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Troy Coughlin 2005 plans
Troy Coughlin - Going Forward After spending the last decade behind the wheel of the JEG'S Mail Order Pro Stock entry, Troy Coughlin will embark on a brand new chapter in his racing career in 2005 when he makes the move into the popular Pro ...
Edited: Jan 12, 2005, 12:04 PM
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Troy Coughlin - Going Forward
After spending the last decade behind the wheel of the JEG'S Mail Order Pro Stock entry, Troy Coughlin will embark on a brand new chapter in his racing career in 2005 when he makes the move into the popular Pro Mod class. Well known as the Coughlin brother with the most insatiable need for speed, Troy expects to run in the low six-second range at speeds approaching 240-mph with the supercharged Ford Mustang that he will race in the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod series.
Troy was the first of the four Coughlin brothers to turn pro when he made his Pro Stock debut in 1994. He enjoyed moderate success with two wins, ten runner-up finishes, and top ten points finishes in 1997, 1999, and 2000, but he had become increasingly frustrated with his performance in recent years. He dropped off the tour midway through the 2004 season in order to spend more time with his family, and reevaluate his racing goals.
"I can't even begin to tell you how crazy it's been in the last three years," said Coughlin. "I just felt the time had come to make a change. Pro Stock is neat, but it just didn't work for me. I'm very comfortable with my decision to leave.
"I've always wanted to race Pro Mod. In fact, a lot of people probably remember when I put nitrous oxide on my Old Cutlass Super Gas car years ago. If you've ever raced a car with nitrous or a supercharger, there is nothing like it. It throws you back in the seat and doesn't let up. That's why I'm really looking forward to racing the Mustang. It's the next best thing to racing in Top Fuel."
Troy's move to Pro Mod will have another benefit in that it will allow him to spend more time with his wife, Julie, and children, Troy Jr., Megan, Paige, and Kelly Jo.
"The AMS Pro Mod series is just 14 races, which is good for me," Troy continued. "I have a family that needs and deserves my attention. My son, TJ, is about to turn 15 and my plan is to put him into a Super Gas car this year. Megan also wants to race so we will probably go testing with her as well.
"Watching your kids race is the best feeling in the world. Now, I can understand how my dad feels watching my brothers and I race. There is nothing better than when your kids' passions are the same as yours. When TJ won his first round in his Jr Dragster that was better than any win I've had in my life."
Racing in Pro Mod for the first time, Troy should be able to make a seamless transition, thanks to the help of reigning AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod champ Mike Ashley. The two have been friends for a while and when Ashley gave Troy and opportunity to drive his Gotham City Racing Mustang last year, it was too good to pass up.
"Mike was teasing me told me that if I wanted to drive a real fast car, I should give him a call," said Troy. "I took him up on his offer and we went to a test session in Bristol and he let me make some runs. As soon as I drove that car, I was hooked. It's a lot different from the Pro Stock car -- you can't just floor the throttle and dump the clutch or it will fry the tires -- but I was comfortable in it right away."
This winter, Troy struck a deal to drive under the Mike Ashley's Gotham City Racing umbrella with continued support from JEG'S Mail Order and JEGS.com. Ashley's long time crew chief, Chuck Ford, will help Troy get up to speed in the new class.
"There are some new rules changes this year in Pro Mod and they should help the Mustang," Troy noted. "In fact, the way the class is going, I don't think it will be too long before those cars are running in the fives. That alone is reason for me to get excited this year."
-www.teamjegs.com
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