DELAWARE, Ohio (Nov. 29) — Drag racing sportsman standout Troy Coughlin Jr. hasn't been able to sit still since concluding his best NHRA season in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, forgoing the usual rest and relaxation of the off-season to compete in the 15-day-long Winter Series in Florida.
Racing both his own JEGS.com dragster and the similar rail of his Uncle Jeg Coughlin Jr., Coughlin logged more than 100 passes in the consecutive five-day events in Immokalee, Bradenton and West Palm Beach.
"I'm happiest when I'm racing and putting in that many competitive laps in just three weeks was pretty incredible," Coughlin said. "That might have been the most racing I've done in such a short amount, but I loved it."
Coughlin's best race of the three was the Palm Beach stop, where he converted a win on Day 5 — worth $12,000 — and four other solid days of racing ,where he at least reached the fourth round each day, into an overall event victory.
In Immokalee, Coughlin scored another $12,000 win on the last day of the event to go with a runner-up result the day before.
In Bradenton, Coughlin's best finish was the semifinal round on Day 3.
"Tony Collier and Justin Beaver were with me every step of the way and even though they were extremely busy preparing two racers, they executed perfectly," Coughlin said. "We had a big year in the NHRA because of our preparation and that carried straight over to the Winter Series.
"Big thanks to Greg Cody and Rick Rossiter also, for their help back in the shop. It takes a team to race like this and I know I've got the best in the business behind me."
Coughlin's success in Florida is no surprise. He scored three Super Gas victories in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series this year, highlighted by an impressive triumph at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. The son of NHRA Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin also won the JEGS Northern SPORTSNationals NHRA national event in Columbus, Ohio, and the Division 1 race in Cecil County, Md.
"It's been a great year," Coughlin said. "I don't want it to end. I'm so humbled that my dad and mom let me do this. My dad is my hero and my mom is my biggest supporter."