Generation next wins (NHRA/JEG’S)

Troy Coughlin Jr., the 15-year-old son of Pro Mod driver Troy Coughlin, won his first Jr. Dragster race at the Lucas Oil Division 3 event at National Trail Raceway. Troy Jr., known as T.J. to his friends and family, becomes the initial third-generation Coughlin to score a win in NHRA competition.

“It was quite a scene,” beaming father Troy said. “All of us were at the race cheering him on and we practically ripped him out of his car at the other end when he won. He was pretty excited but the first thing he asked was if he could race Uncle John’s Super Comp dragster next year. I told him to enjoy this moment and worry about that later.”

T.J. needed to win four rounds of eliminations to take the trophy from the 19 racers attending the event. All age groups and E.T. brackets raced in the event with the ladder and lane choice being set by reaction times. T.J. averaged a .032-second reaction time in eliminations.