NORWALK, Ohio (June 20) – The famed Coughlin family will make its return home to race in this weekend's NHRA race in Ohio, as four members will get behind the wheel in pursuit of Wally trophies.
Defending Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin Sr. will compete in the J&A Service Pro Mod Series event, while younger brother Mike will race in the Top Dragster class and youngest brother Jeg Jr. is entered in the Pro Stock category.
Troy Coughlin Jr., Troy Sr.'s son and a third-generation driver, is entered in Super Gas and Super Comp.
Patriarch Jeg Coughlin Sr., born in Delaware, Ohio, started the drag racing tradition in the 1950s. in 1960 he founded JEGS Automotive in Columbus, and the JEGS name has been synonymous with drag racing and with the state of Ohio ever since.
"I love racing in the great state of Ohio," Troy Jr. said. "It's home. Your family and your friends are there. It would be the coolest race to win."
National Trail Raceway hosted NHRA national events for many years before those races were moved to Norwalk. Now, Norwalk is the Coughlin family's home track, some 80 miles north of Delaware, Ohio.
"Growing up in Ohio and getting some of our marquee wins on our home track at National Trail Raceway are memories I'll never, ever forget, whether it was myself or one of my brothers or my father," Jeg said. "That race has transitioned north to Norwalk, but it's still our home-state track and we enjoy going there. We've got a ton of fans who really enjoy watching us race who come from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia Pennsylvania areas. It's fun to perform in front of them."
JEGS High Performance associates were all invited to attend the race in Norwalk, so expect to see plenty of fans wearing yellow and black.
"It's going to be great," Troy Sr. said. "I can't wait to go back to the race up in Norwalk. We're like 70 miles from the shop, and we’ll have 300-some JEGS associates come up to the race. I'm looking forward to getting up there. It's a great race track, and the Bader family does an awesome job."
In 2014, Troy Sr. and Mike both won national events on the same weekend at Norwalk, completing a rare family double-up.
"Troy and I doubled-up there two years ago," Mike said. "Jeg's got a shot, Troy's got a shot, I do and Troy Jr. has two shots. We've got a lot of opportunity to do some good there.
"It's really fun to race with Troy and Jeg and Troy Jr. I really enjoy racing with all those guys. It's fun to all be together."
The Coughlin family, including John, Troy, Mike, Jeg Jr. and Troy Jr. has combined for 110 NHRA national event victories since 1990. The Coughlin’s have won in 10 different eliminators including Pro Stock, Pro Stock Truck, Pro Mod, Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster.
And the family would love nothing more than to add to those totals this weekend.
"It's a fun place to race," Mike said. "Needless to say, it's a very, very nice facility, and the Bader family does a great job promoting and running the race. It's one of my favorite races of the year."