COUGHLIN JR. LOOKS TO REPEAT AS MOPAR SUPER STOCK HEMI® CHALLENGE CHAMPION (NHRA/Mopar)

Center Line, Mich. – Jeg Coughlin Jr. is accustomed to being the center of attention, and that won’t change during this weekend’s NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, as every eye in the house will be on him. Coughlin must not only perform well in his NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Series ride, but he’ll also have to fend off more than 25 of the best SS/AA division drivers in the country in the Mopar Super Stock Hemi Challenge.

Coughlin drove the West Coast Hemis Barracuda through a 22-car field to capture the event in 2004. Never having been in the car before competing, he wowed fans by gathering up the quarter-mile monster repeatedly to take the win. He will return to the cockpit of the Harry Holton owned machine again this week for a second run at the title.

“I’m sure defending our title won’t be an easy task,” Coughlin said. “Harry and Michael are confident, though, that they will have very fast race cars for the entire team to compete with. I believe that multi-time champion Steve Wann will be piloting an additional car, as well as past Hemi Challenge winner Jerry Jenkins. So, we will have a full arsenal to defend our title with.”

The Mopar Super Stock Hemi Challenge offers NHRA Drag Racing fans an opportunity to experience the nostalgia and history of the sport by providing them a glimpse into the past. Predominantly featuring 1968 Plymouth Barracudas, the event is regarded as one of the most exciting aspects of the NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.

The event’s presence and longevity is also noted by Coughlin Jr.

“The Hemi Challenge is unique for a number of reasons,” Coughlin said. “The first is that we’ll have 20-plus of the best SS/AA cars in the country competing for the Hemi Challenge trophy and prizes at the most prestigious event: the U.S. Nationals. What makes the Hemi Challenge so prestigious is the fact that these cars were built from the factory to compete at the highest level of super stock competition in the 1960s.”

Coughlin, who pilots the Jeg’s Mail Order Dodge Stratus R/T Pro Stock ride for Don Schumacher Racing, joined Team Mopar late in 2004. He is currently ranked eighth in NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Series points.

Competitors in the Super Stock/A-Automatic (SS/AA) division are eligible to compete in the Super Stock HEMI Challenge event. Featuring more than 25 Hemi-powered factory lightweight SS/AA 1968 Plymouth Barracudas and Dodge Darts, the event winner will receive a $10,000 bonus. The final round will feature an all-or-nothing format, as competitors vie for both bragging rights and a cash prize.

The Mopar Super Stock Hemi Challenge will take place on Friday, September 2, during the 51st Mac Tools U.S. Nationals event at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

For a complete schedule of U.S. Nationals activities, visit http://nhra.com/apcm/templates/event_schedule.asp?articleid=2465&zoneid=91&navsource=18.

For more information about Coughlin Jr., the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Mopar Super Stock Hemi Challenge, Mopar Direct Connection or Team Mopar, visit www.teamjegs.com, www.irponline.com, www.moparspeed.com, www.mopar.com or www.nhra.com.