All posts by ARP Trish

Jegs Racing

Troy Coughlin Sr. eyes Indy victory as stepping stone to a third NHRA Pro Mod championship

Troy Coughlin Sr. eyes Indy victory as stepping stone to a third NHRA Pro Mod championship
INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 30) – For dyed-in-the-wool drag racers and fans, Indy is more than a place; it’s the place. Every straight-line racer dreams of hoisting the Indy “Wally” trophy toward the sky as peers and fans now gaze upon them in a forever-different light, the brilliant light where the victor of the NHRA’s Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals inhales that rare air of the winner’s circle. Continue reading Troy Coughlin Sr. eyes Indy victory as stepping stone to a third NHRA Pro Mod championship →

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing–Southern 500 Advance

Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at Darlington Raceway … Richard Childress is tied for third in all-time car owner victories with Holman-Moody and the Wood Brothers at Darlington Raceway with eight wins each. Dale Earnhardt collected all of RCR’s victories at the South Carolina-based track. In 118 collective starts, RCR boasts 22 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes at the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval with five different drivers including Clint Bowyer, Earnhardt, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman and Robby Gordon. The Welcome, North Carolina-based organization holds an average starting position of 17th, an average finishing position of 18th, has completed 36,843 of the 40,765 contested laps (90.4 percent) and has collectively led 2,606 laps.

RCR in the MENCS … In 2,810 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 48 pole awards,107 wins, 483 top-five finishes and 1,045 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.7 and an average finishing position of 16.1. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR XFINITY Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.

Support the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma … Sign up for the Childress Vineyards/RCR/ECR 5K presented by Performance Springs, Inc. benefiting the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma on Sept. 16 at 5 pm at Childress Vineyards in Lexington, N.C. The race includes a grape stomp and complimentary glass of wine afterward. You can Race and Stomp for $35 or Stomp and Support while relaxing in the pavilion at the winery for only $20.00. Register now and help Save Injured Kids at https://saveinjuredkids.org/5k/. Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Southern 500 Advance →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Darlington Advance

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
BOJANGLES SOUTHERN 500
DARLINGTON RACEWAY
DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
SEPTEMBER 3, 2017

BOWTIE BULLETS
LOCKED IN:
With only two races remaining until the 2017 Playoffs begin, Chevrolet has five drivers (Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Larson, Ryan Newman, Austin Dillon and Kasey Kahne) locked into the first round of the championship contest.  Chevy drivers Chase Elliott and Jamie McMurray are currently in points positions that could earn them a slot into the post season, but a race win at Darlington or Richmond would assure their participation as championship contenders. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Darlington Advance →

Cruz Pedregon

Cruz Pedregon–Indianapolis Advance

NHRA® Team Report

NHRA U.S. Nationals – Indianapolis

Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon is ready to show off what the Snap-on Toyota is capable of this weekend at “The Big Go.” “As a lifelong drag racing driver and fan, every race is important. But this race is as big as it gets, especially with the top 10 Playoffs spot right there for us to take,” Cruz says. “The team and I have been working long and hard for this, and with the point-and-a-half system at Indy, it’s definitely ‘go’ time for us.”

Crew Chief Aaron Brooks says, “The tuning is set; Cruz is pumped; and we want to show fans at our home track and viewers on FOX and NHRA All Access what this car is all about. It’s been one of the most competitive seasons I can remember seeing in Funny Car, and I’m excited to be a part of it this year.”

An Open House is planned at the Cruz Pedregon Racing shop at 462 Southpoint Cir # A, in Brownsburg, Thursday, August 31 from 5 until 8 p.m. The event is open to the public, and firing up the Funny Car is on the agenda.

On the side of Cruz’s car this week –

If you’ll check the side of Cruz’s car this week, you’ll see the name of Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Trey Reed. Previously a heavy equipment and airline mechanic, Trey has been a Snap-on franchisee for just over seven years and got his start after taking advice from his best friend, who is also a franchisee. His favorite part of the business is sharing his knowledge of tools with other tool lovers on his route. Trey’s also a big fan of the many programs and opportunities Snap-on offers its franchisees to help them reach their personal and career goals.

