Jeg Coughlin gets quicker, eyes Round 1 showdown with old rival (NHRA/JEG’S)

NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
NHRA Toyo Tires Nationals
Maple Grove Raceway
Reading, PA
Sept. 17th

Jeg Coughlin – JEG’S Mail Order / Mopar – Dodge Stratus RT (Pro Stock)
Saturday Qualifying Summary

Mission accomplished. That’s the general feeling in the Jeg’s Mail Order pit after Pro Stock racer Jeg Coughlin managed to improve his standing in the field of the 21st annual Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals as the event turns to eliminations. Coughlin zoomed to a 6.764 at 203.71 mph Saturday morning in the third of four time trails at Maple Grove Raceway to place his yellow and black Dodge Stratus R/T 11th overall.

“We improved a little bit on the ladder and we improved even more on the performance sheets so we’re very, very happy,” Coughlin said. “I kind of have a number in my head that I like to stay within three hundredths of the No. 1 driver. I feel like that’s what you can realistically hope to make up on the starting line with a good light. Right now we’re within that range so I feel as though we can be competitive.”

The top racer at this event is Jason Line, who posted a 6.735 at 204.79 mph Saturday afternoon. Coughlin’s first round opponent will be six-time series champion Warren Johnson, who ran a best of 6.748 at 204.23 mph.

“Let’s face it, they’re all good,” Coughlin said. “If you want to win you have to get the most out of your car and take out whoever’s in the other lane. That’s the way it works. You might as well start against the all-time wins leader. Why not? You have to beat them all to win a race and that’s the only result we’re truly happy with at the end of the day.”

This marks the 33rd consecutive event where Coughlin has managed to qualify for race day, the third longest streak in class behind back-to-back series champion Anderson (66) and his teammate Jason Line (46). Coughlin is one of just seven racers in the Pro Stock category to successfully qualify for every race this season.

Coughlin is a three-time series champion and two-time winner at Maple Grove Raceway. Overall, including his days as a sportsman racer and as a professional, Coughlin has amassed 45 national event trophies.

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