Troy Coughlin Jr. started a new chapter in the annals of his famous family's history books in the fall of 2009 when he became the first of the third generation of drag racing Coughlins to win a national event in NHRA competition.

Following in the footsteps of his legendary grandfather Jeg Coughlin Sr., his father Troy Sr., and uncles John, Mike and Jeg Jr., Troy Jr. expertly guided his JEGS.com Super Comp dragster through eight grueling rounds of eliminations to secure the Wally trophy at the ninth annual Las Vegas NHRA Nationals.

It was a banner moment for the Coughlin clan and one that's sure to be repeated as the ever-growing number of younger Coughlins come of age and begin racing, but Troy Jr., or T.J. as he's known, can always say he was the first.

"Drag racing is all I've ever wanted to do," the 19-year-old T.J. said. "Other kids grew up wanting iPods and Xboxes. I just wanted Wallys. Now I've got a big one and it's about the coolest thing ever. I'd like to get some more."

Not surprisingly, T.J.'s first memory revolves around drag racing.

"I was 3 years old at National Trail Raceway and I can still picture Dad driving his Super Gas Cutlass," T.J. said. "It had a white hood scoop and a yellow steering wheel and that thing was so fast. It went 175 mph and everyone else was going 130. It was crazy fast and I thought it was pretty neat that Dad was driving it."

As soon as he turned 8 and was old enough to drive a Junior Dragster, T.J. was racing himself, and his first event made an impact on the youngster.

"I won the first round with my foot to the floor and when we went back around for Round 2 I told Dad, 'I can win this race by a lot. My car is fast!'" T.J. said. "Dad said, 'Okay, but just remember you can lose that way also.' Sure enough, I stood on it all the way down and broke out of my index by a bunch. I've been intrigued by it all ever since."

T.J. dedicated himself to the sport and raced Junior Dragsters as often as possible for the next seven years. He even won his first race in the class at his home track of National Trail during a divisional race in 2005.

Showing his grandfather's entrepreneurial spirit, T.J. began a side business in between events, building and dyno-testing Junior Dragster motors for his friends and fellow competitors.

"I started a company called Generation 3 Racing Engines and did pretty good with it," T.J. said. "I was probably the only freshman at my high school with a tax I.D. number. I've always been interested with the technology of racing and building motors allowed me to tinker.

"I'd like to build bigger motors in the future. I'm also into tuning the chassis like Pappy does. I never go visit him without a notepad because I love to pick his brain on all that stuff."

T.J. moved up to the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series when he turned 17 and has been competing in his Uncle John's Super Comp dragster ever since.

"My first official NHRA race was the '08 divisional at National Trail," T.J. said. "I've been on a learning curve ever since. We had a great run towards the end of '09 and to finish with the win in Vegas was special. I've been on top of the world ever since.

"I plan to race Super Comp for at least a few more years. I'd like to contend for the national championship. Then maybe I'll move up to Comp or Top Dragster. Ultimately, I want to race Pro Stock like my Uncle Jeg. I'm a foot-to-the-floor-type racer and Pro Stock is it for me. But I'm not in a rush. I always want to make sure I'm enjoying myself first."