Cody Coughlin led over 60 laps in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour 100 on Saturday night at Michigan's Auto City Speedway, and he and his JEGS.com team learned a lot of valuable information for going forward.
Coughlin qualified sixth, but started second courtesy of a seven-car invert. However circumstances gave Coughlin a 16th-place finish after a very strong run.
Coughlin wasted no time in getting out front on the start as he took the lead off of turn two on the first lap of the race.
From there Coughlin built up multiple big leads. Every time he'd build up a big lead, the caution would come out and bring the field back to him. But he'd quickly stretch things back out after each restart.
"We had a great car tonight," said Coughlin. "I'm very thankful that my crew chief, Nick Easton, my spotter, Scott Wimmer, my team manager, Kevin Hamlin, and crew member, Dave Holt gave me an awesome car. I think we learned a lot for the future."
Coughlin led most of the race but contact on successive restarts resulted in what he believes was a flat tire. He spun out with five laps to go and finished 16th.
"I wish we got the result that we deserved," said Coughlin, "but it was still a great job by my team all weekend long.
"I'm glad that we could lead a lot of laps in front of my parents, John and Di, and my sister, Kennedi. I'm very thankful that the good Lord gives me this opportunity to race and do what I love."
Coughlin is off to the Michigan International Speedway where he'll make his second career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start, and first with Kyle Busch Motorsports.
For more information on Cody Coughlin please follow him on Twitter (@cody_coughlin). Please also visit Team JEGS on Twitter (@TeamJEGS) and on the JEGS Performance Facebook page as well. All other inquiries can be made by contacting Bob Dillner at bd51sports@gmail.com.