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ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 22) -- Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. suffered a rare first-round loss Sunday at the 39th annual Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. The 52-time national event winner lost to teammate Ron Krisher in Round 1. In his career, Coughlin has lost in the first round just 23 percent of the time.
Although the final numbers were close -- Krisher posted a 6.671 at 206.48 mph to Coughlin's 6.686 at 206.83 mph -- the race was effectively over early in the run when Coughlin's JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt swerved back and forth just off the starting line, knocking much of the momentum out of his pass.
"There was one positive thing about losing first round for us today and it was the fact that the guy in the other lane was our teammate," Coughlin said. "We definitely set the car up soft since we were so aggressive in our first four runs this weekend.
"I think trying to calm it down is what caused us to lose so much power down low and that got us a little out of shape. We attempted to fix the problems we were having in the first 15-20 feet all weekend and today it just laid on the back tires and we lost it. Nothing to hang our heads about. We'll just turn the page and get ready for next weekend."
Coughlin won't have long to wait to get back on track as the POWERade Drag Racing Series moves to Norwalk, Ohio, next weekend for the 12th race of the 2008 season. The race is the closest national event to Coughlin's hometown of Delaware, Ohio.
"I'm really excited about Norwalk," Coughlin said. "My brother John is racing there and we'll have lots of friends and family on hand. Plus, I know a lot of our associates at JEGS Mail Order are coming up to cheer for us so it'll be a real party atmosphere. It's always fun to bring a built-in crowd that's rooting for you."
Rare Round 1 loss for reigning champ Coughlin
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (June 22) -- Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. suffered a rare first-round loss Sunday at the 39th annual Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. The 52-time national event winner lost to teammate Ron Krisher in Round 1. In his career, Coughlin has lost in the first round just 23 percent of the time.
Although the final numbers were close -- Krisher posted a 6.671 at 206.48 mph to Coughlin's 6.686 at 206.83 mph -- the race was effectively over early in the run when Coughlin's JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt swerved back and forth just off the starting line, knocking much of the momentum out of his pass.
"There was one positive thing about losing first round for us today and it was the fact that the guy in the other lane was our teammate," Coughlin said. "We definitely set the car up soft since we were so aggressive in our first four runs this weekend.
"I think trying to calm it down is what caused us to lose so much power down low and that got us a little out of shape. We attempted to fix the problems we were having in the first 15-20 feet all weekend and today it just laid on the back tires and we lost it. Nothing to hang our heads about. We'll just turn the page and get ready for next weekend."
Coughlin won't have long to wait to get back on track as the POWERade Drag Racing Series moves to Norwalk, Ohio, next weekend for the 12th race of the 2008 season. The race is the closest national event to Coughlin's hometown of Delaware, Ohio.
"I'm really excited about Norwalk," Coughlin said. "My brother John is racing there and we'll have lots of friends and family on hand. Plus, I know a lot of our associates at JEGS Mail Order are coming up to cheer for us so it'll be a real party atmosphere. It's always fun to bring a built-in crowd that's rooting for you."
