ANDERSON, Ind. (July 6) — Late Model Stock Car racer Cody Coughlin will be racing a familiar distance this Saturday when the 2011 JEGS/CRA All-Star Tour returns to the high-banked, quarter-mile track of Anderson Speedway for the conclusion of the rain-delayed Anderson 100 presented by JEGS.
Coughlin’s father John is a multi-time world champion drag racer, who routinely tears down quarter-mile drag strips. In fact, all three of Coughlin’s uncles are champion drag racers, as is his grandfather Jeg Coughlin Sr., the founder of JEGS Mail Order.
“When you hear ‘quarter-mile’ around here, you always think of drag racing,” said Cody, the first of the family to break tradition and race stock cars. “Drag Racing has been a big part of the Coughlin family since Pappy started racing back in the 1950s. I grew up around it and I like the sport, but somewhere along the way I decided to try something a little different. The racing gene is still there.”
It appears Cody made the right choice. He raced to a championship himself in USAC .25 Midgets in 2009 before moving to his current ride, the #1 JEGS.com Chevrolet Impala SS and joining the JEGS/CRA All-Star Tour this season.
Now, coming off a career-best fifth-place result on June 17 at Dixie Speedway that earned him the Howe Racing Rookie of the Race award, Coughlin has taken the lead in Howie Lettow Rookie of the Year point standings.
“Things are going really well,” Cody said. “We went over and raced at Sandusky Speedway over this past weekend and ended up fourth. It’s all about seat time right now and getting comfortable in the car.
“My crew chief Rich Lushes and driving coach Gary St. Amant have a plan for this team and we’re following their lead. We’re not looking at the points or the Rookie of the Year stuff, we’re just racing to the best of our abilities every time we’re on the track. That other stuff will take care of itself and if I do my job, it’ll turn out great.”
The 15-year-old from Delaware, Ohio, along with the rest of the drivers in the field, will first take part in an open practice from 5-8 p.m. Friday evening. Another practice session is scheduled for 4 p.m., Saturday, with qualifying set for 6:30 p.m. Racing action kicks off at 8 p.m.
“My dad, mom (Di), and sister (Kennedi) are coming over so I’ll have the best support a kid could ask for,” Cody said. “I may be the one driving the car but we do this as a family.”
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