Allen Johnson Racing

Allen Johnson Equipped to Suit Up for Successful U.S. Nationals

Allen Johnson Equipped to Suit Up for Successful U.S. Nationals

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (August 29, 2017) – The biggest race of the year is upon Allen Johnson and the Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Team. Johnson reached his first U.S. Nationals final round last year and is hoping to take it one step further this season and bring home the win to Greeneville, Tennessee. Continue reading Allen Johnson Equipped to Suit Up for Successful U.S. Nationals →

Follow A Dream Racing

Permatex/Follow A Dream TA/FC team continues strong recent run, reaches semifinals at Richmond

Permatex/Follow A Dream TA/FC team continues strong recent run, reaches semifinals at Richmond

MARSTONS MILLS, Massachusetts (August 29, 2017) – The Permatex/Follow A Dream Top Alcohol Funny Car team continued its recent strong run, reaching the semifinals of this past weekend’s Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park.

The race was rescheduled from a rained-out event in April.

In its three events prior to Virginia, the Follow A Dream team won races at New Jersey’s Atco Dragway and the team’s home track, New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire, and finished runner-up at Cecil County Raceway in Maryland.

Team owner Jay Blake was hoping for a third win at VMP, but their car suffered unexpected adversity in its first round of eliminations, prompting a change of transmissions.

“We put a complete new long-block in the car prior to Virginia so we’d have a very dependable running motor on the bench for Indianapolis (the upcoming U.S. Nationals this weekend) if we had any issues,” Blake said.

“We had one pass to test the track, set up the car, test the new motor we put in and that the fuel system would be what we hoped it would be.

“We ran a 5.66 second pass and it showed it had great potential. Plus, the track was in good shape. But in the first round of eliminations, we had a bye run. The car broke the rear end right as it left the starting line.

“The team thrashed and we serviced the whole car and swapped rear ends and set it up for the next run. We got put in the left lane, which was the less-desirable lane, and basically the car spun the tires.

“We hadn’t spun the tires for several races. We never had a real good run on the track at Richmond; there was a bunch of new stuff on it and it just wasn’t our day.”

With a new trans in place, the team went back on-track and advanced to the semifinals.

However, it could not go any further when the Permatex-sponsored 2016 Chevrolet Camaro spun its tires at the starting line in its semifinal run against eventual event winner Kris Hool.

“It wasn’t what we were planning on,” Blake said.

Now, the team travels for the biggest race every season on the National Hot Rod Association national event schedule: this weekend’s (Aug. 30-Sept. 4) Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in suburban Indianapolis.

“We were fortunate in a way to get the bugs out of the way at Richmond before we get to Indy,” Blake said. “It looks like it was a parts failure. The rear end only had about 15 passes on it. But now it’s on to Indy. It’s back to business as usual. You’ve just got to go and race it.”

Blake will have two qualifying rounds on Friday and Saturday, while there are two rounds of eliminations on Sunday and the semifinal and final round of eliminations on Monday.

Even with the semifinal loss at VMP, Follow A Dream driver Phil Burkart Jr. remains seventh (402 points) in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series’ AA/FC national standings, one point out of sixth and 47 points out of fifth.

A strong run at Indianapolis could help Burkart come close to clinching the Lucas Oil East Region championship. He heads to Indy with a commanding 160-point lead over the next closest driver.

The U.S. Nationals have not been the most hospitable host to the FAD team over the years. In more than 15 starts there, the team has only reached the semifinals once.

Blake hopes to break that string of bad luck of early first round and quarterfinal exits this weekend, especially in light of its two recent wins and runner-up finish in its three races prior to VMP.

“Indy’s never been a great race for us, but like everything else, you have to put yesterday in the mirror and go forward,” Blake said. “We’ll go to Indy with what we’ve learned, hopefully the weather will be good and the track conditions will also be good, and we’ll get after it.”

Prior to the team’s race at VMP, Blake visited and gave an inspiring speech to injured military troops at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.

“That was a great visit there,” Blake said.

It was the fifth time Blake has spoken at the nation’s preeminent facility for treating soldiers injured in the line of duty.

The Follow A Dream team has been a staunch supporter of our nation’s military for more than a decade.

To illustrate that, the rear of the FAD Chevrolet Camaro carries dozens of signatures of military members who’ve visited with the team over the years.

The car also carries this saying on its rear window: “Free to dream, thanks to our troops.”

