NHRA

Bristol: Jeg Coughlin Jr Saturday notes

Bristol's No. 1 ranking earned by Coughlin BRISTOL, Tenn. (July 7) -- By the time Jeg Coughlin Jr. made it up to Bristol Dragway's starting line for his third qualifying pass Saturday morning, his JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt had been knocked out of ...

Published: Jul 8, 2007, 5:01 AM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Bristol's No. 1 ranking earned by Coughlin

BRISTOL, Tenn. (July 7) -- By the time Jeg Coughlin Jr. made it up to Bristol Dragway's starting line for his third qualifying pass Saturday morning, his JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt had been knocked out of the field. But unfazed by the magnitude of his do-or-die run, the three-time POWERade champion coolly drove straight down the quarter-mile with the quickest pass of the weekend -- a 6.765 at 204.05 mph -- to earn his third pole of the year and 11th of his career.

"What a thrill," Coughlin said. "I don't know that any of us expected it to be quicker today because it was certainly hotter out there, but the track has improved quite a bit, especially down at the other end, and my guys put together a perfect racecar for me. I was able to make a nice, straight run and that combination translated to a great time.

"We're in a fight right now with our two cars and the two cars from KB Racing, and once again the four of us are right there stacked up at the top of the qualifying sheet. Its great competition and I think it's safe to say they're pushing us and we're pushing them, which makes it fun when we can out-qualify them at a race here or there."

Coughlin is followed on the ladder by Greg Anderson (6.782), the only person ahead of him in the current points standings, his Cagnazzi racing teammate Dave Connolly (6.782), and reigning series champion Jason Line (6.789).

With three final-round showings and a pair of semifinal finishes in the last five events, Coughlin has established himself as the hottest driver in the Pro Stock class. He hopes to keep that streak alive Sunday when eliminations begin at noon. Coughlin's first-round opponent will be final qualifier V. Gaines, who qualified 16th overall with a 6.818 at 201.88 mph. Coughlin beat Gaines in their only race this year.

"There isn't an easy side of the ladder any more, as you can see by my first round opponent,' Coughlin said. "V.'s been running the wheels off his car this year and he's a very worthy opponent. They all are. If you can make the field, you can win the race.

"I'm extremely confident in our JEGS.com crew. They really proved something to me today and I think we have adequate data for tomorrow's runs. Hopefully, we can keep the heat on Greg and Jason and keep our two Cagnazzi cars right in the mix."

Coughlin finished the day with the quickest run of the final session. He posted a 6.786 at 203.83 mph under the most extreme conditions of the weekend.

-credit: team jegs

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Bristol: Gary Scelzi final report

Next article Bristol: Justin Humphreys Saturday notes

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

NASCAR VP explains Carson Hocevar, Josh Berry penalties

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

16 min

NASCAR VP explains Carson Hocevar, Josh Berry penalties

Colton Herta to run Cadillac FP1 in Brazil as FIA superlicense quest continues

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

17 min

Colton Herta to run Cadillac FP1 in Brazil as FIA superlicense quest continues

NASCAR issues penalties to Carson Hocevar and Josh Berry for Martinsville brake-checks

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

1 h

NASCAR issues penalties to Carson Hocevar and Josh Berry for Martinsville brake-checks

NASCAR making progress with short track show but drivers still want more

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

2 h

NASCAR making progress with short track show but drivers still want more

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts