Quickest Pro Stock field ever includes Coughlin (NHRA/JEG’S)

NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals
Route 66 Raceway
Joliet, Ill.
Sept. 30, 2005

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

Pro Stock driver Jeg Coughlin knew Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, the site of this weekend’s fifth annual Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals, was going to be fast this weekend. Near-perfect weather conditions combined with an ultra-smooth racetrack is a dream scenario for any drag racer. The only question was just how well his Jeg’s Mail Order Dodge Stratus R/T would stack up against the competition

At the midway point of professional qualifying the answer is clear: Pretty darn well, as he successfully managed to earn a spot in the quickest 16-car field ever assembled in POWERade Drag Racing Series history.

Coughlin opened qualifying with the day’s first 6.6-second pass, a smooth 6.699 at 206.32 mph that was bettered by just four other racers in Round 1. He followed that up with a nail-biting 6.695 at 205.47 mph in the even cooler nighttime session to finish opening day in the No. 14 position overall. There will be two more chances for everyone to qualify Saturday with rounds scheduled to begin at 12:15 and 3 p.m.

“We started pretty solid out of the JEG’S trailer,” said Coughlin. “Now we need to take what we learned from day-one and apply it to day-two and three.”

With two wins (2002 and 2003) and one runner-up finish (2003) at this facility, Coughlin has grown accustomed to long work days in the Windy City. He’s hoping Friday’s efforts and Saturday’s fine-tuning will translate to another lengthy title push on Sunday.

SCHEDULE:

Friday, Sept. 30, professional qualifying sessions are at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 1, pro qualifying continues at 12:15 and 3 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 2, pre-race ceremonies are at 10 a.m., final eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION:

Saturday, Oct. 1, ESPN2 will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at 5 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 2, ESPN2 will telecast NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute weekly news magazine show, at 11:30 a.m. (ET).
Sunday, Oct. 2, ESPN2 will televise three hours of eliminations at 8 p.m. (ET).


Additional information found at: www.teamjegs.com

Media Contact:

Scott ‘Woody’ Woodruff
Director of Media & Motorsports
Office: 800.345.4545 (3.412)
Mobile: 614.595.1820
Fax: 740.362.4385
Email: jegspr@aol.com -or- scott.woodruff@jegs.com
Web Site: www.teamjegs.com -or www.jegs.com