have the quickest car of both sessions is pretty darn impressive," Coughlin said. "As a driver, it gives you a lot of confidence knowing that your crew has such a great handle on the car and the track that you can be quick no matter what lane you're in. That's pretty powerful knowledge to have heading into race day. It gives you confidence."
There are two more qualifying sessions scheduled for Saturday.
