Coughlin improves time and stays No. 5 (NHRA/JEG’S)

NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
Southern California Auto Club NHRA Finals
Pomona Raceway
Pomona, CA
Nov. 4, 2005

Jeg Coughlin – JEG’S Mail Order / Mopar – Dodge Stratus RT (Pro Stock)
Friday Qualifying Summary

Pro Stock racer Jeg Coughlin successfully maintained his fifth-place ranking on the Pro Stock qualifying ladder Friday after improving to a 6.704 at 205.79 mph in his Jeg’s Mail Order Dodge Stratus R/T. A four-time winner at Pomona Raceway, Coughlin is aiming for the title of this weekend’s season-ending 41st annual Auto Club NHRA Finals.

“It was good to improve along with the rest of the pack because we really want to stay in the top half of the field,” Coughlin said. “I was impressed because we did it in the right-hand lane, which definitely isn’t as good as the left lane. That’s just the way it’s always been at this racetrack.

“The car ran pretty straight and it was a mostly clean run. There is always a little room for improvement and if the rest of the cars pick up we need to be right there with them.”

Both ends of the Pomona track records were set in Round 2. Jason Line posted a 6.677 before crashing into the sand trap at the top end. Kurt Johnson grabbed the speed record with a 207.62 mph. Coughlin was happy to stay within striking distance.

“I believe we have a hundredth or two we can shave off our time,” Coughlin said. ‘The morning session starts at 11 a.m. and I think that will be the last session where we can really jump up there. But you never know; if it stays cloudy like it did today both rounds should be good. I’m just more optimistic about the morning session because we’ll be on the left side.”

Coughlin is a three-time series champion with 45 national event wins.

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