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INDIANAPOLIS -- Pro Stock championship contender Jeg Coughlin Jr. would love to continue an interesting and noteworthy streak he's developed at the annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals when the POWERade tour returns this weekend for the 53rd running of the event. It seems every time Coughlin wins the "Granddaddy of all drag races" he goes on to win the world title.
Coughlin's enviable Indy streak started in 1992 when he beat former sportsman world champion Sherman Adcock in the final of Super Gas at what was then called Indianapolis Raceway Park. The victory, just the second national event win of his young career, propelled Coughlin to his first world championship (Super Gas) by season's end.
Eight years later in 2000, Coughlin returned to "the Big Go" as a professional, racing in the Pro Stock class. Once again he won the race, this time beating Ron Krisher for his 29th career national event win, and followed up the Indy victory with his second world title and first as a professional.
The trend continued two years later when Coughlin edged Jim Yates in the Pro Stock final for his 38th career win that spurred an incredible stretch run that ultimately awarded him his third world championship (Pro Stock).
"We've been very fortunate in Indy, but I didn't realize the national event wins were all part of our championship seasons until now," said the 37-year-old from Delaware, Ohio. "All three of those seasons are very memorable for Team JEGS and to combine a win at drag racing biggest and most prestigious race with a world title makes it all the more special.
"It would be fantastic to extend that streak this year. I certainly believe we have the team and the racecar to get it done and with this being the first race of the Countdown to Four, it would be the optimum time to do it."
Just two weeks ago, Coughlin won his landmark 50th career national event. It was his third of the season in six final-round showings and proved his JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt is one of the top cars in the class. He finished the first phase of the Countdown to the Championship in third place and is now just 20 points behind the POWERade lead.
"We're loaded and ready for Indy and the Countdown to Four," Coughlin said. "We've got four races to make sure we stay in the top four so that we have a chance at the championship this year and it all starts in Indy. I really feel a great sense of comfort at this race and I'm excited about our chances. I'm ready to race."
Aside from his three national event wins in Indy, Coughlin has three more wins at the famous facility including the 2004 Hemi Shootout, and Divisional races in 1992 (Super Gas) and 1997 (Competition Eliminator).
Enviable Indy streak has Coughlin's interest piqued
INDIANAPOLIS -- Pro Stock championship contender Jeg Coughlin Jr. would love to continue an interesting and noteworthy streak he's developed at the annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals when the POWERade tour returns this weekend for the 53rd running of the event. It seems every time Coughlin wins the "Granddaddy of all drag races" he goes on to win the world title.
Coughlin's enviable Indy streak started in 1992 when he beat former sportsman world champion Sherman Adcock in the final of Super Gas at what was then called Indianapolis Raceway Park. The victory, just the second national event win of his young career, propelled Coughlin to his first world championship (Super Gas) by season's end.
Eight years later in 2000, Coughlin returned to "the Big Go" as a professional, racing in the Pro Stock class. Once again he won the race, this time beating Ron Krisher for his 29th career national event win, and followed up the Indy victory with his second world title and first as a professional.
The trend continued two years later when Coughlin edged Jim Yates in the Pro Stock final for his 38th career win that spurred an incredible stretch run that ultimately awarded him his third world championship (Pro Stock).
"We've been very fortunate in Indy, but I didn't realize the national event wins were all part of our championship seasons until now," said the 37-year-old from Delaware, Ohio. "All three of those seasons are very memorable for Team JEGS and to combine a win at drag racing biggest and most prestigious race with a world title makes it all the more special.
"It would be fantastic to extend that streak this year. I certainly believe we have the team and the racecar to get it done and with this being the first race of the Countdown to Four, it would be the optimum time to do it."
Just two weeks ago, Coughlin won his landmark 50th career national event. It was his third of the season in six final-round showings and proved his JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt is one of the top cars in the class. He finished the first phase of the Countdown to the Championship in third place and is now just 20 points behind the POWERade lead.
"We're loaded and ready for Indy and the Countdown to Four," Coughlin said. "We've got four races to make sure we stay in the top four so that we have a chance at the championship this year and it all starts in Indy. I really feel a great sense of comfort at this race and I'm excited about our chances. I'm ready to race."
Aside from his three national event wins in Indy, Coughlin has three more wins at the famous facility including the 2004 Hemi Shootout, and Divisional races in 1992 (Super Gas) and 1997 (Competition Eliminator).
