John Coughlin Norwalk summary

Quarterfinal finish highlights John Coughlin's weekend

NORWALK, OHIO (July 1) -- Team JEGS driver John Coughlin drove his Chevy Cobalt to a quarterfinal finish in the Super Stock category during yesterday's NHRA national event in Norwalk, Ohio. Coughlin qualified in the No. 1 position in the 79-car field and won four elimination rounds before losing a close battle to Mike Walter of Paris, Ohio. Coughlin matched his dial-in time of 8.67-seconds but Walter, who went on to win the event, had the quicker reaction time on the starting line, and held on for the victory.

"It was a close race, but I just didn't have enough to beat him," said Coughlin. "Hats off to Mike, he did a heck of a job today. He was driving well and deserved to get the win.

"Sure, I don't like to get beat, but overall I'm pretty happy with the way our Jegs Mail Order Cobalt performed this weekend. This is still a new car and with each passing week, I feel more and more comfortable and while we didn't win this race, we did learn a lot and we also picked up some valuable points."

The quarterfinal finish was the best showing in four starts for Coughlin's new Cobalt, which was constructed by B&B Race Cars. His only other NHRA national event appearance resulted in a round three finish at the JEGS.com NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals in Belle Rose, La.

"I said before this race that we still have time to make a run at the national championship and I still believe it," Coughlin said. "This weekend was a good start. Now if we can just string together a few more races like this one we'll be in good shape."

-credit: team jegs