 

Wood Brothers

Motorcraft/Quick Lane Will Return to Famed Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Ford Fusion in 2018 with New Driver Paul Menard

Motorcraft/Quick Lane Will Return to Famed Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Ford Fusion in 2018 with New Driver Paul Menard

August 29, 2017

The iconic No. 21 Ford Fusion race car of Wood Brothers Racing will have a new face behind the wheel in 2018, but for 14 races it will have a very familiar look to race fans as Motorcraft and Quick Lane Tire and Auto Centers return as major sponsors of the team for the 18th season. Continue reading Motorcraft/Quick Lane Will Return to Famed Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Ford Fusion in 2018 with New Driver Paul Menard →

F4

DRIVERS IN ACTION: F4 U.S. DRIVERS DONATE RACE WINNINGS TO HURRICANE HARVEY VICTIMS

DRIVERS IN ACTION: F4 U.S. DRIVERS DONATE RACE WINNINGS TO HURRICANE HARVEY VICTIMS

Dakota Dickerson and Jordan Sherratt Pledge $1000 to American Red Cross

ALTON, VIRGINIA (Aug. 28, 2017)- Dakota Dickerson of San Diego and Jordan Sherratt of Durban, South Africa, donated a portion of their Virginia International Raceway race-winnings to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. The Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda drivers, along with a donation-match from SCCA Pro Racing, contributed $1000 to support the American Red Cross efforts to provide clean water, safe shelter and hot meals to disaster victims when they need them most. The pair both have personal ties to the areas affected by the storms. Continue reading DRIVERS IN ACTION: F4 U.S. DRIVERS DONATE RACE WINNINGS TO HURRICANE HARVEY VICTIMS →

Jegs Racing

Team JEGS Prerace Notes: 63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals

Team JEGS Prerace Notes:
63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals
Team JEGS Prerace Notes:
63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals
(Indianapolis)
August 30-Sept. 4, 2017

The JEGS Mail Order team will be well represented at this week’s 63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. will lead the effort behind the wheel of the JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Camaro in Pro Stock, his brother Troy will be competing in the J&A Service Pro Mod Series and nephew Troy Jr. is racing in the Super Comp category.

Jeg Jr. will continue his pursuit of a sixth NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock title (and seventh overall) at this weekend’s event. Jeg Jr. will be driving a Rick Jones Race Cars-built Chevy Camaro as a member of the Elite Motorsports team.

Following the most recent event in Brainerd, Minn., Jeg. Jr. enters this week’s race as the seventh-ranked driver in the Pro Stock class. So far this year, Jeg Jr. has earned runner-up finishes in Houston and Topeka to go with four semifinal results.

Jeg Coughlin Jr.
Last year, Jeg Jr. raced his first full season for the Elite team and recorded the 16th top-10 finish of his career. Jeg Jr. already has qualified for the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, which means he will record a 17th top-10 finish this season.

Jeg Jr. is teammates with two-time world champ Erica Enders, Vincent Nobile and Alex Laughlin. Veteran crew chiefs Rick Jones, Mark Ingersoll and Brian “Lump” Self are the tuners of the Elite Pro Stock cars and regularly share data.

This season, Jeg Jr. has been Pro Stock’s No. 1 qualifier in Houston, Charlotte and Bristol, Tenn. He has been the low qualifier 23 times in his career.

Jeg Jr. has won races at 24 different facilities across the United States, including Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. The only stops on the on the current NHRA Mello Yello tour where he has not won are Norwalk, Ohio, and Epping, N.H.

Jeg Jr.’s best elapsed time in a Pro Stock car is 6.484 seconds and his best speed is 214.62 mph, both recorded in Gainesville in 2014. Earlier this season in Houston, he ran a best of 6.499 seconds, his best run in the fuel injection era.

Earlier this season, Jeg Jr. became just the 10th NHRA racer to win 600 elimination rounds when reached the semifinals in Topeka. He currently has 605 round wins. The other nine drivers with 600 wins are: John Force (1,280), Warren Johnson (874), Tony Schumacher (800), Greg Anderson (745), Kenny Bernstein (682), Larry Dixon (678), Antron Brown (666), Ron Capps (663) and Doug
Kalitta (610).

Jeg Jr. has three career Pro Stock victories at Lucas Oil Raceway, having won there in 2000, 2002 and 2009. Jeg Jr. defeated Ron Krisher in the 2000 final and stopped Jim Yates in 2002 and Greg Stanfield in 2009.

In 17 career appearances at Lucas Oil Raceway Indianapolis, Jeg Jr. has a round win record of 23-13 in Pro Stock competition, making it one of his most successful tracks.

As a sportsman driver, Jeg Jr. also claimed the Super Gas title in Indy in 1992, beating Sherman Adcock Jr. in the final round. Jeg Jr. also won the prestigious Mopar Hemi Challenge at Indy in 2004, driving Michael Ogburn’s West Coast Hemi’s Barracuda to a final round win over Rick Houser.

