For the second time in Cody Coughlin’s life he will race on a dirt-covered race track. After a strong run in last year’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway (OH), Coughlin will return to his home-state track, this time with his JEGS.com/RIDE TV Toyota Tundra for Ohio-based ThorSport Racing.
In 2016, Coughlin won the last-chance qualifier and raced his way into the top 10 before a cut tire prematurely ended his night. The confidence of racing strong on the dirt this year has stuck with Coughlin as he prepares for his second dirt start on Wednesday, July 19.
“After last year’s run I’m very optimistic that we’ll be pretty good in the race,” said Coughlin. “I imagine that there will still be a big transition because I don’t race on dirt hardly ever, but I’m confident we can come out of there with a top 10. Kenny Wallace (NASCAR & Dirt Modified Racer / FOX TV commentator) helped me a bunch last year in how to get around a dirt track and I haven’t forgotten what he told me. This year I’ll have Donnie Moran with me and he knows a thing or two about winning at Eldora Speedway.”
Donnie Moran will be Coughlin’s driver coach at Eldora Speedway. Moran is a five-time crown-jewel winner of Dirt Late Model races at Eldora Speedway (four World 100 wins / one Dream win). In fact, he is also known as the “Million Dollar Man” for his victory at Eldora in 2000 when the race paid a million dollars to win.
Wednesday’s race is also Coughlin’s only race of the year in his home-state of Ohio. Coughlin hails from Delaware, Ohio, which is less than 100 miles east of Rossburg where Eldora Speedway is located.
“It’s always fun to race in front of friends and family. That doesn’t happen often now that I’m racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. We only have one race in Ohio, so that makes this race at Eldora even more special. It’s also the home race for ThorSport too, since our shop is in Sandusky, so it’ll be cool to be near our home and the team’s home.”
Coughlin will hit the track on Tuesday, July 18 for two practice sessions at Eldora. The first session will begin at 7 p.m. ET and final practice will begin at 9 p.m. ET.
Wednesday, July 19 is Eldora Dirt Derby race day. Qualifying will take place at 5:15 p.m. ET. Heat races will follow at 7:30 p.m. ET with the feature race set to begin at 9:30 p.m. ET. Wednesday’s race will air live on FOX Business.
Race fans will have the chance to meet Coughlin at Eldora Speedway at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series autograph session from 3-3:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
For more information on Cody Coughlin and Team JEGS, visit codycoughlin.com and follow Cody on Twitter, @Cody_Coughlin. Follow Team JEGS on Twitter, @TeamJEGS, and “Like”JEGS Performance on Facebook. Follow ThorSport Racing on Twitter, @ThorSportRacing, and visit them online at ThorSport.com. If you need more information regarding ThorSport please contact Jessica O’Brien via email at jessica@edgehillmanagement.com. Any other inquiries for Cody Coughlin can be sent to Bob Dillner via email at bd51sports@gmail.com.
About JEGS Automotive, Inc.
In 1960, Jeg Coughlin Sr. founded JEGS as a small speed shop. It has grown into a high-performance powerhouse that includes a race team (Team JEGS), 250,000 square foot warehouse, retail store, mail order and website. The 350+ employees at JEGS still strongly believe and practice our simply business philosophy: Customer Care is #1. For more information about JEGS Automotive, Inc. visit JEGS.com.
About Ride Television Network, Inc.
Ride Television Network, Inc. is a privately held corporation based in Fort Worth, Texas. The company was formed in 2011 for the purpose of launching a 24-hour, high definition, television network. RIDE TV launched on October 1, 2014 in the United States and is now available internationally. The network features high-quality television programming showcasing both English and Western disciplines and lifestyles and includes live events, reality shows, talk shows, children’s programming, documentaries and more. For more information about RIDE TV, please visit www.ridetv.com.
About ThorSport Racing
ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest-tenured NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing, which has competed in the NCWTS since 1996, will run the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by two-time NCWTS drivers’ champion Matt Crafton, the No. 13 JEGS/RIDE TV Toyota Tundra driven by Cody Coughlin, the No. 27 Tundra driven by Ben Rhodes, and the No. 98 RIDE TV/Champion Power Equipment/Jive Communications/Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Grant Enfinger. For more information visit www.ThorSport.com.