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POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 12) -- Defending event champion Jeg Coughlin's attempt at a second straight trophy at the Auto Club NHRA Finals ended abruptly in the first round of Sunday's competition when Coughlin's Slammers Ultimate Milk/Jegs.com Chevrolet Cobalt violently shook its tires at the starting line. Coughlin's car was forced to shut it off and watch opponent Ron Krisher take the win in 6.693 seconds.
"The track was just much better than we thought it would be," Coughlin said. "All weekend the left lane was the one everyone wanted but that shifted this morning and we saw all the nitro guys winning in the right lane. It must have caught us. These things happen and without a book of data to lean on with this racecar and this set-up, we were vulnerable."
Coughlin has only made three professional starts this year. He joined Victor Cagnazzi's Charlotte-based team at the end of the summer and used the final three races as a test base for 2007. He recorded his career-best elapsed time and speed during the three events and added two elimination round wins to his resume.
"We've definitely accomplished a lot and I'm very happy with the progress of this race team," Coughlin said. "As a competitor, you want to win every race you enter and these three events were no different. I certainly believe we ; had the car to win. But the bottom line is we wanted to build this team into a cohesive group and as far as that's concerned, we won big time. I can't wait for next year."
The good news on the day is that Coughlin can get an earlier cross-country flight to West Palm Beach, Fla., for the Monday start of the S&W 5-Day Bracket Championship at Moroso Motorsports Park. Coughlin, a former grand champion of the event, will be racing two cars this time around.
"It's a big deal for me," Coughlin said. "The championship I won there in 2003 as a personal career highlight for me. I'm excited about getting there and racing the best bracket racers in the world."
Unlikely early finish for Coughlin
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 12) -- Defending event champion Jeg Coughlin's attempt at a second straight trophy at the Auto Club NHRA Finals ended abruptly in the first round of Sunday's competition when Coughlin's Slammers Ultimate Milk/Jegs.com Chevrolet Cobalt violently shook its tires at the starting line. Coughlin's car was forced to shut it off and watch opponent Ron Krisher take the win in 6.693 seconds.
"The track was just much better than we thought it would be," Coughlin said. "All weekend the left lane was the one everyone wanted but that shifted this morning and we saw all the nitro guys winning in the right lane. It must have caught us. These things happen and without a book of data to lean on with this racecar and this set-up, we were vulnerable."
Coughlin has only made three professional starts this year. He joined Victor Cagnazzi's Charlotte-based team at the end of the summer and used the final three races as a test base for 2007. He recorded his career-best elapsed time and speed during the three events and added two elimination round wins to his resume.
"We've definitely accomplished a lot and I'm very happy with the progress of this race team," Coughlin said. "As a competitor, you want to win every race you enter and these three events were no different. I certainly believe we ; had the car to win. But the bottom line is we wanted to build this team into a cohesive group and as far as that's concerned, we won big time. I can't wait for next year."
The good news on the day is that Coughlin can get an earlier cross-country flight to West Palm Beach, Fla., for the Monday start of the S&W 5-Day Bracket Championship at Moroso Motorsports Park. Coughlin, a former grand champion of the event, will be racing two cars this time around.
"It's a big deal for me," Coughlin said. "The championship I won there in 2003 as a personal career highlight for me. I'm excited about getting there and racing the best bracket racers in the world."
