Preview
NHRA
Defending champion Coughlin ready for challenges ahead
The new season is upon us.
Published: Feb 4, 2014, 8:07 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 4) -- Jeg Coughlin Jr. isn't a stranger to having a bull's-eye on his back because the affable Ohioan has won numerous Pro Stock championships in the past. As the 2014 opens this weekend in Southern California with the 54th annual Circle K NHRA Winternationals, Coughlin will once again assume the mantle of "the one to beat" in the always-competitive factory hot rod category.
Jeg Coughlin Jr.
Photo by: Team Jegs
"We are really jacked up," Coughlin said. "We're ready to start the fight, and for sure it's going to be a fight, just like every season. We're looking at the Winternationals as Step 1 of the many steps it will take to win our sixth Pro Stock championship.
"There's a definite spring in our step. We're coming off such a solid season, and obviously we ended the year on the top step of the podium, as it were, so that's kept us in high spirits throughout the off-season."
As much as Coughlin and the mechanics on his JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger race team wish to keep the momentum of their title charge going, there have been some changes at J&J Racing. Two of the more notable events were the departure of co-crew chief Jim Yates, who was replaced by Adam Hornberger, and the exit of fellow Mopar driver and teammate Vincent Nobile.
"There have been changes across the Pro Stock spectrum, not just with our team," Coughlin noted. "Lots of mergers and drivers moving around. It should be interesting to see how all these moves work out. We're down to two cars now, so the focus will be even more intense, which should be good all the way around.
"We're excited about Adam stepping up and assuming more responsibility. He and Mark (Ingersoll, crew chief) work together very well and it has been an extremely smooth transition. I think we all feel like both Allen (Johnson) and I had great cars and very good tune-ups at the end of 2013, so we're staying pretty close to where we were as a starting point for this year's campaign."
The group has made several test passes this off-season and are stopping off in Arizona for some last-minute adjustments this week.
"The cars have responded very well to what Mark and Adam have asked of them," Coughlin said. "Plus, the guys at J&J have put in countless hours finding us more horsepower. It never ends. The support from Mopar and the staff over there remains at a phenomenal level. It's our job now to go out there and win them a third straight title."
Jeg's
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
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Hagan and Beckman seeking return to championship glory in 2014
Next article Charter Communications driver Gray begins thrilling new journey in Pomona
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jeg Coughlin
Hight, Torrence are champions, Kalitta, Beckman take Pomona wins
NHRA
NHRA
Pomona II
Hight, Torrence are champions, Kalitta, Beckman take Pomona wins
Capps, Schumacher score their first wins of 2018
NHRA
NHRA
Bristol
Capps, Schumacher score their first wins of 2018
Can Millican start a winning streak?
NHRA
NHRA
Norwalk
Can Millican start a winning streak?
Latest news
GTA VI 'Vice City' blimp to appear at NASCAR championship weekend
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
52 min
GTA VI 'Vice City' blimp to appear at NASCAR championship weekend
Verstappen Racing struggles to 15th as Porsche takes emotional Portimao pole
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 1 h
Verstappen Racing struggles to 15th as Porsche takes emotional Portimao pole
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
5 h
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Gresini: New MotoGP rules won't increase gap between factory and satellite teams
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Indonesian GP
6 h
Gresini: New MotoGP rules won't increase gap between factory and satellite teams
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
Subscribe