Rested and ready, Coughlin set for Seattle success
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/j_coughlin_969735.jpg" alt="j_coughlin_969735"align="left"borders="0" />
SEATTLE (July 14) -- Reigning Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. has been on top of the drag racing world four times, three in Pro Stock and once more in Super Gas. He also has accumulated 52 national event victories along the way. Bottom line, the 38-year-old from Delaware, Ohio, knows what it takes to win at the top level of the sport.
"We've climbed the mountain a few times so we know the journey very well," Coughlin said. "There are no shortcuts and certainly there are bumps and bruises to be had along the way. The main thing is keeping your eye on the ultimate goal.
"I look at this team Victor Cagnazzi has put together and I see a group of champions. Everyone knows it's a long, arduous haul that requires countless hours of work and complete dedication. We have that here, from top to bottom."
Coughlin has a win, two runner-up results, and three semifinal finishes on his 2008 report card and is currently a solid fourth in the points. He enters this weekend's race at Pacific Raceways just 10 points, or half a round, out of third place, and could reach as high as second if everything falls into place.
Success in Seattle wouldn't be unprecedented for Coughlin. He won the event outright in 2002 and was runner-up in 2000. Both of those seasons ended with Pro Stock titles.
"Seattle is a place where you can basically let it all hang out," he said. "The track is just about at sea-level and we race out in the woods so there is lots of fresh air. Plus, we've already been in town a few days and the temperatures are right there in the mid-70s, which is about dead solid perfect for Pro Stock cars. I can't wait to get started."
Enjoying the Pacific Northwest with his son Jeggie III and some close friends, Coughlin expects to be rested and ready by race time.
"We're having our summer break right now and enjoying this beautiful city," Coughlin said. "We've got some friends that live here on the lake and we're out on their boat whenever we get a chance, just taking in the sights. Our yearly trip to Seattle is always a treat.
"It's given me some time to reflect on what we need to do to contend for the championship again this year. The Countdown starts in five races and we need to put ourselves in the best position possible for that. Then it's a six-race sprint to the finish. Greg Anderson has been reminding us that he's the guy to beat at the moment with three wins in a row. We know that feeling because we've been there ourselves. Now it's time for us to return to that level, and it could all start right here in Seattle."
Qualifying begins Friday at 3 and 5:30 p.m. PDT.
Jeg Coughlin Jr - Seattle Fast Facts Schuck’s Auto Supply NHRA Nationals Pacific Raceways, Kent, Wash.
>>>Jeg Coughlin won the Pro Stock title at the 2002 Seattle event, defeating Mark Whisnant in the final round.
>>>Jeg was also a runner-up in Seattle in 2000, losing to Richie Stevens in the final.
>>>In nine career appearances at Pacific Raceways, Jeg has a career round win record of 10-8. Jeg has also qualified in the top half of the Pro Stock field four times, including a best of third in 2000. His average qualifying position in Seattle is No. 8.
>>>Jeg is currently ranked fourth in the Pro Stock standings. He is just nine points behind third place Jason Line and can pass him by advancing one round further in eliminations.
>>>With five races remaining before the Countdown to the Championship begins at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Jeg is 307 points ahead of 11th place Dave Connolly. The top ten drivers in each pro class qualify for the Countdown. Jeg can guarantee his spot by averaging a round two finish at the next five events.
>>>Jeg has won at least one NHRA national event title at 21 different facilities including Pacific Raceways. He has won at every current venue on the tour except for Norwalk (and the new z-Max Dragway in Charlotte, which has yet to host an NHRA POWERade Series event.)
>>>In 13 events this season, Jeg has a win, two runner-up, and three semifinal finishes to his credit. His round win record is 20-11.
>>During his career, Jeg has appeared in 81 final rounds, 63 as a professional and 18 as a sportsman racer.
>>>With 39 Pro Stock wins, Jeg is the fourth most successful driver in the history of the class. He trails only Warren Johnson (96), Bob Glidden (85), and Greg Anderson (56) in wins.
>>>After qualifying No. 9 in Denver, Jeg is currently ranked fourth in the standings for the K&N Horsepower Challenge, a special $50,000 to win Pro Stock event that is held each year in Norwalk. Drivers qualify for the elite 8-car K&N Horsepower Challenge field by earning points during qualifying for each of the previous 23 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events.
