Coughlin pockets another $10,000 at Tri-State (JEG’S)

HAMILTON, Ohio – One week after winning the $20,000 first place prize at the Top Eliminator Top Gun Classic at Piedmont Dragway, Jeg Coughlin struck again with a $10,000 victory at the Jeg’s U.S. Open Bracket Championships at Tri-State Dragway in Hamilton, Ohio. On Sunday, June 26, the former two-time NHRA Pro Stock champion drove his Jeg’s Mail Order dragster to a final round victory over well-known bracket racing ace Brian Folk. As is often the case in bracket races, the final round was close, with Coughlin’s familiar yellow and black Jeg’s Mail Order dragster crossing the finish line just a thousandth of a second ahead of Folk.

“Things have been going very well for me lately,” said Coughlin. “I’ve managed to win a couple of big races and I’m having a lot of fun. Running against someone as talented as Brian, I expected a close race and that’s exactly what I got. I was very fortunate to be able to win.”

Coughlin raced three cars during the event, which featured three separate days of racing. The rules at the Jeg’s U.S. Open permit a competitor to enter more than one vehicle, so Coughlin also drove his dragster and his new Chevy II and also made some runs in his brother John’s dragster.

“I made 21 passes on Sunday alone,” said Coughlin. “I was tired when it was over, but I was also very pleased. I felt like I was competitive on Friday and Saturday, but I just couldn’t make it to the late rounds. On Sunday, everything fell into place for me. I have to thank the Loudon family, who operate Tri-State Dragway, and [event promoters] Mike Fuqua and Dave Szerlag, who put on a great event.”

Other winner’s from the second annual Jeg’s U.S. Open Bracket Championships were five-time NHRA champ Scotty Richardson, who won $20,000 when he beat Lane Dicken in the final round. On Saturday, Folk’s uncle, Randy claimed the $20,000 top prize when he defeated Kenny Underwood in the final.