Jeg Jr. is a five-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock champion. He earned season titles in 2000, 2002, 2007-2008 and 2013. As a sportsman driver, Jeg Jr. claimed the NHRA Super Gas championship in 1992.

Jeg Jr. is the only driver to win national event titles in seven different categories. He has won in Pro Stock, Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Top Dragster.

Jeg Jr. is the only professional racer in history to win a national event title from all 16 starting spots. During his Indy win in 2000, Jeg Jr. qualified No. 16.

With 58 Pro Stock wins in his career, Jeg Jr. ranks fourth all-time in the class. Only Warren Johnson (97), Greg Anderson (88) and Bob Glidden (85) and have more titles.

In 398 career Pro Stock races, Jeg Jr. has reached the final round 102 times, recording 58 wins. Including his 18 sportsman victories, Jeg Jr. has won a total of 76 times, good for ninth place on NHRA’s all-time list. During his career, Jeg Jr. has appeared in 126 final rounds, 102 as a professional and 24 as a sportsman racer.

During his Pro Stock career, Jeg Jr. has competed in 398 events and has a round-win record of 605-324. He has red-lighted just 22 times and failed to qualify just 16 times.

Troy Coughlin
The Indy race will mark the ninth event in the 12-race 2017 J&A Services Pro Mod Series. Two-time series champion Troy Coughlin will continue his quest for a third title behind the wheel of his turbocharged JEGS.com
C7 Corvette.

At the most recent event in Norwalk, Troy was a runner-up to Shane Molinari in a final round battle between two turbocharged entries. Troy has been to the final round of the last three Pro Mod events, recording a win in Bristol and runner-up finishes in Englishtown and Norwalk.

Troy is currently ranked No. 2 in the championship standings behind leader Mike Castellana. As a result of his recent surge, Troy is just 82 points out of first place with four events remaining.

The JEGS.com Pro Mod Corvette is tuned by noted turbocharger expert Steve Petty. With a top speed in excess of 260 mph, Troy is one of the fastest drivers in the Pro Mod class. He has also recorded a personal best elapsed time of 5.766 seconds.

Last year, Troy battled for the title until the final event of the season before finishing a close second to eventual champ Rickie Smith. He claimed three wins in Englishtown, St. Louis and the season-ending event in Las Vegas.

Last season, Troy was one of just four Pro Mod racers, along with Michael Biehle, Steven Whiteley, and Rickie Smith, who qualified for all 10 events. In 2015-16, Coughlin was the only driver to qualify for all 20 races.

Troy won his first NHRA national event title at the U.S. Nationals in 1991 when he drove his Pro Stock-style Olds to the win in Super Gas. Troy defeated Mary Ann Jackson in the final. Troy’s first Pro Mod victory came at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in New Jersey in 2005 when as he drove his supercharged Mustang to a win over Zack Barkledge in the final round.

Troy is one of the few Pro Mod competitors who have raced all three current engine combinations; turbocharged, supercharged and nitrous oxide-assisted.

Before moving to the Pro Mod class, Troy enjoyed success in the NHRA Pro Stock class, recording two wins in 12 final-round appearances. He also won the $50,000 top prize at the 2000 Winston No Bull Showdown at Bristol Dragway, a special non-points event for Pro Stock competitors.

All told, Troy has 14 NHRA national event wins in 34 final-round appearances in Pro Mod, Pro Stock and Super Gas competition.

Troy is a former National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) Pro Street champion. While racing his Pro Street car, he also won the $50,000 Big Dog event at Piedmont Dragway in Greensboro, N.C.

Troy Coughlin Jr.
Troy Jr. is a five-time NHRA national event winner and the first third-generation Coughlin to win a major event. Troy Jr. won Super Comp titles at the 2009 Las Vegas race, the 2010 U.S. Nationals and the 2013 Gainesville event. He also won a pair of national events in 2014 at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals and the JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals.

Troy Jr. was the 2013 NHRA North Central Division Super Gas champion.

During his career, Troy Jr. has appeared in nine Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional final rounds and has claimed three victories.

In addition to his success in NHRA events, Troy Jr. also is regarded as one of the sport’s best E.T. bracket racers. He has accumulated several major victories including a $25,000 payday at the Atco Dragway Superbucks event and a $10,000 win the Spring Buck Blast at South Georgia
Motorsports Park.

