BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 20) – Father's Day is shaping up to be one of the best ever for the JEGS.com Pro Mod team of Troy Coughlin Sr. and Troy Coughlin Jr.
The father/son team could meet in the semifinals of the J&A Service Pro Mod race as part of the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Sunday at Bristol Dragway, and if they do, that means a JEGS.com car would be in the finals.
But more importantly to the Coughlins is being able to race with other on Father's Day.
"Words can't describe," Troy Jr. said. "It's a great day to be out at the dragstrip on Father's Day, let alone with your father, racing with your father. You might have to pinch me; I might be dreaming. What an honor to race beside him. It's going to be a great day tomorrow.
"I think he's going to be the car to beat. He may have a target on his back, but it's still Father's Day. We love him."
Troy Sr. clearly appreciates being able to race with his son, too.
"It's really cool," Troy Sr. said. "I'm proud of T.J. for what he's done and for coming this far. He's been in the top 10 all year and qualified for just about every race. He's been a strong competitor, and it's going to be a good day of racing tomorrow. Steve will have both cars dialed in and as fast as they can be. It should be some pretty close racing."
Troy Sr. was the highest qualified of the two JEGS.com cars, as he is No. 4 with a pass of 5.869 seconds at 250.92 mph. He'll race No. 13 qualifier Clint Satterfield (5.952 at 241.97 mph) in the first round Sunday.
"The car is coming around, and each race it's getting a little bit better," Troy Sr. said. "It's tough to go test these things somewhere to try and find out what works best. But with (crew chief) Steve (Petty's) expertise and the Pro Line horsepower, the JEGS.com car is getting faster and faster by the race, for sure."
Troy Jr. is in the No. 9 qualifying spot, getting bumped out of the top half of the field in the latter stages of the final qualifying session. The Pro Mod series usually runs the first round of eliminations on Saturday, but rain postponed the Bristol E1 to Sunday.
Troy Jr. faces No. 8 qualifier Eric Dillard (5.935 seconds at 247.34 mph) in the first round.
"The JEGS.com group has a good handle on it," Troy Jr. said. "We're learning, and we're making runs that are par for the course. On raceday, we're going to be at our best. Search for a yellow car: one of them's going to be there."