Jeg Coughlin Jr. seeking more history in Houston
Courtesy of Jegs
HOUSTON, TX – Royal Purple Raceway and the NHRA Spring Nationals will always have a special place in the memory of four-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., driver of the JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger.
The southeast Texas track is the site of some important milestone victories in Coughlin’s career, and if things work out, there could me more memorable wins coming at the April 27-29 event.
“Houston will always bring fond memories to me; it was the site of my first Super Stock win in 1994 and my first Pro Stock win in 1997,” Coughlin said. “There is something about the track and the environment there that have always yielded favorable results for me and our teams. I love the place.”
Coughlin said the atmosphere the Angel family has created at Royal Purple Raceway over the years is a big factor in the comfort level he enjoys at the facility.
“The Angels are a big, tight-knit family like we are,” Coughlin said. “(Track VP and co-owner) Seth Angel has done a fantastic job making the track better for fans and drivers alike since taking over. It’s always fun to head to Houston and enjoy their hospitality. The Angels are some of the best tracks owners on the circuit.”
On Thursday, Coughlin will play in the Darrell Russell Memorial Golf Tournament at Evergreen Point Golf Club, before getting down to the business of racing on Friday.
“This time around we are looking forward to getting our race face back on and doing battle,” Coughlin said. “We will be testing just before our trip to Houston and our main goal is to get consistency, reliability and performance out of the launch of our HEMI-powered Dodge Avenger.
“I am confident we will accomplish this favorably and this will greatly improve our ET in this sport of acceleration called drag racing.”
Coughlin also will be gunning for win in the Stock category. If he manages to succeed in that endeavor, it would be the seventh different class in which he’s won an NHRA national event, a feat unprecedented in the NHRA.
“My HEMI-powered Drag Pak Dodge Challenger is ready to pick up from where we left off in Gainesville and Charlotte,” Coughlin said. “The car has been running very well and I am getting extremely comfortable behind the wheel.”
Coughlin already is the only driver in NHRA history with wins in six classes: Super Gas, Super Stock, Comp, Pro Stock, Top Dragster and Super Comp
Qualifying for the NHRA Spring Nationals gets under way at 2:30 p.m. CDT, April 27 at Royal Purple Raceway. Two more qualifying sessions will be run starting April 28 at 11:30 a.m. with eliminations starting at 11 a.m. on April 29. ESPN2 will air the qualifying show at 6 p.m. EDT on April 28 and the elimination show at 7 p.m. on April 29.