The Coughlin family, including John, Troy, Mike, Jeg Jr. and Troy Jr. has combined for 115 NHRA national event victories since 1990. The Coughlin’s have won in nine different eliminators including Pro Stock, Pro Stock Truck, Pro Mod, Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. Continue reading Team JEGS Prerace Notes: 63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals →

Jegs Racing

Team JEGS Prerace Notes: 63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals

Team JEGS Prerace Notes:
63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals
Team JEGS Prerace Notes:
63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals
(Indianapolis)
August 30-Sept. 4, 2017

The JEGS Mail Order team will be well represented at this week’s 63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. will lead the effort behind the wheel of the JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Camaro in Pro Stock, his brother Troy will be competing in the J&A Service Pro Mod Series and nephew Troy Jr. is racing in the Super Comp category.

Jeg Jr. will continue his pursuit of a sixth NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock title (and seventh overall) at this weekend’s event. Jeg Jr. will be driving a Rick Jones Race Cars-built Chevy Camaro as a member of the Elite Motorsports team.

Following the most recent event in Brainerd, Minn., Jeg. Jr. enters this week’s race as the seventh-ranked driver in the Pro Stock class. So far this year, Jeg Jr. has earned runner-up finishes in Houston and Topeka to go with four semifinal results.

Jeg Coughlin Jr.
Last year, Jeg Jr. raced his first full season for the Elite team and recorded the 16th top-10 finish of his career. Jeg Jr. already has qualified for the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, which means he will record a 17th top-10 finish this season.

Jeg Jr. is teammates with two-time world champ Erica Enders, Vincent Nobile and Alex Laughlin. Veteran crew chiefs Rick Jones, Mark Ingersoll and Brian “Lump” Self are the tuners of the Elite Pro Stock cars and regularly share data.

This season, Jeg Jr. has been Pro Stock’s No. 1 qualifier in Houston, Charlotte and Bristol, Tenn. He has been the low qualifier 23 times in his career.

Jeg Jr. has won races at 24 different facilities across the United States, including Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. The only stops on the on the current NHRA Mello Yello tour where he has not won are Norwalk, Ohio, and Epping, N.H.

Jeg Jr.’s best elapsed time in a Pro Stock car is 6.484 seconds and his best speed is 214.62 mph, both recorded in Gainesville in 2014. Earlier this season in Houston, he ran a best of 6.499 seconds, his best run in the fuel injection era.

Earlier this season, Jeg Jr. became just the 10th NHRA racer to win 600 elimination rounds when reached the semifinals in Topeka. He currently has 605 round wins. The other nine drivers with 600 wins are: John Force (1,280), Warren Johnson (874), Tony Schumacher (800), Greg Anderson (745), Kenny Bernstein (682), Larry Dixon (678), Antron Brown (666), Ron Capps (663) and Doug
Kalitta (610).

Jeg Jr. has three career Pro Stock victories at Lucas Oil Raceway, having won there in 2000, 2002 and 2009. Jeg Jr. defeated Ron Krisher in the 2000 final and stopped Jim Yates in 2002 and Greg Stanfield in 2009.

In 17 career appearances at Lucas Oil Raceway Indianapolis, Jeg Jr. has a round win record of 23-13 in Pro Stock competition, making it one of his most successful tracks.

As a sportsman driver, Jeg Jr. also claimed the Super Gas title in Indy in 1992, beating Sherman Adcock Jr. in the final round. Jeg Jr. also won the prestigious Mopar Hemi Challenge at Indy in 2004, driving Michael Ogburn’s West Coast Hemi’s Barracuda to a final round win over Rick Houser.

Jeg Jr. is a five-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock champion. He earned season titles in 2000, 2002, 2007-2008 and 2013. As a sportsman driver, Jeg Jr. claimed the NHRA Super Gas championship in 1992.

Jeg Jr. is the only driver to win national event titles in seven different categories. He has won in Pro Stock, Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Top Dragster.

Jeg Jr. is the only professional racer in history to win a national event title from all 16 starting spots. During his Indy win in 2000, Jeg Jr. qualified No. 16.

With 58 Pro Stock wins in his career, Jeg Jr. ranks fourth all-time in the class. Only Warren Johnson (97), Greg Anderson (88) and Bob Glidden (85) and have more titles.

In 398 career Pro Stock races, Jeg Jr. has reached the final round 102 times, recording 58 wins. Including his 18 sportsman victories, Jeg Jr. has won a total of 76 times, good for ninth place on NHRA’s all-time list. During his career, Jeg Jr. has appeared in 126 final rounds, 102 as a professional and 24 as a sportsman racer.

During his Pro Stock career, Jeg Jr. has competed in 398 events and has a round-win record of 605-324. He has red-lighted just 22 times and failed to qualify just 16 times.