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/j_coughlin_969735.jpg" alt="j_coughlin_969735"align="left"borders="0" />
SEATTLE (July 14) -- Reigning Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. has been on top of the drag racing world four times, three in Pro Stock and once more in Super Gas. He also has accumulated 52 national event victories along the way. Bottom line, the 38-year-old from Delaware, Ohio, knows what it takes to win at the top level of the sport.
"We've climbed the mountain a few times so we know the journey very well," Coughlin said. "There are no shortcuts and certainly there are bumps and bruises to be had along the way. The main thing is keeping your eye on the ultimate goal.
"I look at this team Victor Cagnazzi has put together and I see a group of champions. Everyone knows it's a long, arduous haul that requires countless hours of work and complete dedication. We have that here, from top to bottom."
Coughlin has a win, two runner-up results, and three semifinal finishes on his 2008 report card and is currently a solid fourth in the points. He enters this weekend's race at Pacific Raceways just 10 points, or half a round, out of third place, and could reach as high as second if everything falls into place.
Success in Seattle wouldn't be unprecedented for Coughlin. He won the event outright in 2002 and was runner-up in 2000. Both of those seasons ended with Pro Stock titles.
"Seattle is a place where you can basically let it all hang out," he said. "The track is just about at sea-level and we race out in the woods so there is lots of fresh air. Plus, we've already been in town a few days and the temperatures are right there in the mid-70s, which is about dead solid perfect for Pro Stock cars. I can't wait to get started."
Enjoying the Pacific Northwest with his son Jeggie III and some close friends, Coughlin expects to be rested and ready by race time.
"We're having our summer break right now and enjoying this beautiful city," Coughlin said. "We've got some friends that live here on the lake and we're out on their boat whenever we get a chance, just taking in the sights. Our yearly trip to Seattle is always a treat.
"It's given me some time to reflect on what we need to do to contend for the championship again this year. The Countdown starts in five races and we need to put ourselves in the best position possible for that. Then it's a six-race sprint to the finish. Greg Anderson has been reminding us that he's the guy to beat at the moment with three wins in a row. We know that feeling because we've been there ourselves. Now it's time for us to return to that level, and it could all start right here in Seattle."
Qualifying begins Friday at 3 and 5:30 p.m. PDT.
Jeg Coughlin Jr - Seattle Fast Facts Schuck’s Auto Supply NHRA Nationals Pacific Raceways, Kent, Wash.
>>>Jeg Coughlin won the Pro Stock title at the 2002 Seattle event, defeating Mark Whisnant in the final round.
>>>Jeg was also a runner-up in Seattle in 2000, losing to Richie Stevens in the final.
>>>In nine career appearances at Pacific Raceways, Jeg has a career round win record of 10-8. Jeg has also qualified in the top half of the Pro Stock field four times, including a best of third in 2000. His average qualifying position in Seattle is No. 8.
>>>Jeg is currently ranked fourth in the Pro Stock standings. He is just nine points behind third place Jason Line and can pass him by advancing one round further in eliminations.
>>>With five races remaining before the Countdown to the Championship begins at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Jeg is 307 points ahead of 11th place Dave Connolly. The top ten drivers in each pro class qualify for the Countdown. Jeg can guarantee his spot by averaging a round two finish at the next five events.
>>>Jeg has won at least one NHRA national event title at 21 different facilities including Pacific Raceways. He has won at every current venue on the tour except for Norwalk (and the new z-Max Dragway in Charlotte, which has yet to host an NHRA POWERade Series event.)
>>>In 13 events this season, Jeg has a win, two runner-up, and three semifinal finishes to his credit. His round win record is 20-11.
>>During his career, Jeg has appeared in 81 final rounds, 63 as a professional and 18 as a sportsman racer.
>>>With 39 Pro Stock wins, Jeg is the fourth most successful driver in the history of the class. He trails only Warren Johnson (96), Bob Glidden (85), and Greg Anderson (56) in wins.
>>>After qualifying No. 9 in Denver, Jeg is currently ranked fourth in the standings for the K&N Horsepower Challenge, a special $50,000 to win Pro Stock event that is held each year in Norwalk. Drivers qualify for the elite 8-car K&N Horsepower Challenge field by earning points during qualifying for each of the previous 23 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events.
