READING, PA – Although this is Troy Coughlin Jr.’s second year in the Pro Stock ranks, this is his first time contesting the Countdown to the Championship, a magical time he’s determined to enjoy with hisJEGS.com Elite Motorsports teammates.

Only the top-10 drivers in each professional category get a chance to chase the title during the six-race Countdown. Last year, due to COVID, the popular playoff system was scrapped, denying drivers and fans alike a chance to ramp up the excitement. This year, the pressure and drama are back, and Coughlin couldn’t be happier.

“Let’s go!” he said. “It’s time to rock ‘n’ roll.

“It’s my first Countdown and I’m extremely proud to be a part of the field and, more importantly, to be headed into the battle with this incredible group. Mark Ingersoll, Kelly Murphy, Steven Hurley, Eric Luzinski, and Kyle Bates, those are the guys that make it all work and I wouldn’t want to race with anyone else.”

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Indianapolis, IN – “It was pretty surreal when I won in 2010 because I knew my dad (Troy Sr.) had won Super Gas there in 1991 when I was a baby. To join Pops, my Uncle Mike (who won Indy in Pro Stock Truck in 1999 and 2001), and my Uncle Jeg (a five-time Indy winner in a variety of classes), was such a special feeling.”

Currently seventh in the Pro Stock rankings with a pair of final-round showings, Troy Jr. needs another solid weekend in his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro to secure his spot in this year’s Countdown to the Championship.

“This is the final race before the playoffs so we’re looking to continue the momentum we’ve gained and make a great run at the championship,” Troy Jr. said. “If I can get off the pedal when I’m supposed to then I know we can contend because Mark Ingersoll (crew chief), Kelly Murphy, Steven Hurley, Eric Luzinski, and Kyle Bates always give me a great racecar. They are so efficient and professional, it’s exciting to be around them.”

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HEBRON, OH – A record number of seven members of Team JEGS will be participating in this year’s recently-added JEGS Performance Summer Fling presented by Optima Batteries at National Trail Raceway, the home track of the famous Coughlin clan.

From six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., to 20-year-old rookie Super Comp driver Jack Coughlin, the entire yellow-and-black contingent will be fighting for glory throughout the four-day, action-packed meet.

Jeg Jr. will be doubling-up each day, as he plans to compete in both his JEGS.com dragster and the crowd-favorite JEGS.com Chevy II wagon.

A student at Ohio State University, Jack will allow his father Mike, a three-time Division 3 champion, to pinch-hit for him until he breaks free from his classes later in the week.

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TOPEKA, KS – Troy Coughlin Jr. became the fourth member of his legendary family to earn the No. 1 qualifier designation, highlighting a steady race weekend that ended with a third-place finish in the Pro Stock category.

Coughlin coaxed a 6.600-second pass at 205.07 mph out of his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro Saturday to edge points leader Greg Anderson out of the top qualifying position. That placed the 31-year-old, third generation pro alongside his six-time champion uncle Jeg Coughlin Jr., his three-time champion father Troy Coughlin and his three-time divisional champion uncle Mike Coughlin as family members who have topped a pro field at an NHRA national event.

“All the credit in the world goes to this team,” Troy Jr. said. “Our crew chief Mark Ingersoll, along with Steven Hurley, Kelly Murphy, Kyle Bates and Eric Luzinski earned that No. 1 qualifier, for sure. Their relentless pursuit of perfection yielded the results they deserve. I just wish I could have carried that momentum all the way through race day.”

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TOPEKA, KS – Whether he’s on the drag strip executing 210-plus mph runs in the JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro or relaxing in the pits mingling with the fans, Pro Stock driver Troy Coughlin Jr. is a pretty unflappable guy. His steady demeanor has yielded three championships in the NHRA’s sportsman ranks as well as eight national event titles, 10 divisional wins and four high-dollar bracket race victories.

Heading into this weekend’s 32nd annual Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor, Coughlin Jr. knows if he can remain cool as the competition (and summertime temperatures) continue to heat up, he’ll be in great shape when the run into this year’s Camping World NHRA Championship takes shape.