Troy Coughlin
The Indy race will mark the ninth event in the 12-race 2017 J&A Services Pro Mod Series. Two-time series champion Troy Coughlin will continue his quest for a third title behind the wheel of his turbocharged JEGS.com
C7 Corvette.

At the most recent event in Norwalk, Troy was a runner-up to Shane Molinari in a final round battle between two turbocharged entries. Troy has been to the final round of the last three Pro Mod events, recording a win in Bristol and runner-up finishes in Englishtown and Norwalk.

Troy is currently ranked No. 2 in the championship standings behind leader Mike Castellana. As a result of his recent surge, Troy is just 82 points out of first place with four events remaining.

The JEGS.com Pro Mod Corvette is tuned by noted turbocharger expert Steve Petty. With a top speed in excess of 260 mph, Troy is one of the fastest drivers in the Pro Mod class. He has also recorded a personal best elapsed time of 5.766 seconds.

Last year, Troy battled for the title until the final event of the season before finishing a close second to eventual champ Rickie Smith. He claimed three wins in Englishtown, St. Louis and the season-ending event in Las Vegas.

Last season, Troy was one of just four Pro Mod racers, along with Michael Biehle, Steven Whiteley, and Rickie Smith, who qualified for all 10 events. In 2015-16, Coughlin was the only driver to qualify for all 20 races.

Troy won his first NHRA national event title at the U.S. Nationals in 1991 when he drove his Pro Stock-style Olds to the win in Super Gas. Troy defeated Mary Ann Jackson in the final. Troy’s first Pro Mod victory came at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in New Jersey in 2005 when as he drove his supercharged Mustang to a win over Zack Barkledge in the final round.

Troy is one of the few Pro Mod competitors who have raced all three current engine combinations; turbocharged, supercharged and nitrous oxide-assisted.

Before moving to the Pro Mod class, Troy enjoyed success in the NHRA Pro Stock class, recording two wins in 12 final-round appearances. He also won the $50,000 top prize at the 2000 Winston No Bull Showdown at Bristol Dragway, a special non-points event for Pro Stock competitors.

All told, Troy has 14 NHRA national event wins in 34 final-round appearances in Pro Mod, Pro Stock and Super Gas competition.

Troy is a former National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) Pro Street champion. While racing his Pro Street car, he also won the $50,000 Big Dog event at Piedmont Dragway in Greensboro, N.C.

Troy Coughlin Jr.
Troy Jr. is a five-time NHRA national event winner and the first third-generation Coughlin to win a major event. Troy Jr. won Super Comp titles at the 2009 Las Vegas race, the 2010 U.S. Nationals and the 2013 Gainesville event. He also won a pair of national events in 2014 at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals and the JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals.

Troy Jr. was the 2013 NHRA North Central Division Super Gas champion.

During his career, Troy Jr. has appeared in nine Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional final rounds and has claimed three victories.

In addition to his success in NHRA events, Troy Jr. also is regarded as one of the sport’s best E.T. bracket racers. He has accumulated several major victories including a $25,000 payday at the Atco Dragway Superbucks event and a $10,000 win the Spring Buck Blast at South Georgia
Motorsports Park.

The Coughlin family, including John, Troy, Mike, Jeg Jr. and Troy Jr. has combined for 115 NHRA national event victories since 1990. The Coughlin’s have won in nine different eliminators including Pro Stock, Pro Stock Truck, Pro Mod, Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. Continue reading Team JEGS Prerace Notes: 63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals →

Erica Enders

Native Houstonian Erica Enders heads to U.S. Nationals with her heart firmly in Texas

Native Houstonian Erica Enders heads to
U.S. Nationals with her heart firmly in Texas
INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 28) — The annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals is drag racing’s biggest event, but native Houstonian Erica Enders admits it will be hard to focus on the task at hand when the weekend arrives considering the epic devastation in her hometown.

“My heart is broken,” Enders said. “It’s impossible to get your mind around this catastrophe. I watch the news and see so many areas I know and they are under 10 feet of water. Most of the people I grew up with around the Cypress area have gotten some level of flooding. It’s going to take months
to recover.

“It’s kind of spooky because 12 years ago this week Richie (Stevens, husband) escaped to Indy after Katrina wiped out his hometown (New Orleans). Now here we are heading back to Indy and my hometown is wiped out. I feel so helpless but we are definitely going to do all we can to raise awareness to help the people of Houston.”

