SEATTLE (June 29) — The last time the NHRA tour visited Pacific Raceways for the annual Northwest Nationals, reigning and five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. managed to reach the final round before settling for runner-up honors. This time through the 58-time national event winner plans to take things one step further and pick up his third victory of the season.
"I've said this before going into different events but we're pretty fortunate on the NHRA tour because we get to go to some really neat places and Seattle definitely is one of the best," Coughlin said. "I really enjoy going to the Pacific Northwest. The surroundings are just breath-taking and the people have a cool vibe about them. It's also a pleasant respite from the heat.
"Hats off to the team at the racetrack as well. That place has improved quite a bit over the last couple of years and we've had decent success there. I think that always makes it fun when you go back to a track where you have done well at in the past."
After clinching his spot in the Countdown to the Championship Sunday in Sonoma, Coughlin is ready to put any previous hardship behind him to focus on taking his JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Dart down the quarter-mile and winning a couple more races before the quest for six championships starts in September.
"The fans come out and have a great time, which is always fun for us as teams and as drivers," Coughlin said. "It pushes you that much more. I would really love to use the good results we've already had this year and spin it into even more positive things this coming weekend in Seattle.
"We're a great team with really good horsepower and really good cars. Everyone is marching to the same drum, it's just a matter of fine tuning each weekend to meet the conditions we find. We've been really good at that this year and I can't complain a bit about it. Let's let the clutch out Friday and see if we can't make some more great runs."
Pro Stock qualifying sessions start at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. PT, Friday, and 12:30 and 3:30 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations will start at approximately 12 p.m., Sunday with both qualifying and elimination action broadcasted on ESPN2.