“I love this time of the year because everything starts to get more intense,” Coughlin Jr. said. “It brings out the best in people and I love to race when stakes are high. We’ve had a steady first half of the season and I know without question we have a car and team capable of big things.

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SONOMA, CA – Pro Stock driver Troy Coughlin Jr.’s first trip out west this season yielded a stout semifinal finish at Sunday’s 33rd annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals. His successful Wine Country weekend included a holeshot round-win over reigning four-time class champion Erica Enders, his teammate at Elite Motorsports.

“These are the kind of weekend’s that make you better,” Coughlin said. “We didn’t get the ultimate result we are looking for but we continue gain rhythm as a team and if I can find a better way to let out the clutch pedal we’ll reach all our goals.

“My crew chief, Mark Ingersoll, along with Kelly Murphy, Steven Hurley and Kyle Bates, never stop working on making this JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro better and it showed this weekend. We have everything here to win and I’m already looking forward to next weekend in Pomona.”

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SONOMA, CA – For most drag racers, arriving at Sonoma Raceway for this year’s 33rd annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals will immediately conjure up warm memories of former track manager Kyle “Big Nasty” Seipel, who passed away last month at the age of 50 after a long battle with cancer. That is certainly the case for Pro Stock driver Troy Coughlin, pilot of the JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro.

“This weekend I’m racing in Kyle’s honor,” Coughlin said “He did so much for the sport, as a driver, a crew chief, a track manager, and an event organizer, that his contributions set him apart from others. We lost a great person and his impact is sorely missed.

“I can’t wait to see his parents, Georgia and Ted Seipel, and tell them in person what Kyle meant to me. I know I’m not alone in my sentiments but I want them to hear it directly from me. I loved the guy and admired him quite a bit.”

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Two-race weekend to feature Sportsman debuts of Jack & Clay Coughlin

HEBRON, OH – As if this weekend wasn’t big enough for three-time champion Mike Coughlin with two major events taking place as part of JEGS Speedweek — the JEGS SPORTSnationals on Thursday and Friday and a Division 3 regional race on Saturday and Sunday — it will also mark the Sportsman debut for both of his sons, Jack and Clay.

“My excitement level is off the charts,” Mike said. “I’m definitely ready to maintain our great start in Top Dragster but that really takes a back seat to the boy’s first races at this level.

“Jack licensed last year in Super Comp and got in a bunch of passes at a bracket race but this is his first NHRA race. Clay completed his Super Stock licensing runs a week ago and did a great job. They have both taken to their respective classes very well and seem ready to go. If there are any nerves involved they certainly aren’t showing them.”

The second annual JEGS Speedweek is sure to be as big or bigger than last year’s inaugural event, which was a great success despite the lingering restrictions of the COVID pandemic. Cars will hit the track as soon as Wednesday for an extended test-and-tune session, along with a Stock vs. Super Stock Shootout.

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NORWALK, OH – In addition to their mutual passion for drag racing, members of the Coughlin family all share a great love for their home state of Ohio. This intense pride for all things Buckeye place a premium on this weekend’s NHRA national event at one of the most beloved racetracks in professional motorsports.

“It’s Norwalk weekend, so if you’re from Ohio this is the one you want to win the most,” said Troy Coughlin Jr., driver of the JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. “It’s all about Buckeye pride and representing the best state in the country.”

Troy Jr. will be trying his best to bag one of three Wally trophies Team JEGS can take home when Pro Stock roars to life Friday with two rounds of professional qualifying. His uncle Mike Coughlin and sister Paige Coughlin also will be in action, pursuing their own respective victories in Top Dragster and Super Comp.

“Our family has done well at this track in the past and we really want to keep that going this weekend,” Troy Jr. said. “I actually won the last time I raced here (in 2019) when I was in Top Alcohol Dragster. My dad (Troy Coughlin Sr.) won Pro Mod here in 2014 and that same race my uncle Mike won in Top Sportsman. Aunt Samantha (Coughlin) also won Super Comp here in 2009. We need to keep those wins coming.

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