To that end, Enders and her sister Courtney Enders-Lambert are arranging a grassroots campaign to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey. They hope to be collecting donations and dry goods at the U.S. Nationals.

Although under the circumstances, her racing endeavors seem secondary, Enders has a few reasons to be optimistic about her chances of success at this year’s “Big Go.” The Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports team has tested extensively since the last NHRA tour stop in Brainerd, Minn., and she has a long history of success at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.

“We went straight to Tulsa with my car and my teammate Jeg Coughlin’s car and tested for three straight days,” Enders said. “We made probably 40-50 passes, working 15-plus hours every day. Jeg is taking over now and the team will be in St. Louis testing some more with Vincent Nobile and Alex Laughlin. We will arrive at Indy with lots of new data for all four Elite cars.

“I remember going to Indy in 1994 when they had the inaugural Junior Dragster championships and we were runner-up. Then you take it all the way to 2015 when I won in Pro Stock. That catapulted us to three Countdown wins and we won our second championship going away. Indy’s an historic place and we love being a part of it all.”

Pro Stock drivers can make five qualifying runs, beginning at 7:15 p.m., Friday. There will be two more sessions at 2:30 and 6:15 p.m., Saturday, and another two at 11:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., Sunday. Eliminations are slated to start at noon, Monday.

FOX Sports 1 will air live qualifying from 12-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., Sunday, and the first round of eliminations live from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday. The main FOX Network takes over from there, airing the remainder of eliminations live from 1-4 p.m., Monday. (All times are local and subject to change.)

Jegs Racing

JEGS.com sponsoring Pro Mod portion of U.S. Nationals for second straight year

JEGS.com sponsoring Pro Mod portion
of U.S. Nationals for second straight year
DELAWARE, Ohio (Aug. 28) — JEGS Mail Order will be the presenting sponsor the J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series portion of the upcoming 63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals for the second straight year. Continue reading JEGS.com sponsoring Pro Mod portion of U.S. Nationals for second straight year →

Jegs Racing

Six-time world champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. looking for ninth victory in Indianapolis

Six-time world champ Jeg Coughlin Jr.
looking for ninth victory in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 28) — Six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. has collected a whopping eight trophies on the hallowed ground of Lucas Oil Dragway in Indianapolis. He’s hoping to move that mark to nine this weekend at the 63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Continue reading Six-time world champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. looking for ninth victory in Indianapolis →

Gary Scelzi Motorsports

Scelzi Nearly Scores First Career Podium With World of Outlaws During Debut at BMP

Scelzi Nearly Scores First Career Podium With World of Outlaws During Debut at BMP

Inside Line Promotions – BILLINGS, Mont. (Aug. 28, 2017) – Dominic Scelzi was in contention for a career-best finish with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series last Saturday during the Big Sky Brawl at Billings.

Scelzi and his Roth Motorsports supported, family owned team opened the event at BMP Speedway by qualifying 16th quickest before he advanced from sixth to fourth place in a heat race.

“A couple of cars before me had run the top and did all right in qualifying,” he said. “I decided the top was the best place to go and it wasn’t. Then in the heat race not many guys passed so that felt good to move forward.”

Scelzi started the A Main on the outside of the fifth row.

“We drove from 10th to fourth and were fighting for a top three,” he said. “I made a mistake on a restart with two laps to go. I pushed a little too hard. I got in there against the cushion, which wasn’t a curb. It was a thin line of moisture. I was too straight and shipped the right rear over it and it sent me off the side. At the end of the day I was in the position to run in the top five with the World of Outlaws. It says something to me. I really believe we’re in the position for the finishes we deserve.”

Scelzi was on pace to at least tie his career-best result with the World of Outlaws before the late-race incident relegated him to a 14th -place finish during his debut at BMP Speedway.

“It was one of the raciest tracks we’ve been to,” he said. “It had a top and a bottom. The people there were great. There were so many fans there early and they were excited. It put on a phenomenal race.”

Scelzi kicked off the weekend on Friday at Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, S.D., for the Rushmore Outlaw Showdown. He timed in 15th quickest during qualifying and ended sixth in a heat race to start the main event on the outside of the ninth row.

“We tried something different for qualifying and it didn’t quite work,” he said. “Then I made a mistake in the heat race and that cost me a spot. In the main event we struggled at the beginning, but we got going in the second half. I raced with Jason Johnson for a while. It wasn’t the best performance, but we got better every time we hit the race track and we learned.”

Scelzi closed the night with a 14th-place finish.

He is slated to compete this Friday and Saturday at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Wash., for the Outlaw Energy Showdown and Monday at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash., with the World of Outlaws.

