Mike Coughlin, Troy Coughlin Jr. ready to continue family success at Indy

INDIANAPOLIS – JEGS.com driver Mike Coughlin begins a new chapter of his career as the North Central Division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series kicks off its 2016 season this weekend with the Ray Skillman Spring Spectacle of Speed at Lucas Oil Raceway.

Coughlin, one of four brothers who run JEGS High Performance, is debuting a race car in the Top Dragster class.

“It’s definitely a new endeavor for us,” Coughlin said. “We switched from Top Sportsman to Top Dragster this year, and we had Dan Page build us a car that’s pretty much a work of art.”

He will race this weekend with nephew Troy Coughlin Jr., who begins his quest for the national championships in Super Gas and Super Comp.

Mike, though, is facing a new challenge with a new division and a new race car.

“We’re trying to get it shaken down today,” Mike said. “It’s working good. We’ll make some changes for tomorrow, but it’s definitely promising.

“I wanted to try something a little bit different. I like driving door cars or dragsters. A dragster is a little bit easier to see out of, and getting in and out of it is a little easier, too. I just wanted to mix it up a little bit and try something different.”

Troy will mix it up with Division 3’s best, all while chasing the national championships in two classes. The best five of eight races count for the national title, and getting off to a good start is key.

“We’re prepared for what we’re about to do,” Troy said. “We’re going to try our best. It’s really important to get a good start. It puts your confidence at a good level, and in my opinion, it’s better to have a good start, just to keep your confidence up.
Troy Coughlin Jr.

“A lot of drivers in the other divisions have gotten started, and they’re on good rolls. You want to stay with them.”

Sportsman racing can be cutthroat, as some of the best in the country will be racing in Division 3, but Troy is up for the challenge.

“There’s usually a big turnout, usually 80 or 90 cars per class for Super Gas and Super Comp,” Troy said. “D3 is such a stacked division for these classes, and everybody has been working hard over the winter. They’ve had cabin fever and are ready to go out and race. It’s going to be a challenge, but we’re in love with it.”

The Coughlin family also loves Indianapolis, having tasted success at the famed track over the years. Mike won in Pro Stock Truck there in 1999, and Troy won the U.S. Nationals in Super Gas in 2014 and Super Comp in 2010.

“T.J. and I were talking about how when you pull through the gates, you get goose bumps because of all the history and the success my family and I have had here,” Mike said. “It’s one of those iconic places that is special to you. You really see it when you’re driving your car back up to the return road: You see the tower, the bridge, and all that. You think, ‘That’s pretty neat. We’re at Indy.’ “