The proven way to racing success in the Coughlin always has been a straight line -- as in the 1,320 feet of a drag strip. But third-generation racer Cody Coughlin has quickly proven his family pedigree translates well to oval tracks.

At just 13 years of age, the son of drag racing champion John Coughlin and grandson of NHRA legend Jeg Coughlin Sr. already has a title to his name after winning USAC's Heavy Mod division in its .25 Midget Series in the fall of 2009.

With dreams of a career on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Cody is successfully fighting his way through the .25 Midget ranks, advancing from the Senior Rookie class, to Heavy Honda, and on to Heavy Mod in one year's time. He's already chalked up five victories -- two in Senior Rookie, one in Heavy Honda, and two more in Heavy Mod -- and finished well enough in the other races to earn him the divisional championship.

Notably, the title makes him the first of the third generation of Coughlin's to earn a series championship.

Cody competed in a handful of events in a JEGS.com Junior Dragster and looks forward to more. But for now his 50-mph Heavy Honda takes first place and a full slate of races are on his 2010 schedule.