John Force Racing

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force hopes to add to family’s legacy at U.S. Nationals

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force hopes
to add to family’s legacy at U.S. Nationals

Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 28) – John Force Racing has a long, storied history in the Funny Car class of the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, winning the Big Go a record 12 times.

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force would love to add to that legacy – in the Top Fuel class.

Force has raced in the prestigious U.S. Nationals four times in Top Fuel, and she’s still looking to add her name to the legends who have won this race. But she’s been coming to the Big Go nearly all her life, watching her dad John Force win this race four times and older sister Ashley Force twice.

“Lots of memories coming here,” Force said. “We’ve been coming since we were kids. Being in the winner’s circle with my dad, my dad winning the Big Bud Shootout and celebrating in the winner’s circle with him. It’s pretty surreal that I’m here with the Monster team, and we get to compete in the Traxxas Shootout and come out here for the U.S. Nationals.

“It’s the biggest race of the year, and we’re hoping that we kick ass and end up in that winner’s circle and take home the Wally.”

The Traxxas Shootout is a non-points-paying race for Top Fuel and Funny Car held in conjunction with the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Eight drivers compete for the $100,000 first prize in each category.

The first seven winners in Top Fuel and Funny Car are automatically entered, with Force earning a spot by winning in Epping, N.H. earlier this season.

But Force is also looking beyond the Traxxas Shootout and the U.S. Nationals, as the Countdown to the Championship begins in Charlotte on Sept. 15-17.

“We’re also focused on the end of the year,” Force said. “We’re focused on the Countdown, moving up in points. We want to keep moving up that ladder and gain as many points as we can.”

The U.S. Nationals can be a grind, as obligations away from the race track often fill drivers’ schedules. But Force has the perfect sponsor, Monster Energy, to help keep her going.

“It’s tough,” Force said. “There’s so much going on. It’s doing one thing at a time and catching your breath in between. When you strap in that race car, you put everything out of your mind and focus on doing your job.”

Five qualifying sessions are scheduled for the U.S. Nationals (all times Eastern): Friday at 7:15 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

Fox Sports 1 will provide two hours of qualifying coverage (all times Eastern): Sunday at noon and 5 p.m. and two hours of live eliminations at 11 a.m. FOX will provide three hours of live eliminations at 1 p.m.

4-Second Reads:
Brittany Force has competed in four races at Indianapolis and every race since 2013, her rookie year.
Force is looking for her first victory at Indianapolis. Her best effort came in 2005, when she advanced to the semifinals.
Force is 3-4 in seven elimination-round races at Brainerd, and 2-2 in first-round matchups.
Force’s best qualifying effort came in 2016, when she qualified No. 3.
Force is currently fifth in Top Fuel points standings, and as a result has clinched a spot in the Countdown to the Championship.
In 2017, Force has one victory, a 23-16 elimination-round record, and one No. 1 qualifier. She has set the event quick elapsed time twice, and event top speed a series-high six times.
In her career, Force has four victories, 109 elimination-round wins and seven No. 1 qualifiers.
Force’s most recent NHRA victory – 2017 New England Nationals in Epping, N.H.
Force’s most recent No. 1 qualifying effort – 2017 NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Ill.
Force’s best time/speed at Indianapolis – 3.706 seconds (2016); 328.30 mph (2014)
Force’s best time/speed of career – 3.674 seconds (2017 Topeka Q3); 333.66 mph (2017 Topeka E1)

John Force Racing

PEAK Chevrolet driver John Force gunning for fifth U.S. Nationals victory

PEAK Chevrolet driver John Force
gunning for fifth U.S. Nationals victory

Above: John Force’s special Chevrolet paint scheme for the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals
Below: John Force (photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery)

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 28) – Weekend after weekend, race after race, John Force relays the message to his teams, sponsors and fans: “We’re rounding the corner, we’re getting there, and we’ll be ready for Indy.” Continue reading PEAK Chevrolet driver John Force gunning for fifth U.S. Nationals victory →

John Force Racing

Three-time U.S. Nationals winner Robert Hight ready to take Auto Club Chevy to another Indy win

Three-time U.S. Nationals winner Robert Hight
ready to take Auto Club Chevy to another Indy win

Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 28) – One victory in the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals can make a drag racer’s career.

Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car driver Robert Hight accomplished that goal in 2006, when in his second season he won the Big Go. Continue reading Three-time U.S. Nationals winner Robert Hight ready to take Auto Club Chevy to another Indy win →