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DELAWARE, Ohio (June 23) -- Reigning POWERade Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. will make his only appearance of the year in his home state of Ohio June 26-29 at Norwalk Raceway Park. Coughlin will be joined by his eldest brother John, who himself is the reigning Top Dragster champion in Division 3, which includes the Buckeye State. John will be racing a Super Stock car at the event.
"There's nothing like racing at home," said Jeg Jr., who once again is one of the top-ranked drag racers in the country. "With more than 350 dedicated employees at our JEGS Mail Order home base in Delaware, plus all of our extended families living in the Greater Columbus area, we have a built-in home field advantage whenever we race in Ohio. It means a lot to us to have the support."
For many years, the four Coughlin brothers almost literally raced in their back yard when the NHRA national event was held at National Trail Raceway. But the schedule changed in 2007 and Bill Bader's beautiful facility in Northwest Ohio was chosen as the replacement site for the mid-summer classic.
"The Baders did a fantastic job of welcoming the NHRA and tens of thousands of fans for last year's race," Jeg said. "The facility they have rivals anything on the circuit and the extra effort the Bader family puts in to make sure we're all taken care of puts them at the top of the list in my book. They're great folks.
"It's such a great location also, and not just for our family and friends, but drag racing fans across the area. There are so many markets we draw from and that's very cool."
A winner of 53 national events, Jeg raced to the semifinals last year before bowing out to fellow Ohioan Dave Connolly, his teammate at Victor Cagnazzi Racing.
As for John, a 25-year racing veteran, a weekend on the shores of Lake Erie offers a great chance for another victory. John already picked up a trophy at Indianapolis Raceway Park earlier this season and was on his way to another at Norwalk in Top Dragster when rain postponed the event until late July.
"It's always a good time when we go up to Norwalk," John said. "It's just a little more than an hour to get there so we'll load up the kids and plan for a big family weekend. It'll be extra fun with Jeggy there this time through. I can't wait to get started.
"We know how big racing is in Ohio because we were all born and raised here. You better believe we'll be pushing hard to represent our fans and remind everyone the best drag racers come from Ohio and Division 3."
Decorated drag racing duo to home state for NHRA national event
DELAWARE, Ohio (June 23) -- Reigning POWERade Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. will make his only appearance of the year in his home state of Ohio June 26-29 at Norwalk Raceway Park. Coughlin will be joined by his eldest brother John, who himself is the reigning Top Dragster champion in Division 3, which includes the Buckeye State. John will be racing a Super Stock car at the event.
"There's nothing like racing at home," said Jeg Jr., who once again is one of the top-ranked drag racers in the country. "With more than 350 dedicated employees at our JEGS Mail Order home base in Delaware, plus all of our extended families living in the Greater Columbus area, we have a built-in home field advantage whenever we race in Ohio. It means a lot to us to have the support."
For many years, the four Coughlin brothers almost literally raced in their back yard when the NHRA national event was held at National Trail Raceway. But the schedule changed in 2007 and Bill Bader's beautiful facility in Northwest Ohio was chosen as the replacement site for the mid-summer classic.
"The Baders did a fantastic job of welcoming the NHRA and tens of thousands of fans for last year's race," Jeg said. "The facility they have rivals anything on the circuit and the extra effort the Bader family puts in to make sure we're all taken care of puts them at the top of the list in my book. They're great folks.
"It's such a great location also, and not just for our family and friends, but drag racing fans across the area. There are so many markets we draw from and that's very cool."
A winner of 53 national events, Jeg raced to the semifinals last year before bowing out to fellow Ohioan Dave Connolly, his teammate at Victor Cagnazzi Racing.
As for John, a 25-year racing veteran, a weekend on the shores of Lake Erie offers a great chance for another victory. John already picked up a trophy at Indianapolis Raceway Park earlier this season and was on his way to another at Norwalk in Top Dragster when rain postponed the event until late July.
"It's always a good time when we go up to Norwalk," John said. "It's just a little more than an hour to get there so we'll load up the kids and plan for a big family weekend. It'll be extra fun with Jeggy there this time through. I can't wait to get started.
"We know how big racing is in Ohio because we were all born and raised here. You better believe we'll be pushing hard to represent our fans and remind everyone the best drag racers come from Ohio and Division 3."
