Coughlin earns another pole before World Series race gets postponed by rain

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 23) – Cody Coughlin and the JEGS.com team continued a solid World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing performance by winning the pole Wednesday night for the 25-lap Pro Late Model race at New Smyrna Speedway.

The race itself was postponed, however, because of heavy rain that pelted the Central Florida area in the evening hours. Coughlin, 16, will start second in Thursday’s rescheduled feature after the top two positions are inverted for the start.

“It’s been a pretty good time down here,” Coughlin said. “I’m proud of (crew chief) Butch (VanDoorn) and the entire crew. They’ve worked really hard, and the car has been fast all week. I hope we can get a win before we leave. I’m going to do the best I can to get one for us.”

Coughlin paced the second Pro Late Model practice Wednesday in his No. 1 Chevrolet, and then sped to the pole in qualifying as the only driver in his class to do a sub-18-second lap, 17.976 seconds.

The pole was Coughlin’s second in as many days, and he’s also qualified second for the two other Pro Late Model races.

“We haven’t qualified outside the top two,” VanDoorn said. “From where we started, racing-wise, to where we’re at, I’m real pleased. We’re going to come out (Thursday) and hopefully go out with a bang. We’re starting second, so we should be good to go.”

Thursday’s race is Coughlin’s fourth during the World Series, run in conjunction with NASCAR’s Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. He has a best finish of third, and also has a ninth-place finish.

“Thanks to the Lord for giving us the opportunity to race,” Coughlin said. “Even though we didn’t get the race in, it’s always fun to hang out with my crew, as well as my family. I’m thankful to my mom and dad for guiding me through my racing career and my life, and I want to say thanks to my sister, Kennedi, for being there for me, too. I’m so blessed to be able to do this.”