Delaware, Ohio (Wednesday, June 13th, 2012): For 2011 Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts, 16-year-old Cody Coughlin has experiences a whirlwind that is the 2012 racing season. It’s been filled with its’ share of highs and lows;
From winning Two Fast Qualifier Awards during the 46th annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing down at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida in February, to an impressive sixth place showing in the Beau Slocumb Memorial at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Georgia back on April 7th when the Buckeye State teenager came from the back of the pack more than once to claim that sixth place showing.
So far in the first four JEGS/CRA races, the season hasn’t exactly gone according to plan for the Delaware, Ohio teenager, but despite some trials and tribulations, Coughlin is still in the top 10 in the season long points chase heading into Race #5 for the series; At the 4/10s (0.400) mile progressively banked paved oval of Dixie Motor Speedway on Friday, June 15th for the Auto Value Parts Stores & Certified Service Centers 100 Presented by JEGS.com. This race was originally scheduled for June 1st but was postponed to the 15th due to Mother Nature.
The Birch Run, Michigan speed plant holds a special place in the hearts of Coughlin and the entire JEGS.com team as the Eastern Michigan facility is where Coughlin turned some of his first laps ever behind the wheel of a Late Model at just 14 years old. The track is also the site of his first ever start behind the wheel of a full-bodied stock car back in 2010 in the old Varney Late Model Series.
Reflecting back on the last event at his home track of Columbus Motor Speedway in Columbus, Ohio, just down the road from the Delaware, Ohio race shop, the CoughlinCars.com 100 Presented by JEGS.com was a huge race for the entire team; “ Columbus was a great time! We had a big cheering section which was nice. A lot of family was there and was fun to talk with them,” Stated Coughlin as he and his Team JEGS crew continue preparations for the trip up to Birch Run, Michigan.
“We had a great practice was fast and learned about the car qualifying we were a bit loose, but we had a great race passed a lot of cars and got up to about second.” He explained. It was during that time that the overflow crowd in attendance, mostly wearing the yellow & black colors of JEGS.com in support of Coughlin led by his younger sister, Kennedi, were all on their feet cheering on the crowd favorite as the Buckeye State teenager showed signs of a veteran as he maneuvered through the field to get up to as high as second.
“I think we would of had a great shot of winning, but I spun the 22 car out and was parked.” Remarked the 16-year-old. “But it was a great race and I learned a lot. I can’t think of a better place to get a first win than Dixie. It was one of my first places I raced at and finished well last year so I’m excited! I have to thank the Lord for this opportunity and for h is many blessings and safety. It is very important as a family to be together and work together, after all, that’s what JEGS was built on.” He ended.
A rmed with new Crew Chief, Butch VanDoorn on top of the pit box, Coughlin feels his chance to show how far he has come in such a short time in his brief career is coming soon and Dixie is a prime track to pull off that coveted first ever win. VanDoorn, a Coopersville, Michigan native, who has since transplanted down to the Buckeye State after being hired by Team Owners, John & Di Coughlin, came to Team JEGS armed with an impressive list of credentials.
Amongst his resume builders includes two consecutive ARCA/CRA Super Series Championships in 2009 and 2010. Last Season, VanDoorn called the shots for the inaugural JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts Champions and in hiring VanDoorn prior to the start of the 2012 racing season, the Coughlin Family was, and still is, just as excited as their son in terms of the potential that the current year has.
“Cody’s Driving Coach, Gary St. Amant spotted for him at Columbus and did a great job. Cody drove extremely well with Gary in the Spotters Stand. It worked out very well,” Added Coughlin’s Parents. “That allowed Butch to concentrate solely on his Crew Chief duties and overall it was a good performance for the entire team. We’re going to win one very soon, We all can feel it! Dixie is a great track and hopefully we’ll find victory lane there on Friday.” They added.
In 2011 and in addition to winning the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year title, Coughlin scored an impressive sixth place overall finish in the season long points chase with the JEGS/CRA series. As a 15-year-old, he scored four top five finishes including a career high second place finish at Rockford Speedway in Loves Park, Illinois back on July 30th. Coughlin also collected seven top 10 showings and finished just a single point outside of the top five in the final standings.
Throughout the 2012 racing season, Coughlin’s yellow and black #1 JEGS.com Chevrolet has additional sponsorship decals from’ CoughlinCars.com as well as Mac Tools, Traxxas, M.P.H. Promotions, Coughlin Brothers Racing, and Team JEGS. To learn more about Cody Coughlin and Team JEGS, please go to the teams’ website at: www.teamjegs.com